System and method for classifying and retrieving information with virtual object hierarchy

• US 6,199,059 B1
• Filed: 04/22/1998
• Issued: 03/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: JDA Software Group Incorporated (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: International Computex, Inc.
• Inventors: Dahan, Haim E., Galvin, Michael Jeffrey
• Primary Examiner(s): HOMERE, JEAN RAYMOND
• Application Number:
  US09/063,680
• Time in Patent Office: 1,049 Days
• Field of Search: 707/3, 707/4, 707/103, 707/102
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2423 Interactive query statement specification based on a database schema
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/256 in federated or virtual databases
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99934 Query formulation, input preparation, or translation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99944 Object-oriented database structure

Abstract

Three-tier virtual classification model including search schemas, virtual object hierarchy, and databases to find existing components. A virtual object hierarchy is created with objects corresponding to different categories such as electrical or mechanical components. Each object category also has a plurality of associated categories such as a bolt or resistor. Each category has associated attributes such as length, width, cost, and color. Attributes are linked to tables columns in target databases. Search schemas are created by selecting objects and attributes from the object hierarchy. The search is carried out by accessing the database columns linked to the objects and attributes in the search schemas.

Claims

1. An information classification and retrieval system including:

means for creating a virtual object hierarchy, each virtual object in the hierarchy having

means for creating search schemas;

means for mapping at least some of the virtual objects in the virtual object hierarchy to database columns in a database, wherein the means for mapping includes;

means for selecting a target database;

means for obtaining column identifiers from the selected target database;

means for displaying the column identifiers and the attributes from the virtual objects;

means for linking the column identifiers and the attributes; and

means for storing a map based on the linked column identifiers and the attributes, means for searching the database using at least one of the search schemas;

means for selecting search schemas using the virtual object hierarchy; and

means for adding additional search limitations to the search schemas.

2. A method of classifying and retrieving information including the steps of:

creating a virtual object hierarchy, each virtual object in the hierarchy having attributes;

creating search schemas;

mapping at least some of the virtual objects in the virtual object hierarchy to database columns in a database, wherein the step of mapping includes the steps of;

selecting a target database;

obtaining column identifiers from the selected target database;

displaying the column identifiers and the attributes from the virtual objects;

linking the column identifiers and the attributes; and

storing a map based on the linked column identifiers and the attributes, searching the database using at least one of the search schemas;

selecting search schemas using the virtual object hierarchy; and

adding additional search limitations to the search schemas.