HTML/DHTML web interface system and method

• US 6,691,100 B1
• Filed: 06/20/2001
• Issued: 02/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Microstrategy Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Microstrategy Incorporated
• Inventors: Ramachandran, Ramkumar, Dector, Luis A., Oliver, Arturo, Brenes, Gunther L., Alavi, Ali, Everhart, Douglas L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mizrahi, Diane D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wu, Yicun
• Application Number:
  US09/884,445
• Time in Patent Office: 965 Days
• Field of Search: 707/1, 707/2, 707/3, 707/4, 707/5, 707/6, 707/7, 707/8, 707/9, 707/10, 707/101, 707/102, 707/103.R, 717/511
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/34 Browsing; Visualisation therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99931 Database or file accessing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99932 Access augmentation or optimizing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99948 Application of database or data structure, e.g. distributed, multimedia, or image

Abstract

A web interface system and a method for use with a business information system are provided. The web interface system provides an interface to a user and comprises a first set of HTML interface tools located on a business intelligence server, the first set of HTML interface tools including spreadsheet tools, graphing tools, auto-prompt tools, and report generation and management tools. The web interface system additionally includes a second set of HTML interface tools located on a web server, the second set of HTML interface tools including navigation tools and internationalization tools. The web interface system also includes a communication link between the business intelligence server, the web server, and the user, such that the user is able to utilize the first set of HTML interface tools and the second set of HTML interface tools.

Claims

1. A web interface system for use with a business information system, the web interface system providing an interface to a user and comprising:

a first set of HTML interface tools located on a business intelligence server, the first set of HTML interface tools including at least one of spreadsheet tools, graphing tools, auto-prompt tools, and report generation and management tools, wherein the first set of HTML interface tools located on the business intelligence server obtains results through communication with a plurality of storage devices, wherein the plurality of storage devices includes cache files, object data, and data warehouse, wherein the auto-prompting tools additionally comprise DHTML tools;

a second set of HTML interface tools located on a web server, the second set of HTML interface tools including at least one of navigation tools and internationalization tools; and

means for providing communication between the business intelligence server, the web server, and the user, such that the user is able to utilize the first set of HTML interface tools and the second set of HTML interface tools.

2. The web interface system of claim 1, wherein the auto-prompting tools comprise means for enabling a client to specify filtering criteria.

3. The web interface system of claim 1, wherein the report generation and management tools comprise means for enabling the user to specify the full report to be viewed.

4. The web interface system of claim 1, wherein the report generation and management tools additionally comprise pull-down menus in HTML.

6. The web interface system of claim 1, wherein the spreadsheet tools comprise means for providing features to the user including at least one of pop-up menus for controlling drilling, outlining, sorting, and formatting options.

7. The web interface system of claim 1, further comprising additional HTML spreadsheet functions provided on the web server.

8. The web interface system of claim 1, wherein the graphing tools comprise means for generating a graph inside of the business intelligence server and creating a file for transmitting to the web server computer for insertion of the graph into HTML.

9. The web interface system of claim 1, wherein the internationalization tools comprise means for communicating in one of a plurality of languages.

10. The web interface system of claim 1, wherein the navigation tools comprise means for simultaneous display of toolbars, menus, and a grid to the user.

5. A web interface system for use with a business information system, the web interface system providing an interface to a user and comprising:

a first set of HTML interface tools located on a business intelligence server, the first set of HTML interface tools including at least one of spreadsheet tools graphing tools, auto-prompt tools, and report generation and management tools, wherein the first set of HTML interface tools located on the business intelligence server obtains results through communication with a plurality of storage devices, wherein the plurality of storage devices includes cache files, object data, and a data warehouse;

wherein the report generation and management tools comprise DHTML or HTML pivoting tools for enabling movement of attributes within an executed report;

a second set of HTML interface tools located on a web sever, the second set of HTML interface tools including at least one of navigation tools and internationalization tools; and

means for providing communication between the business intelligence server, the web server, and the user, such that the user is able to utilize the first set of HTML interface tools and the second set of HTML interface tool.

16. The web interface system of claim 5, wherein the auto-prompting tools comprise means for enabling a client to specify filtering criteria.

17. The web interface system of claim 5, wherein the report generation and management tools comprise means for enabling the user to specify the full report to be viewed.

18. The web interface system of claim 5, wherein the report generation and management tools additionally comprise pull-down menus in HTML.

19. The web interface system of claim 5, wherein the spreadsheet tools comprise means for providing features to the user including at least one of pop-up menus for controlling drilling, outlining, sorting, and formatting options.

20. The web interface system of claim 5, further comprising additional HTML spreadsheet functions provided on the web server.

21. The web interface system of claim 5, wherein the graphing tools comprise means for generating a graph inside of the business intelligence server and creating a file for transmitting to the web server computer for insertion of the graph into HTML.

22. The web interface system of claim 5, wherein the internationalization tools comprise means for communicating in one of a plurality of languages.

23. The web interface system of claim 5, wherein the navigation tools comprise means for simultaneous display of toolbars, menus, and a grid to the user.

11. A method for providing a web interface for a user through the use of a web server and a business intelligence server, the method comprising the steps of:

loading a first set of HTML interface tools on the business intelligence server, the first set of HTML interface tools including at least one of spreadsheet tools, graphing tools, auto-prompt tools, and report generation and management tools;

loading DHTML auto-prompting tools having means for enabling the user to specify filtering criteria;

providing a plurality of storage devices for communication with the first set of HTML interface tools on the business intelligence server, wherein the plurality of storage devices includes cache file, object data, and a data warehouse;

loading a second set of HTML interface tools located on the web server, the second set of HTML interface tools including at least one of navigation tools and internationalization tools; and

providing communication means between the business intelligence server, The web server, and the user, such that the user is able to utilize the first set of HTML interface tools and the second set of HTML interface tools.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of loading the first set of HTML interface tools comprises loading means for enabling the user to specify the full report to be viewed and means for providing pull-down menus in HTML.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of loading the first set of HTML interface tools comprises loading means for displaying features to the user, the features including pop-up menus for controlling drilling, outlining, sorting, and formatting options.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising loading additional HTML spreadsheet functions provided on the web server.

13. A method for providing a web interface for a user through the use of a web server and a business intelligence server, the method comprising the steps of:

loading a first set of HTML interface tools on the business intelligence server, the first set of HTML interface tools including at least one of spreadsheet tools, graphing tools, auto-prompt tools, and report generation and management tools;

loading DHTML or HTML pivoting tools for enabling movement of attributes within an executed report;

providing a plurality of storage devices for communication with the first set of HTML interface tools on the business intelligence server, wherein the plurality of storage devices includes cache files, object data, and a data warehouse;

loading a second set of HTML interface tools located on the web server, the second set of HTML interface tools including at least one of navigation tools and internationalization tools; and

providing communication means between the business intelligence server, the web server, and the user, such that the user is able to utilize the first set of HTML interface tools and the second set of HTML interface tools.

24. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of loading the first set of HTML interface tools comprises loading means for enabling the user to specify the full report to be viewed and means for providing pull-down menus in HTML.

25. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of loading the first set of HTML interface tools comprises loading means for displaying features to the user, the features including pop-up menus for controlling drilling, outlining, sorting, and formatting options.

26. The method of claim 13, further comprising loading additional HTML spreadsheet functions provided on the web server.