System and method for creating a search query using movable elements in a graphical user interface

• US 6,768,997 B2
• Filed: 05/24/1999
• Issued: 07/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Schirmer, Andrew, Vogelsang, Julia
• Primary Examiner(s): CHANNAVAJJALA, SRIRAMA T
• Application Number:
  US09/317,184
• Publication Number:
  US 20020059297A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,891 Days
• Field of Search: 345/333, 345/334, 345/339, 345/968, 345/766, 345/846, 345/856, 345/836-835, 345/866, 707/1-8, 707/9, 707/505-508, 707/100-104, 707/200-201
• US Class Current: 707/779
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2428 Query predicate definition using graphical user interfaces, including menus and forms G06F16/2423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9032 Query formulation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99931 Database or file accessing
• 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 707/99935 Query augmenting and refining, e.g. inexact access
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99937 Sorting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 715/968 interface for database querying and retrieval

Abstract

A system and method for creating a Boolean search query. The system includes a field determining object which determines searchable fields of a database. The fields may be arranged as selectable tiles in a view for selection by a user. A user may select a particular tile for including in a search query using a field selecting object. A field arranging object may be used to arrange the tiles selected as blocks in a graphical display of a search query. The relative position of the blocks determines any Boolean logical operation(s) to be performed. Boolean operators may also be displayed in the view for selection by the user.

Claims

1. A method for enabling a user to create a search query for searching a database, comprising:

providing a first block and a second block in a graphical user interface, said first block including a first user movable tile and said second block including a second user movable tile, each of said first user movable tile and said second user movable tile corresponding to at least one searchable field in the database;

in response to a user moving said first user movable tile of said first block relative to second user movable tile of said second block,

providing a corresponding change in a relative position of said first block with respect to said second block, and

automatically changing a logical operation between said first block and said second block from a first logical operation to a second logical operation based on said change in said relative position;

enabling a user to input a first search term in said first block and a second search term in said second block; and

automatically generating a searching query for searching the database, wherein the search query includes the second logical operation between the inputted first search term and the inputted second search term.

2. A method for enabling a user to create a search query for searching a database, comprising:

providing a first block and a second block in a graphical user interface, said first block including a first sub-block, and said second block including a second sub-block, said first sub-block including a first user movable tile and said second sub-block including a second user movable tile, each of said first user movable tile and said second user movable tile corresponding to at least one searchable field in the database;

in response to a user moving said first user movable tile of said first sub-block relative to said second user movable tile of said second sub-block,

determining a relative position of said first sub-block with respect to said second sub-block, and

automatically assigning a logical operation between said first sub-block and said second sub-block based on the determined relative position of said first sub-block with respect to said second sub-block;

enabling a user to input a first search term in said first sub-block and a second search term in said second sub-block; and

automatically generating a searching query for searching the database, wherein the search query includes the assigned logical operation between the inputted first search term and the inputted second search term.

3. A method for receiving and processing search queries for searching a database, comprising:

providing a plurality of tiles in a graphical user interface (GUI), each corresponding to a searchable field in the database, said plurality of tiles able to be dragged and dropped with the GUI;

providing a first block in a graphical user interface, said first block corresponding to one or more search query terms, said first block able to receive at least one of said plurality of tiles, said first block having at least one sub-block for specifying a value for at least one search query term for searching against the corresponding searchable field of the at least one of said plurality of tiles;

providing a second block in a graphical user interface, said second block corresponding to one or more search query terms, said second block able to receive at least one of said plurality of tiles, said second block having at least one sub-block for specifying a value for at least one search query term for searching against the corresponding searchable field of the at least one of said plurality of tiles;

enabling a user to drag one tile relative to another tile of said plurality of tiles; and

in response to a user dragging said one tile to a first position relative to said another tile, identifying a first logical operation between search query terms for corresponding searchable fields of said one tile and said another tile, and to a second position relative to said another tile, identifying a second logical operation between search query terms for corresponding searchable fields of said one tile and said another tile.

4. A method for enabling a user to create a search query for searching a database, comprising:

providing a first block in a graphical user interface, said first block including a first user movable tile;

providing a second block in a graphical user interface, said second block including a second user movable tile, wherein each of said first user movable tile and said second user movable tile corresponding to at least one searchable field in the database;

enabling a user to move said first user movable tile of said first block and second user movable tile of said second block;

in response to a user moving said first user movable tile of said first block relative to second user movable tile of said second block, determining a relative position of said first block with respect to said second block;

automatically identifying a logical operation between said first block and said second block based on the determined relative position of said first block with respect to said second block without further user input;

enabling a user to input a first search term in said first block and a second search term in said second block; and

automatically generating a search query for searching the database, wherein the search query includes the identified logical operation between the inputted first search term and the inputted second search term.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the user moving said first user movable tile of said first block to a position horizontal to said second user movable tile of said second block identifies a first logical operation.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the user moving said first user movable tile of said first block to a position vertical to said second user movable tile of said second block identifies a second logical operation.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein said first search term includes a search parameter corresponding to said at least one searchable field.

8. The method of claim 4, wherein said second search term includes a search parameter corresponding to said at least one searchable field.

9. The method of claim 4, wherein the moving of said first user movable tile and said second user movable tile is by dragging.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein one of said first user movable tile and said second user movable tile can be dragged and dropped more than once onto one of said first block and said second block for the same search.

11. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of creating a sub-block comprising at least one input box in response to a user moving one of said first user movable tile and said second user movable tile into one of said first block and said second block.

12. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of displaying on each of said first and second user movable tiles an identifier that identifies said at least one searchable field.

13. A system for enabling a user to create a search query for searching a database, comprising:

means for providing a first block in a graphical user interface, said first block including a first user movable tile;

means for providing a second block in a graphical user interface, said second block including a second user movable tile, wherein each of said first user movable tile and said second user movable tile corresponding to at least one searchable field in the database;

means for enabling a user to move said first user movable tile of said first block and second user movable tile of said second block;

a determining means that determines a relative position of said first block with respect to said second block, in response to a user moving said first user movable tile of said first block relative to second user movable tile of said second block;

a identifying means that identifies a logical operation between said first block and said second block based on the determined relative position of said first block with respect to said second block without further user input;

means for enabling a user to input a first search term in said first block and a second search term in said second block; and

means for automatically generating a searching query for searching the database, wherein the search query includes the identified logical operation between the inputted first search term and the inputted second search term.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the identifying means identifies a first logical operation after user moving said first user movable tile of said first block to a position horizontal to said second user movable tile of said second block.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the identifying means identifies a second logical operation after user moving said first user movable tile of said first block to a position vertical to said second user movable tile of said second block.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein said first search term includes a search parameter corresponding to said at least one searchable field.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein said second search term includes a search parameter corresponding to said at least one searchable field.

18. The system of claim 13, the moving of said first user movable tile and said second user movable tile is by dragging.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein one of said first user movable tile and said second user movable tile can be dragged and dropped more than once onto one of said first block and said second block for the same search.

20. The system of claim 13, further comprising means for creating a sub-block comprising at least one input box in response to a user moving one of said first user movable tile and said second user movable tile into one of said first block and said second block.

21. The system of claim 13, further comprising means for displaying on each of said first and second user movable tiles an identifier that identifies said at least one searchable field.

22. A system for enabling a user to create a search query for searching a database, comprising:

a module for providing a first block in a graphical user interface, said first block including a first user movable tile;

a module for providing a second block in a graphical user interface, said second block including a second user movable tile, wherein each of said first user movable tile and said second user movable tile corresponding to at least one searchable field in the database;

a module for enabling a user to move said first user movable tile of said first block and second user movable tile of said second block;

a determining module that determines a relative position of said first block with respect to said second block, in response to a user moving said first user movable tile of said first block relative to second user movable tile of said second block;

a identifying module that identifies a logical operation between said first block and said second block based on the determined relative position of said first block with respect to said second block without further user input;

a module for enabling a user to input a first search term in said first block and a second search term in said second block; and

a module for automatically generating a searching query for searching the database, wherein the search query includes the identified logical operation between the inputted first search term and the inputted second search term.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the identifying module identifies a first logical operation after user moving said first user movable tile of said first block to a position horizontal to said second user movable tile of said second block.

24. The system of claim 22, wherein the identifying module identifies a second logical operation after user moving said first user movable tile of said first block to a position vertical to said second user movable tile of said second block.

25. The system of claim 22, wherein said first search term includes a search parameter corresponding to said at least one searchable field.

26. The system of claim 22, wherein said second search term includes a search parameter corresponding to said at least one searchable field.

27. The system of claim 22, wherein the moving of said first user movable tile and said second user movable tile is by dragging.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein one of said first user movable tile and said second user movable tile may dragged and dropped more than once onto one of said first block and said second block for the same search.

29. The system of claim 22, further comprising a module for creating a sub-block comprising at least one input box in response to a user moving one of said first user movable tile and said second user movable tile into one of said first block and said second block.

30. The system of claim 22, further comprising means for displaying on each of said first and second user movable tiles an identifier that identifies said at least one searchable field.

31. A computer program product for enabling a user to create a search query for searching a database, the computer program product being embodied in a computer readable medium and comprising computer instructions for:

providing a first block in a graphical user interface, said first block including a first user movable tile;

providing a second block in a graphical user interface, said second block including a second user movable tile, wherein each of said first user movable tile and said second user movable tile corresponding to at least one searchable field in the database;

enabling a user to move said first user movable tile of said first block and second user movable tile of said second block;

in response to a user moving said first user movable tile of said first block relative to second user movable tile of said second block, determining a relative position of said first block with respect to said second block;

automatically identifying a logical operation between said first block and said second block based on the determined relative position of said first block with respect to said second block without further user input;

enabling a user to input a first search term in said first block and a second search term in said second block; and

automatically generating a searching query for searching the database, wherein the search query includes the identified logical operation between the inputted first search term and the inputted second search term.

32. The computer program product of claim 31, wherein the user moving said first user movable tile of said first block to a position horizontal to said second user movable tile of said second block identifies a first logical operation.

33. The computer program product of claim 31, wherein the user moving said first user movable tile of said first block to a position vertical to said second user movable tile of said second block identifies a second logical operation.

34. The computer program product of claim 31, wherein said first search term includes a search parameter corresponding to said at least one searchable field.

35. The computer program product of claim 31, wherein said second search term includes a search parameter corresponding to said at least one searchable field.

36. The computer program product of claim 31, wherein the moving of said first user movable tile and said second user movable tile is by dragging.

37. The computer program product of claim 36, wherein one of said first user movable tile and said second user movable tile can be dragged and dropped more than once onto one of said first block and said second block for the same search.

38. The computer program product of claim 31, further comprising computer instructions for creating a search query.

39. The computer program product of claim 31, further comprising computer instructions for creating a sub-block comprising at least one input box in response to a user moving one of said first user movable tile and said second user movable tile into one of said first block and said second block.

40. The computer program product of claim 31, further comprising computer instructions for displaying on each of said first and second user movable tiles an identifier that identifies said at least one searchable field.

41. A method for receiving and processing search queries for searching a database, the method comprising:

providing a plurality of user movable tiles, each of said plurality of user movable tiles including its own data;

providing a first block in a graphical user interface, said first block including one or more of said plurality of user movable tiles;

providing a second block in a graphical user interface, said second block including one or more of said plurality of user movable tiles;

enabling a user to drag at least one user movable tile of said plurality of user movable tiles and drop into one of said first and second block; and

in response to user dragging said at least one user movable tile and dropping into said first block,

identifying a first logical operation between data of the dropped said at least one user movable tile and data of each other user movable tile in said first block, and

identifying a second logical operation between data of each user movable tile in said first block and data of each user movable tile in said second block.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein said first logical operation is identified based on a relative position of said at least one user movable tile with respect to said each other user movable tile in said first block.

43. The method of claim 41, wherein said second logical operation is identified based on a relative position of said each user movable tile in said first block with respect to said each user movable tile in said second block.