Graphical user interface to build event-based dynamic searches or queries using event profiles

• US 7,003,730 B2
• Filed: 03/08/2002
• Issued: 02/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Dettinger, Richard Dean, Tenner, Jeffrey Wayne, Johnson, Peter John
• Primary Examiner(s): BAUTISTA, XIOMARA L
• Application Number:
  US10/094,531
• Publication Number:
  US 20030169284A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,446 Days
• Field of Search: 715/808, 715/810, 715/835, 715/841, 715/843, 715/846, 715853-855, 715/968, 715/764, 707/3, 707/10, 707/100, 707/102, 707/103.R, 707/104.1
• US Class Current: 715/764
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2428 Query predicate definition using graphical user interfaces, including menus and forms G06F16/2423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 715/968 interface for database querying and retrieval

Abstract

The present invention generally provides methods, systems and articles of manufacture for programmatically providing a user interface for creating queries. In one embodiment, the graphical user interface comprises (i) a region for displaying conditions of a user-defined query; and (ii) a graphical element for initiating a process of applying an event profile to a first condition of the query, whereby results returned by execution of the query are restricted to those for which the first condition and a second condition defined by the event profile are contemporaneously true.

Claims

1. A method of programmatically creating event-based queries in a graphical user interface, comprising:

providing at least one predefined expression for determining a time correlation with respect to at least an event condition and a profile condition, wherein the predefined expression comprises a time expression which takes as its value a predefined timestamp representing a time of occurrence of the event condition, and wherein the profile condition is composed on the basis of the predefined expression so that the profile condition defines a time domain;

providing at least one interface screen for specifying query criteria comprising at least the event condition; and

providing at least one interface screen for specifying an event profile that defines criteria, comprising at least the profile condition, to be applied to the event condition according to the at least one predefined expression;

whereby a query is generated that restricts results retu med by execution of the query to those for which the event condition is satisfied within the time domain defined by the profile condition.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the event profile is a user-defined persistent object, and further comprising retrieving the event profile from storage in response to a user request to apply the event profile to the event condition.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the event condition and the profile condition each comprise at least one comparison operation and wherein the conditions are connected by logical operators.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the criteria defined by the event profile comprises a plurality of profile conditions to be applied to the event condition, and wherein each of the plurality of profile conditions has a corresponding predetermined expression for determining a time correlation with respect to the event condition.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising ANDing the event condition to the profile condition in response to a user-initiated activation a graphical element of the graphical user interface.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a data abstraction model logically describing physical data and wherein each condition of the event-based queries comprises a logical field corresponding to a rogical field specification of the data abstraction model.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the profile condition comprises an arithmetic operation.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the arithmetic operation comprises two or more fields.

9. A method of programmatically providing a user interface for creating queries, comprising:

providing at least one predefined expression for determining a time correlation with respect to at least an event condition and a profile condition;

wherein the predefined expression comprises a time expression which takes as its value a predefined timestamp representing a time of occurrence of the event condition, and wherein the profile condition is composed with reference to the predefined expression so that the profile condition defines a time domain; and

providing graphical user interface content that defines a graphical user interface, comprising;

(i) at least one interface screen for displaying conditions of a user-defined query, the conditions including at least the event condition; and

(ii) a graphical element for initiating a process of applying an event profile to the event condition of the query according to the at least one predefined expression, wherein the event profile defines at least the profile condition, and whereby results returned by execution of the query are restricted to those for which the event condition occurs during the time domain.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the event condition and the profile condition each comprise at least one comparison operation and wherein the conditions are connected by logical operators.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein applying the event profile to the event condition comprises ANDing the profile condition with the event condition.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the graphical user interface further comprises one or more screens for allowing a user to define the event condition and one or more screens for allowing the user to define the event profile.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the event profile is a persistent object predefined by a user and further comprising retrieving the event profile from storage when the process of applying is initiated.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the event profile defines a plurality of conditions to be applied to the event condition, and wherein each of the plurality of conditions has a corresponding predetermined expression for determining a time correlation with respect to the event condition.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the profile condition comprises an arithmetic operation.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the arithmetic operation comprises two or more fields.

17. A method of programmatically providing a user interface for creating queries, comprising:

(a) providing a plurality of predefined expressions for determining a time correlation with respect to at least an event condition and a profile condition;

wherein each predefined expression comprises a time expression which takes as its value a predefined timestamp representing a time of occurrence of the event condition, and wherein the profile condition is composed with reference to the predefined expression so that the profile condition defines a time domain;

(b) generating graphical user interface (GUI) content defining a first graphical user interface screen comprising a first graphical element for initiating a process of applying an event profile to the event condition of a user-defined query, the event profile defining the profile condition, and whereby results returned by execution of the query are restricted to those for which the event condition and the profile condition are contemporaneously true at any time;

(c) in response to a user event activating the first graphical element. generating GUI content defining a second graphical user Interface screen displaying predefined event profiles available for user selection; and

(d) in response to a user selection of the event profile from the second graphical user interface screen;

applying the profile condition to the event condition according to one of the plurality of predetermined expressions, wherein the predetermined expression Is specifically defined for a field of the profile condition; and

generating GUI content defining a third graphical user interface screen displaying the query including at least the event condition and the profile condition.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the event condition and the profile condition each comprise at least one comparison operation and wherein the conditions are connected by logical operators.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein applying the profile condition to the event condition comprises ANDing the profile condition to the event condition.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the graphical user interface further comprises one or more screens for allowing a user to define the event condition and a different one or more screens for allowing the user to define the event profile.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein executing the user-defined query comprises first transforming the user-defined query from an abstract representation to an executable representation.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein each condition of the user,defined query comprises a logical field corresponding to a logical field specification of a data abstraction model logically describing physical data, and wherein transforming comprises accessing the data abstraction model.

23. The method of claim 17, wherein the profile condition comprises an arithmetic operation.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the arithmetic operation comprises two or more fields.

25. A computer-readable storage medium containing a program which, when executed by a processor, performs an operation of programmatically providing a user interface for creating at least event-based queries, the operation comprising:

providing graphical user interface content which defines a graphical user interface, comprising;

(i) at least one region for creating elements of a user-defined query, the elements comprising an event condition and a profile condition, wherein the profile condition is a condition of an event profile and wherein the profile condition is composed with reference to a predefined time correlation expression which takes as a value a predefined timestamp representing a time of occurrence of the event condition so that the profile condition defines a time domain specific to the event condition; and

(ii) a graphical element for initiating a process of applying the event profile to the event condition;

receiving an event corresponding to user activation of the graphical element for initiating the process of applying the event profile to the event condition; and

in response to the event;

retrieving the predefined time correlation expression; and

applying the profile condition to the event condition according to the predefined time correlation expression, whereby the query is generated which, when executed, returns results limited to those which satisfy the event condition during the time domain defined by the profile condition.

26. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 25, wherein the profile condition comprises at least one of a comparison operation and a logical operator.

27. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 25, wherein the graphical element is a button.

28. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 25, wherein the event condition and the profile condition each comprise at least one comparison operation and wherein the conditions are connected by logical operators.

29. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 25, wherein applying the event profile to the event condition comprises ANDing the profile condition with the event condition.

30. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 25, wherein the region further comprises one or more screens for allowing a user to define the event condition and one or more screens for allowing the user to define the event profile.

31. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 25, wherein the event profile is a user-defined persistent object.

32. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 25, wherein executing the user-defined query comprises first transforming the user-defined query from an abstract representation to an executable representation.

33. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 25, wherein the predefined time correlation expression is specifically defined for a field of the profile condition.

34. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 33, wherein the predefined expression calculates a value for the field of the profile condition using the timestamp.

35. The computer readable storage medium of claim 25, wherein the profile condition comprises an arithmetic operation.

36. The computer readable storage medium of claim 35, wherein the arithmetic operation comprises two or more fields.

37. A computer-readable storage medium containing a program which, when executed by a processor, performs an operation of programmatically providing a user interface for creating queries, the operation comprising:

(a) providing a plurality of predefined expressions for determining a time correlation with respect to at least an event condition and a profile condition of a user-defined query, wherein the predefined expressions take as their respective values a predefined timestamp representing a time of occurrence of the event condition, the profile condition being defined by an event profile, and wherein the profile condition is composed with reference to one or more of the predefined expressions so that the profile condition defines a time domain for the event condition;

(b) generating graphical user interface (GUI) content defining a first graphical user interface screen comprising a first graphical element for initiating a process of applying the event profile to the event condition;

(c) in response to a user event activating the first graphical element, generating GUI content defining a second graphical user interface screen displaying predefined event profiles available for user selection; and

(d) in response to a user selection of the event profile from the second graphical user interface screen;

applying the event condition to the profile condition according to the referenced one or more predetermined expressions, wherein the predetermined expressions are specifically defined for a field of the event condition, whereby the query is generated which, when executed, returns results limited to those which satisfy the event condition during the time domain defined by the profile condition; and

generating GUI content defining a third graphical user interface screen displaying the query including at least the event condition and the profile condition.

38. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 37, wherein the profile condition comprises at least one of a comparison operation and a logical operator.

39. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 37, wherein the event condition and the profile condition each comprise at least one comparison operation and wherein the conditions are connected by logical operators.

40. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 37, wherein applying the event profile to the event condition comprises ANDing the event condition with the profile condition.

41. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 37, wherein the graphical user interface further comprises one or more screens for allowing a user to define the event condition and one or more screens for allowing the user to define the event profile.

42. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 37, further comprising executing the query in response to a user selection of a second graphical element defined in the third graphical user interface screen.

43. The computer readable storage medium of claim 37, wherein the profile condition comprises en arithmetic operation.

44. The computer readable storage medium of claim 43, wherein the arithmetic operation comprises two or more fields.

45. A computer, comprising:

a memory containing at least;

a graphical user interface for building queries;

an event profile defining a profile condition;

at least one predefined time correlation expression, wherein the predefined time correlation expression comprises a time expression which takes as its value a timestamp representing a time of occurrence of an event condition and wherein the profile condition is composed with reference to the predefined expression so that the profile condition defines a time domain for the event condition; and

a processor communicably connected to the memory and which performs an operation comprising;

providing graphical user interface content defining the graphical user interface, the content comprising;

(a) a region for creating conditions of a user-defined query. Including an event condition and the profile condition; and

(b) a graphical element for initiating a process of applying the event profile to the event condition;

receiving an event corresponding to user activation of the graphical element for initiating the process of applying the event profile to the event condition; and

in response to the event;

(c) retrieving the predefined time correlation expression; and

(d) applying the profile condition to the event condition according to the predefined time correlation expression, whereby the query is generated which, when executed, returns results limited to those which satisfy the event condition during the time domain defined by the profile condition.

46. The computer of claim 45, wherein the processor uses the predefined time correlation expression to calculate a value for the profile condition using the timestamp.

47. The computer of claim 45, wherein the predefined time correlation expression is specifically defined for a field of the profile.

48. The computer of claim 45, wherein the predefined expression calculates a value for the field of the profile condition using the timestamp corresponding to the event condition.

49. The computer of claim 45, wherein the profile condition comprises an arithmetic operation.

50. The computer of claim 49, wherein the arithmetic operation comprises two or more fields.

51. A graphical user interface to a search capability of a database, comprising:

a first graphical element for creating an event condition;

a second graphical element for creating an event profile, the event profile comprising a profile condition and a selection of a predefined expression for determining a time correlation between the profile condition and the event condition, wherein the predefined expression comprises a time expression which takes as its value a predefined timestamp representing a time of occurrence of the event condition, and wherein the profile condition is composed with reference to the predefined expression so that the profile condition defines a time domain; and

a third graphical element for initiating application of the profile condition to the event condition according to the selected predefined expression, whereby the query is generated which, when executed, returns results limited to those which satisfy the event condition during the time domain defined by the profile condition.

52. The graphical user interface of claim 51, wherein the profile condition is user-specified and the predefined expression is programmatically selected.

53. The graphical user interface of claim 51, wherein the profile condition comprises a predefined field specification and a user-specified value and wherein the predefined field specification has a programmatically defined relationship with the predefined expression.

54. The graphical user interface of claim 51, wherein, for a given record in the database satisfying the event condition, the predefined expression determines a temporal proximity to a field of the profile condition.

55. The graphical user interface of claim 51, wherein the profile condition comprises an arithmetic operation.

56. The graphical user Interface of claim 55, wherein the arithmetic operation comprises two or more fields.

57. A method of programmatically generating event based search queries in a graphical user interface, comprising

receiving an event condition;

receiving an event profile, the event profile being a predefined object comprising at least one profile condition based on a predefined expression, which takes as a value a timestamp of each record in a database satisfying the event condition; and

applying the profile condition to the event condition according to the selected predefined expression to generate a query which, when executed, returns results limited to those which satisfy the event condition during a time domain defined by the profile condition.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein the profile condition comprises an arithmetic operation.

59. The method of claim 58, wherein the arithmetic operation comprises two or more fields.