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Method and apparatus for displaying data models and data-model instances

  • US 7,904,478 B2
  • Filed: 01/25/2008
  • Issued: 03/08/2011
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2008
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method for displaying a data model, the method comprising:

  • generating a model graph visualization to represent the data model and an instance graph visualization to represent an instance of the data model, wherein the data model includes entities which are related by relationships, wherein a vertex represents an entity in the model graph visualization or an entity instance in the instance graph visualization, and wherein an edge represents a relationship in the model graph visualization or a relationship instance in the instance graph visualization;

    concurrently displaying the model graph visualization and the instance graph visualization to a user;

    receiving a first request from the user to query a relationship between a first entity and a second entity in the data model, wherein the first request comprises selecting an edge in the displayed model graph visualization by the user;

    in response to the received first request, determining, by using at least a computer, paths in the displayed instance graph visualization between a first vertex which represents a first entity instance and a second vertex which represents a second entity instance, wherein each determined path in the displayed instance graph visualization represents an alternating sequence of entity instances and relationship instances in the instance of the data model; and

    highlighting the determined paths in the displayed instance graph visualization to the user for exploring how the first entity and the second entity are related to one another in the data model.

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