Dynamic graphical database query interface
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising:
- at least one processor;
a memory coupled to the at least one processor;
a database residing in the memory; and
a graphical query interface residing in the memory and executed by the at least one processor, the graphical query interface displaying in a first window a graphical representation of a plurality of user-selectable icons, each user-selectable icon corresponding to a column defined in the database, the graphical representation including at least one line connecting the plurality of user-selectable icons to represent at least one relationship between columns in the database represented by two of the plurality of icons connected by a line, and in response to a user selection of an icon in the graphical representation corresponding to a first column in a first step in building a query, the graphical query interface altering the graphical representation to make at least one icon corresponding to at least one different column in the graphical representation unavailable for selection by the user in a subsequent step in building the query according to at least one predefined rule for the first column that specifies at least one restriction between the first column and the at least one different column, the graphical query interface during display of the graphical representation in the first window further displaying in a second window at least one selectable value corresponding to values in the database corresponding to the first column.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A graphical query interface provides visual feedback to a user during the construction of a query. In a first embodiment, the visual feedback helps the user determine the quality of the query as the query is being built. The relationship of columns in the database is graphically displayed to a user. When the user selects a column in the database, a filtered display mechanism displays only those columns or records that satisfy the portion of the query already constructed. In a second embodiment, the visual feedback eliminates some possible selections in the query tree due to previously-made selections that eliminate the eliminated selections as possibilities. In the second embodiment, the visual feedback mechanism may function according to data values in columns, and may also function according to known relationships between columns themselves.
109 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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at least one processor; a memory coupled to the at least one processor; a database residing in the memory; and a graphical query interface residing in the memory and executed by the at least one processor, the graphical query interface displaying in a first window a graphical representation of a plurality of user-selectable icons, each user-selectable icon corresponding to a column defined in the database, the graphical representation including at least one line connecting the plurality of user-selectable icons to represent at least one relationship between columns in the database represented by two of the plurality of icons connected by a line, and in response to a user selection of an icon in the graphical representation corresponding to a first column in a first step in building a query, the graphical query interface altering the graphical representation to make at least one icon corresponding to at least one different column in the graphical representation unavailable for selection by the user in a subsequent step in building the query according to at least one predefined rule for the first column that specifies at least one restriction between the first column and the at least one different column, the graphical query interface during display of the graphical representation in the first window further displaying in a second window at least one selectable value corresponding to values in the database corresponding to the first column. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A computer-readable program product comprising:
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(A) a graphical query interface that displays to a user in a first window a graphical representation of a plurality of user-selectable icons, each user-selectable icon corresponding to a column defined in the database, the graphical representation including at least one line connecting the plurality of user-selectable icons to represent at least one relationship between columns in the database represented by two of the plurality of icons connected by a line, and in response to a user selection of an icon in the graphical representation corresponding to a first column in a first step in building a query, the graphical query interface altering the graphical representation to make at least one icon corresponding to at least one different column in the graphical representation unavailable for selection by the user in a subsequent step in building the query according to at least one predefined rule for the first column that specifies at least one restriction between the first column and the at least one different column, the graphical query interface during display of the graphical representation in the first window further displaying in a second window at least one selectable value corresponding to values in the database corresponding to the first column; and (B) recordable media bearing the graphical query interface. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A computer-implemented method for a user to build a query to a database, the method comprising the steps of:
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displaying to the user in a first window a graphical representation of a plurality of user-selectable icons, each user-selectable icon corresponding to a column defined in the database, the graphical representation including at least one line connecting the plurality of user-selectable icons to represent at least one relationship between columns in the database represented by two of the plurality of icons connected by a line; in response to the user selection of an icon in the graphical representation corresponding to a first column in a first step in building the query, altering the graphical representation to make at least one icon corresponding to at least one different column in the graphical representation unavailable for selection by the user in a subsequent step in building the query according to at least one predefined rule for the first column that specifies at least one restriction between the first column and the at least one different column; and during display of the graphical representation in the first window, displaying in a second window at least one selectable value corresponding to values in the database corresponding to the first column. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification