Search-on-the-fly/sort-on-the-fly search engine for searching databases

• US 9,507,835 B2
• Filed: 12/17/2015
• Issued: 11/29/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Vilox Technologies LLC (Joseph L. De Bellis)
• Original Assignee: Vilox Technologies LLC (Joseph L. De Bellis)
• Inventors: De Bellis, Joseph L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ly, Cheyne D
• Application Number:
  US14/972,587
• Publication Number:
  US 20160103895A1
• Time in Patent Office: 348 Days
• Field of Search: 707/736, 707/758, 707/752, 715/825
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/23 Updating
• 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 16/24537 of operators
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2455 Query execution
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/24575 using context
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/248 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9535 Search customisation based on user profiles and personalisation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9538 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34

Abstract

A processor-implemented method for accessing data from a data source includes using search-on-the-fly to displaying an initial view of the data source. The initial view includes, as a first data field result list, a dynamically-determined set of first available data fields upon which a data query may be run. The method further includes executing data queries by executing a search-on-the-fly operation. The search-on-the-fly operation includes receiving a first selection of one of the first available data fields and displaying as a first data element result list, a first set of available data elements of the selected first available data field. The method still further includes executing a sort-on-the-fly operation by receiving a sort-on-the-fly command and displaying a second view of the data source. The second view includes as a second data field result list of all data fields from the initial view except the selected first available data field. Finally, the method includes repeating search-on-the-fly and sort-on-the-fly operations until a desired data query result is achieved.

Claims

1. A method implemented on a suitably programmed processing device for accessing data from a data source, comprising:

using search-on-the-fly, displaying, by a processor, an initial view of the data source, the initial view comprising as a first data field result list, a dynamically-determined set of first available data fields upon which a data query may be run; and

executing data queries, comprising;

executing a search-on-the-fly operation, comprising;

receiving a selection of a first data field from the first available data fields; and

displaying as a first data element result list, a first set of available data elements of the selected first data field,

executing a sort-on-the-fly operation, comprising;

displaying a sort-on-the-fly option;

receiving a sort-on-the-fly command from a selection of the sort-on-the-fly option, wherein the selection generates a second view comprising as a decremented data field result list, all data fields from the initial view except the selected first available data field; and

displaying the second view of the data source, and

repeating search-on-the-fly and sort-on-the-fly operations until a desired data query result is achieved.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one data query is broadening.

3. The method of claim 1, comprising displaying each of the search-on-the-fly operations and each of the sort-on-the-fly operations in an interface available to a user.

4. The method of claim 3, comprising truncating results of at least one of the data queries based on a display capability of the interface.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein repeating search-on-the-fly operations comprises:

receiving a subsequent constraint; and

applying the subsequent constraint to a most recent data element result list.

6. The method of claim 5, comprising:

displaying a list of possible constraints; and

receiving the subsequent constraint as a selection from the list.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the subsequent constraint is a data field selection from the second data field result list.

8. The method of claim 5, comprising receiving the subsequent constraint as a keyword entry.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the keyword entry is one of a text entry and an icon entry.

10. The method of claim 1, comprising executing a refresh operation, comprising:

receiving a refresh command;

determining at what view of the data source to apply the refresh operation; and

deleting query results subsequent to the determined view.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the data source comprises multiple databases.

12. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having encoded thereon machine instructions executable by a processor for accessing data from a data source, wherein executing the machine instructions causes the processor to:

use search-on-the-fly, display an initial view of the data source, the initial view comprising as a first data field result list, a dynamically-determined set of first available data fields upon which a data query may be run; and

execute data queries, comprising;

execute a search-on-the-fly operation, wherein the processor;

receives a selection of a first data field from the first available data fields; and

displays as a first data element result list, a first set of available data elements of the selected first data field,

execute a sort-on-the-fly operation, wherein the processor;

displays a sort-on-the-fly option;

receives a sort-on-the-fly command from a selection of the sort-on-the-fly option, wherein the selection generates a second view comprising as a decremented data field result list, all data fields from the initial view except the selected first available data field; and

displays the second view of the data source, and

repeats search-on-the-fly and sort-on-the-fly operations until a desired data query result is achieved.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 12, wherein at least one of the data queries is broadening.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 12, comprising the processor displaying each of the search-on-the-fly query operations and each of the sort-on-the-fly operations in an interface available to a user.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 14, comprising the processor truncating results of at least one of the data queries based on a display capability of the interface.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 12, wherein repeating search-on-the-fly operations comprises:

receiving a subsequent constraint; and

applying the subsequent constraint to a most recent data element result list.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 16, comprising the processor:

displaying a list of possible constraints; and

receiving the subsequent constraint as a selection from the list.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein the subsequent constraint is a data field selection from the second data field result list.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 16, comprising the processor receiving the subsequent constraint as a keyword entry.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein the keyword entry is one of a text entry and an icon entry.

21. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 12, comprising the processor executing a refresh operation, wherein the processor:

receives a refresh command;

determines at what view of the data source to apply the refresh operation; and

deletes query results subsequent to the determined view.