SEARCH FORMULATION USER INTERFACE

• US 20020059297A1
• Filed: 05/24/1999
• Published: 05/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: VOGELSANG, JULIA, SCHIRMER, ANDREW
• Granted Patent: US 6,768,997 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/104.1
• 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 system for creating a search query for searching a database including at least one field, comprising:

a display; and

an input receiving object for enabling a user to selectively input search parameters using the display for searching the at least one field of the database, wherein the display further comprises;

at least one block;

at least two sub-blocks;

at least one logical operator located between the at least two sub-blocks;

and wherein a relative position of the at least one block and the at least two sub-blocks determines the search query.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a field determining object that determines searchable fields within the database.

3. The system of claim 2, further comprising a tile presenting object that presents the searchable fields as selectable tiles.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a field arranging object that enables a user to arrange the at least one block and the at least two sub-blocks.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one block and the at least two sub-blocks are auto-expandable.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one block and the at least two sub-blocks are auto-collapsible.

7. A system for creating a search query for searching a database including at least one field comprising:

display means for displaying a graphical user interface;

input means for enabling a user to selectively input search parameters, using the display means, for searching the at least one field of the database, wherein the display means further comprises;

receiving means for receiving the search parameters;

arranging means for arranging the search parameters in a graphical format;

applying means for applying at least one logical operation to two or more of the search parameters; and

and wherein a relative position of the search parameters determines the search query to be applied to the at least one field of the database.

8. The system of claim 7, further comprising determining means for determining searchable fields of a database.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising presenting means for presenting the searchable fields as selectable tiles.

10. The system of claim 7, further comprising rearranging means for enabling a user to rearrange the search parameters.

11. A method for creating a query comprising the steps of:

presenting a graphical user interface;

enabling a user to selectively input search parameters using the graphical user interface;

wherein the step of presenting further comprises the steps of;

receiving the search parameters;

arranging the search parameters in a graphical format; and

applying at least one logical operation to the search parameters;

and wherein a relative position of the search parameters and the at least one logical operator determines the search query to be applied to the at least one field of the database.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of determining searchable fields of a database.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of presenting the searchable fields as selectable tiles.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of enabling a user to rearrange the search parameters.

16. The computer usable medium of claim 15, further comprising computer readable program code for causing a computer to determine searchable fields of a database.

17. The computer usable medium of claim 16, further comprising computer readable program code for causing a computer to present the searchable fields as selectable tiles.

18. The computer usable medium of claim 15, further comprising computer readable program code for causing a computer to enable a user to rearrange the search parameters.

15. A computer useable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein for creating a search query, the computer readable program code comprising:

computer readable program code for causing a computer to present a graphical user interface;

computer readable program code for causing a computer to enable a user to selectively input search parameters;

wherein the computer readable code for causing a computer to present a display further comprises;

receiving the search parameters;

arranging the search parameters in a graphical format; and

applying at least one logical operation to the search parameters.