EP0286110A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Outline-driven database editing and retrieval system
Assignee: CROWNINSHIELD SOFTWARE
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Filing: 1988-04-08
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2008-04-08
Abstract
Abstract A relational database is created and queried through the use of an outliner-style text editor which permits automatic generation of data entry forms for the creation of records. Data entry and editing are simplified and errors are minimized because changes in the outline are automatically reflected in the data entry forms and thus the automatically updated records. Data retrieval is driven through the manipulation of the outline to allow simple and complex queries without utilizing a database programming language. A specialized global field is utilized in which identical field names may be repetitively inserted into several databases. In the data entry mode, a global value can be set and that value is automatically inserted into each database record containing that global field as they are created so that relations are made automatically within the various databases. In the data retrieval mode, the global field can be used to control the display of the outline to truncate the outline to only those categories and fields containing data for a specific global field value, thereby to display only relevant outline portions. A field mapper allows the operator to immediately see the changes in the outline and direct old fields to new names or positions and indicate new fields which are to be inserted into the existing records, all prior to execution of the changed outline in terms of data entry. The query mode features a continually displayed outline in an Outline Window. Criteria are specified in a Criteria Window in which one or more fields are assigned specific search values. Records matching the criteria are displayed in a Response Window. For an outline-wide word occurrence search, areas of the outline which include an occurrence of the word are highlighted. I
Inventors
- 👤 Mary Lynn Davis
- 👤 David Rose
- 👤 Michael D. Barrow
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 21:10
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/20; G06F16/28; G06F16/284; G06F40/00; G06F40/10; G06F40/166; G06F40/186; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99941; Y10S707/99943
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
53 words
In a relational database management system, means for defining a relational database including an outliner for defining an outline of the structure of the database; and, means for automatically generating category definitions from the output of said outliners, and for displaying the outline defined by said outliner to permit the entry of data.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
53 words
In a relational database management system, means for defining a relational database including an outliner for defining an outline of the structure of the database; and, means for automatically generating category definitions from the output of said outliners, and for displaying the outline defined by said outliner to permit the entry of data.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
64 words
A system for defining a relational database for a database management system including a CPU, storage means, display means, and input means comprising: means within said database management system for defining an outline and, means within said database management system for automatically generating forms corresponding to said outline, whereby data entry into the records of said relational database can proceed based on said outline.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
64 words
A system for defining a relational database for a database management system including a CPU, storage means, display means, and input means comprising: means within said database management system for defining an outline and, means within said database management system for automatically generating forms corresponding to said outline, whereby data entry into the records of said relational database can proceed based on said outline.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of Claim 2 and further including means responsive to said automatic forms generation for displaying said forms in a data entry mode; and, means for entering data such that data is displayed along with said form.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system of Claim 3 wherein said automatic form generation means includes means for examining said outline within said outliner; means for generating a task list from said examining means; and, means for executing said task list to generate a format that includes category definitions corresponding to said outline.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
88 words
The system of Claim 4 and further including file generating means coupled to said task list executing means for creating records in predetermined databases; means coupled to said file generating means for storing one or more databases; means responsive to the generation of category definitions for generating a data entry display having a Category Outline to one side and a Record Editing Window to another side; and, means for entering and editing text in said Record Entry Window and for transmitting record entries to said file generating means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of Claim 2 and further including means responsive to a change in said outline for interrupting the record entry attempts and displaying a field map of the old outline, the new outline and a mapping function.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of Claim 6 and further including means for permitting data entry after record entry interruption only on a prompt from said field mapper.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
In a relational database management system, an outliner for defining the structure of the database.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
In a relational database management system, an outliner for defining the structure of the database.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
In a relational database management system, an outliner system including an outline, said outliner being used for performing queries of the database.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
In a relational database management system, an outliner system including an outline, said outliner being used for performing queries of the database.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of Claim 9 wherein said database querying system includes a display having a constantly displayed outline, a Criteria Window and a Response Window.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of Claim 10 and further including global field means for making the relations between databases.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of Claim 11 wherein said global field means includes means for truncating the displayed outline to exclude the categories for which there is no global field or the global field has no value.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
For a relational database management system, a method of creating the structure of a relational database comprising using an outliner to define the database.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
For a relational database management system, a method of creating the structure of a relational database comprising using an outliner to define the database.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
In a relational database management system, a method of querying a relational database using an outliner as a query interface.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
In a relational database management system, a method of querying a relational database using an outliner as a query interface.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
43 words
In a database management system which uses forms for record generation, outliner means for defining said database; and, means for editing and entering data into said database including means for automatically reflecting changes in said outline in the forms used in record generation.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
43 words
In a database management system which uses forms for record generation, outliner means for defining said database; and, means for editing and entering data into said database including means for automatically reflecting changes in said outline in the forms used in record generation.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
47 words
A method for eliminating the use of programming language in the definition and querying of a relational database comprising defining and querying said database through the use of an outliner having an associated outline, such that editing changes and queries are initiated and controlled by said outline.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
47 words
A method for eliminating the use of programming language in the definition and querying of a relational database comprising defining and querying said database through the use of an outliner having an associated outline, such that editing changes and queries are initiated and controlled by said outline.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
52 words
In a relational database management system having a query mode including an outline-driven query system and means for continuously displaying at least a portion of the outliner in said outliner, for an outline-wide word occurrence search, means for highlighting areas of the displayed outline which include the occurrence of the searched word.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
52 words
In a relational database management system having a query mode including an outline-driven query system and means for continuously displaying at least a portion of the outliner in said outliner, for an outline-wide word occurrence search, means for highlighting areas of the displayed outline which include the occurrence of the searched word.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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