US5553218A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Graphical user interface for relating key index properties to database table columns
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1995-04-19
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Granted: 1996-09-03
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Expires: 2015-04-19
Abstract
Abstract A user interface for creating or changing the structure of a relational database having multiple tables linked by keys and arranged by indices. In one form, the invention contemplates the juxtaposed depiction on a computer video display of a matrix defining the structure of a table with one or more matrices defining the linking relationships between selected columns from that and related tables. Selection and movement through the data structure is accomplished by mouse actuated cursor. Referential integrity among the database tables is maintained through the use of primary and foreign keys. The relationships of the keys and indices to the columns of the tables are clearly represented in matrix format windows which appear concurrently with table column property information.
Inventors
- 👤 Shih-Gong Li
- 👤 Theodore J. L. Shrader
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 06:08
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/20; G06F16/28; G06F16/284; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99941; Y10S707/99943
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
A user interface for defining the structure of a relational database in a computer system, comprising: means for generating and displaying a first matrix which shows columns from a first table of the relational database; means for generating and displaying a second matrix which shows columns from a second table of the relational database; means for generating and displaying, in concurrence with the display of the first matrix, a primary key matrix showing columns from the first table in an order defining a primary key; means for generating and display a foreign key matrix of table columns from the second matrix and table columns from the primary key matrix; and means for a user of the interface to select and order table columns to define relationships in the foreign key matrix.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
A user interface for defining the structure of a relational database in a computer system, comprising: means for generating and displaying a first matrix which shows columns from a first table of the relational database; means for generating and displaying a second matrix which shows columns from a second table of the relational database; means for generating and displaying, in concurrence with the display of the first matrix, a primary key matrix showing columns from the first table in an order defining a primary key; means for generating and display a foreign key matrix of table columns from the second matrix and table columns from the primary key matrix; and means for a user of the interface to select and order table columns to define relationships in the foreign key matrix.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The user interface recited in claim 1, wherein the matrices are depicted in individual windows on a display.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
122 words
A method of generating on a display of a computer system a user interface for a relational database, comprising the steps of: generating and displaying a first matrix which shows columns from a first table of the relational database; generating and displaying a second matrix which shows columns from a second table of the relational database; generating and displaying, in concurrence with the display of the first matrix, a primary key matrix showing columns from the first table in an order defining a primary key; generating and displaying a foreign key matrix of table columns from the second matrix and table columns from the primary key matrix; and selecting and ordering of table columns to define relationships in the foreign key matrix.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
122 words
A method of generating on a display of a computer system a user interface for a relational database, comprising the steps of: generating and displaying a first matrix which shows columns from a first table of the relational database; generating and displaying a second matrix which shows columns from a second table of the relational database; generating and displaying, in concurrence with the display of the first matrix, a primary key matrix showing columns from the first table in an order defining a primary key; generating and displaying a foreign key matrix of table columns from the second matrix and table columns from the primary key matrix; and selecting and ordering of table columns to define relationships in the foreign key matrix.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method recited in claim 3, wherein the matrices are depicted in individual windows on the display.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
144 words
A computer useable medium having computer readable program code for generating by a computer a user interface which defines a structure for a relational database within the computer, comprising: means for generating and displaying a first matrix which shows columns from a first table of the relational database; means for generating and displaying a second matrix which shows columns from a second table of the relational database; means for generating and displaying in concurrence with the display of the first matrix, a primary key matrix showing columns from the first table in an order defining a primary key; means for generating and displaying a foreign key matrix of table columns from the second matrix and table columns from the primary key matrix; and means for a user of the interface to select and order table columns to define relationships in the foreign key matrix.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
144 words
A computer useable medium having computer readable program code for generating by a computer a user interface which defines a structure for a relational database within the computer, comprising: means for generating and displaying a first matrix which shows columns from a first table of the relational database; means for generating and displaying a second matrix which shows columns from a second table of the relational database; means for generating and displaying in concurrence with the display of the first matrix, a primary key matrix showing columns from the first table in an order defining a primary key; means for generating and displaying a foreign key matrix of table columns from the second matrix and table columns from the primary key matrix; and means for a user of the interface to select and order table columns to define relationships in the foreign key matrix.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer usable medium recited in claim 5, wherein the matrices are depicted in individual windows on a display.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-09-03 | 2000-03-04 | 2000-09-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-09-03 | 2004-03-04 | 2004-09-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-09-03 | 2008-03-04 | 2008-09-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |