Patent US2870941A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5615367A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5615367A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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System and methods including automatic linking of tables for improved relational database modeling with interface
Assignee: Borland Software Corp
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Filing: 1993-05-25
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Granted: 1997-03-25
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Expires: 2013-05-25
Abstract
Abstract A system includes a relational database management system (RDBMS) having a data modeling component. A "data model" is a graphical representation of the relationship between tables one may use in a design document. "Design documents" allow a user to customize how his or her data are presented, including presenting information in formats which are not tabular and including formats which link together different tables (so that information stored in separate tables appears to the user to come from one place). Methods are described for automatically linking tables to be placed in a data model by comparing unique keys (e.g., primary key or other unique identifier) of one table with indexes (or indexable fields) of another table. Based upon the comparison, the system automatically suggests an appropriate link (if any) for the tables.
Inventors
- 👤 John G. Bennett
- 👤 Perry A. Gee
- 👤 Charles E. Gayraud
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 15:05
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/20; G06F16/25; G06F16/252; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99941; Y10S707/99943
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 38
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
In an information processing system, a method for automatically linking information tables, each table including at least one information field, the method comprising: (a) receiving user input for selecting first and second information tables to link; (b) determining a unique key for one of the two tables; (c) automatically determining by said system a foreign key for the other of the two tables which satisfies said unique key; and (d) if a foreign key is available, automatically linking said first and second tables through the foreign key.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
In an information processing system, a method for automatically linking information tables, each table including at least one information field, the method comprising: (a) receiving user input for selecting first and second information tables to link; (b) determining a unique key for one of the two tables; (c) automatically determining by said system a foreign key for the other of the two tables which satisfies said unique key; and (d) if a foreign key is available, automatically linking said first and second tables through the foreign key.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising: (e) if said unique key is from the first table and said foreign key is from the second table and is also a unique key, indicating to a user a one-to-one link.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 2, wherein step (e) includes: displaying on a screen device an indicator for each of said first and second tables; and indicating a one-to-one link with a single arrow-head line drawn from one identifier to the other.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising: (e) if said unique key is from the first table and said foreign key is from the second table and is not a unique key, indicating to a user a one-to-many link.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 4, wherein step (e) includes: displaying on a screen device an identifier for each of said first and second tables; and indicating a one-to-many link as a double arrow-head line drawn from one identifier to the other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising: (e) if said unique key is from the second table and said foreign key is from the first table and is not a unique key, indicating to, a user a many-to-one link.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 6, wherein step (e) includes: displaying on a screen device an identifier for each of said first and second tables; and indicating a many-to-one as a single arrow-head line drawn from the identifier for the first table to the identifier for the second table.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising: (e) if a foreign key is not available, determining at least one field of the other table which shares a common domain with at least one field of the unique key.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising: (e) if a foreign key is not available, determining at least one indexable field of the other table which may serve as the foreign key.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 9, wherein step (e) includes: locating at least one indexable field of the second table having a data type compatible with said unique key.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 10, wherein step (e) further includes: if more than one said at least one indexable field having a compatible data type are available, selecting one having at least one field name which corresponds to at least one field name of the unique key.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 11, wherein said selecting at least one indexable field having at least one field name which corresponds includes: matching a text substring of said at least one indexable field with a text substring of at least one field name of the unique key.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 9, wherein after step (b) further comprises: if a unique key cannot be automatically determined, selecting with an input device at least one field from one of said tables; and and locating at least one field of the other table which shares a common domain with said selected at least one field.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said unique key includes a key selected from at least one candidate key.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said unique key includes a primary key.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said unique key includes an index which uniquely identifies each record of its table.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 1, wherein step (a) includes determining a unique key by first attempting to locate a primary key, if no primary key is located, then attempting to locate other candidate keys, if no other candidate keys are located, then attempting to locate other unique indexes.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 1, wherein step (a) includes: displaying a list of available tables on a screen device; selecting from the list at least two tables; and drawing on the screen device a line from one selected table to another.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 18, wherein a table that the line is drawn from becomes said first table and a table that the line is drawn to becomes said second table.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising: repeating steps (a)-(d) with a new table as one of said first and second information tables, and an existing table as the other of said first and second information tables.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
66 words
A system for modeling data in a relational database management system comprising: a computer having a processor, a memory, and a screen device; interface means for receiving user input for requesting a link from a first information table to a second information table; and means, responsive to said request means, for automatically determining by said system a relationship which links said first and second information tables.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
66 words
A system for modeling data in a relational database management system comprising: a computer having a processor, a memory, and a screen device; interface means for receiving user input for requesting a link from a first information table to a second information table; and means, responsive to said request means, for automatically determining by said system a relationship which links said first and second information tables.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
56 words
The system of claim 21, wherein said interface means includes: means for selecting a plurality of tables from a list of available information tables; means for displaying on the screen device an identifier for each selected tables; and means for selecting first and second identifiers for requesting a link from corresponding first and second information tables.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system of claim 22, wherein said means for selecting includes input means for drawing a line from one identifier to another, wherein an identifier that the line is drawn from becomes said first identifier and an identifier that the line is drawn to becomes said second identifier.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 21, wherein said determining means includes: means for determining a unique key of one of said first and second information tables and determining a foreign key of the other which satisfies said unique key.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 24, further comprising: means for indicating a one-to-one relationship between said first and second tables if the foreign key which satisfies the determined unique key is also a unique key.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 24, further comprising: means for indicating a one-to-many relationship between said first and second tables if the foreign key which satisfies the unique key is not a unique key.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
58 words
The system of claim 21, wherein said determining means includes: means for determining a unique key from one of said first and second tables; and means for determining a foreign key for the other of said first and second tables which satisfies said unique key, said means including means for creating a foreign key relationship if none exists.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 27, wherein said means for creating a foreign key relationship includes: means for determining an indexable field of the other of said first and second tables which has a data type compatible with said unique key.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
101 words
A system for linking information stored in data objects, each object including at least one field for storing data, the system comprising: a storage device for storing a plurality of data objects; a screen device for representing selected ones of the data objects; input means for receiving user input for selecting first and second data objects to link; means for determining a unique key for one of said first and second data objects; and means, responsive to said input means, for automatically linking by said system said first and second data objects through a foreign key which satisfies said unique key.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
101 words
A system for linking information stored in data objects, each object including at least one field for storing data, the system comprising: a storage device for storing a plurality of data objects; a screen device for representing selected ones of the data objects; input means for receiving user input for selecting first and second data objects to link; means for determining a unique key for one of said first and second data objects; and means, responsive to said input means, for automatically linking by said system said first and second data objects through a foreign key which satisfies said unique key.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 29, wherein said data objects include database tables.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 29, wherein said input means includes a pointing device for positioning a cursor on the screen device and for generating user signals at a desired location on the screen device.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 29, wherein means for determining a unique key includes: means for determining at least one candidate key available for a data object; and means for selecting a primary key from said at least one candidate key.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 29, wherein means for linking includes: means for determining at least one indexable field of the other table which satisfies the unique key.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 29, wherein means for linking includes: means for determining a link type between said first and second data objects; and user feedback means, operably coupled to the screen device, for indicating the link type to a user.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 34, wherein said link type is a selected one of one-to-one, one-to-many, and many-to-one.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-03-24 | 2000-09-23 | 2001-03-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-03-24 | 2004-09-23 | 2005-03-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-03-24 | 2008-09-23 | 2009-03-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |