US5617567A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Data processing system and method for retrieving and entity specified in a search path record from a relational database
Assignee: Financial Systems Technology IP Pty Ltd
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Filing: 1995-05-11
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Granted: 1997-04-01
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Expires: 2015-05-11
Abstract
Abstract A relationships processing computing system provides for the recording and extraction of data objects (entities) and for development data representing a queried relationship between data objects (entities). The set of entities and relationships may be expanded at any time during the life of the system without reprogramming or compiling computer code and without disrupting concurrent use of the system. Complex inquiries, normally requiring multiple nested queries, may be performed without code level programming.
Inventors
- 👤 Karol Doktor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 09:49
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/20; G06F16/28; G06F16/284; G06F16/288; C; C09; C09K; C09K2323/00; C09K2323/02; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/953; Y10S707/954; Y10S707/99931; Y10S707/99932; Y10S707/99933; Y10S707/99934; Y10S707/99951; Y10S707/99952
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
194 words
In a computer system, a data processing system for retrieving a selected entity from a relational database, said data processing system comprising: memory means containing a plurality of entities, wherein said entities are part of said relational database; means, operatively coupled to said memory means, for storing a first search path record wherein said first search path record identifies a first entity and a first relation, and said first search path record storing means includes an inquiry definition table means; means, operatively coupled to said first search path record storing means, for retrieving from said relational database a second entity wherein said second entity is related to said first entity by said first relation; means, operatively coupled to said memory means, for storing a second search path record wherein said second search path record identifies a second relation, and said second search path record storing means includes said inquiry definition table means; and means, operatively coupled to said second search path record storing means and to said second entity retrieving means, for retrieving from said relational database said selected entity wherein said selected entity is related to said second entity by said second relation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
194 words
In a computer system, a data processing system for retrieving a selected entity from a relational database, said data processing system comprising: memory means containing a plurality of entities, wherein said entities are part of said relational database; means, operatively coupled to said memory means, for storing a first search path record wherein said first search path record identifies a first entity and a first relation, and said first search path record storing means includes an inquiry definition table means; means, operatively coupled to said first search path record storing means, for retrieving from said relational database a second entity wherein said second entity is related to said first entity by said first relation; means, operatively coupled to said memory means, for storing a second search path record wherein said second search path record identifies a second relation, and said second search path record storing means includes said inquiry definition table means; and means, operatively coupled to said second search path record storing means and to said second entity retrieving means, for retrieving from said relational database said selected entity wherein said selected entity is related to said second entity by said second relation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
193 words
In a computer system, a data processing system for retrieving a selected entity from a relational database, said data processing system comprising: memory means containing a plurality of entities, wherein said entities are part of said relational database; means, operatively coupled to said memory means, for storing a first search path record wherein said first search path record identifies a first entity and a first relation; means, operatively coupled to said first search path record storing means, for retrieving from said relational database a second entity wherein said second entity is related to said first entity by said first relation; means, operatively coupled to said memory means, for storing a second search path record wherein said second search path record identifies a second relation; means, operatively coupled to said second search path record storing means and to said second entity retrieving means, for retrieving from said relational database said selected entity wherein said selected entity is related to said second entity by said second relation; and means, operatively coupled to said second entity retrieving means and to said selected entity retrieving means, for storing said second entity in an abbreviated results gathering means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
193 words
In a computer system, a data processing system for retrieving a selected entity from a relational database, said data processing system comprising: memory means containing a plurality of entities, wherein said entities are part of said relational database; means, operatively coupled to said memory means, for storing a first search path record wherein said first search path record identifies a first entity and a first relation; means, operatively coupled to said first search path record storing means, for retrieving from said relational database a second entity wherein said second entity is related to said first entity by said first relation; means, operatively coupled to said memory means, for storing a second search path record wherein said second search path record identifies a second relation; means, operatively coupled to said second search path record storing means and to said second entity retrieving means, for retrieving from said relational database said selected entity wherein said selected entity is related to said second entity by said second relation; and means, operatively coupled to said second entity retrieving means and to said selected entity retrieving means, for storing said second entity in an abbreviated results gathering means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
227 words
In a computer system, a data processing system for retrieving a selected group of one or more entities from a relational database, said data processing system comprising: memory means containing a plurality of entities, wherein said entities are part of said relational database; means, operatively coupled to said memory means, for storing a first search path record wherein said first search path record identifies a first entity and a first relation, and said first search path record storing means includes an inquiry definition table means; means, operatively coupled to said first search path record storing means, for retrieving from said relational database a first group of entities comprising all entities within said relational database related to said first entity by said first relation; means, operatively coupled to said memory means, for storing a second search path record wherein said second search path record identifies a second relation, and said second search path record storing means includes said inquiry definition table means; and means, operatively coupled to said second search path record storing means and to said first group of entities retrieving means, for retrieving from said relational database said selected group of one or more entities wherein said selected group of one or more entities comprises all entities within said relational database related to at least one of said first group of entities by said second relation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
227 words
In a computer system, a data processing system for retrieving a selected group of one or more entities from a relational database, said data processing system comprising: memory means containing a plurality of entities, wherein said entities are part of said relational database; means, operatively coupled to said memory means, for storing a first search path record wherein said first search path record identifies a first entity and a first relation, and said first search path record storing means includes an inquiry definition table means; means, operatively coupled to said first search path record storing means, for retrieving from said relational database a first group of entities comprising all entities within said relational database related to said first entity by said first relation; means, operatively coupled to said memory means, for storing a second search path record wherein said second search path record identifies a second relation, and said second search path record storing means includes said inquiry definition table means; and means, operatively coupled to said second search path record storing means and to said first group of entities retrieving means, for retrieving from said relational database said selected group of one or more entities wherein said selected group of one or more entities comprises all entities within said relational database related to at least one of said first group of entities by said second relation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
234 words
In a computer system, data processing system for retrieving a selected group of one or more entities from a relational database, said data processing system comprising: memory means containing a plurality of entities, wherein said entities are part of said relational database; means, operatively coupled to said memory means, for storing a first search path record wherein said first search path record identifies a first entity and a first relation; means, operatively coupled to said first search path record storing means, for retrieving from said relational database a first group of entities comprising all entities within said relational database related to said first entity by said first relation; means, operatively coupled to said memory means, for storing a second search path record wherein said second search path record identifies a second relation; means, operatively coupled to said second search path record storing means and to said first group of entities retrieving means, for retrieving from said relational database said selected group of one or more entities wherein said selected group of one or more entities comprises all entities within said relational database related to at least one of said first group of entities by said second relation; and means, operatively coupled to said first group of entities retrieving means and to said selected group of one or more entities retrieving means, for storing said first group of entities in an abbreviated results gathering means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
234 words
In a computer system, data processing system for retrieving a selected group of one or more entities from a relational database, said data processing system comprising: memory means containing a plurality of entities, wherein said entities are part of said relational database; means, operatively coupled to said memory means, for storing a first search path record wherein said first search path record identifies a first entity and a first relation; means, operatively coupled to said first search path record storing means, for retrieving from said relational database a first group of entities comprising all entities within said relational database related to said first entity by said first relation; means, operatively coupled to said memory means, for storing a second search path record wherein said second search path record identifies a second relation; means, operatively coupled to said second search path record storing means and to said first group of entities retrieving means, for retrieving from said relational database said selected group of one or more entities wherein said selected group of one or more entities comprises all entities within said relational database related to at least one of said first group of entities by said second relation; and means, operatively coupled to said first group of entities retrieving means and to said selected group of one or more entities retrieving means, for storing said first group of entities in an abbreviated results gathering means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
130 words
A computer method for retrieving a selected entity from a relational database, said method comprising: forming a first search path record wherein said first search path record identifies a first entity and a first relation; retrieving from said relational database in response to said first search path record a second entity wherein said second entity is related to said first entity by said first relating; forming a second search path record wherein said second search path record identifies a second relation; retrieving from said relational database in response to said second search path record said selected entity wherein said selected entity is related to said second entity by said second relation; and storing said first search path record and said second search path record in an inquiry definition table means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
130 words
A computer method for retrieving a selected entity from a relational database, said method comprising: forming a first search path record wherein said first search path record identifies a first entity and a first relation; retrieving from said relational database in response to said first search path record a second entity wherein said second entity is related to said first entity by said first relating; forming a second search path record wherein said second search path record identifies a second relation; retrieving from said relational database in response to said second search path record said selected entity wherein said selected entity is related to said second entity by said second relation; and storing said first search path record and said second search path record in an inquiry definition table means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
122 words
A computer method for retrieving a selected entity from a relational database, said method comprising: forming a first search path record wherein said first search path record identifies a first entity and a first relation; retrieving from said relational database in response to said first search path record a second entity wherein said second entity is related to said first entity by said first relation; forming a second search path record wherein said second search path record identifies a second relation; retrieving from said relational database in response to said second search path record said selected entity wherein said selected entity is related to said second entity by said second relation; and storing said second entity in an abbreviated results gathering means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
122 words
A computer method for retrieving a selected entity from a relational database, said method comprising: forming a first search path record wherein said first search path record identifies a first entity and a first relation; retrieving from said relational database in response to said first search path record a second entity wherein said second entity is related to said first entity by said first relation; forming a second search path record wherein said second search path record identifies a second relation; retrieving from said relational database in response to said second search path record said selected entity wherein said selected entity is related to said second entity by said second relation; and storing said second entity in an abbreviated results gathering means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
139 words
A computer method for retrieving a selected group of one or more entities from a relational database, said method comprising: forming a first search path record wherein said first search path record identifies a first entity and a first relation; retrieving from said relational database a first group of entities comprising all entities within said relational database related to said first entity by said first relation; forming a second search path record wherein said second search path record identifies a second relation; retrieving from said relational database said selected group of entities wherein said selected group of entities comprises all entities within said relational database related to at least one of said first group of entities by said second relation; and storing said first search path record and said second search path record in an inquiry definition table means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
139 words
A computer method for retrieving a selected group of one or more entities from a relational database, said method comprising: forming a first search path record wherein said first search path record identifies a first entity and a first relation; retrieving from said relational database a first group of entities comprising all entities within said relational database related to said first entity by said first relation; forming a second search path record wherein said second search path record identifies a second relation; retrieving from said relational database said selected group of entities wherein said selected group of entities comprises all entities within said relational database related to at least one of said first group of entities by said second relation; and storing said first search path record and said second search path record in an inquiry definition table means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
133 words
A computer method for retrieving a selected group of one or more entities from a relational database, said method comprising: forming a first search path record wherein said first search path record identifies a first entity and a first relation; retrieving from said relational database a first group of entities comprising all entities within said relational database related to said first entity by said first relation; forming a second search path record wherein said second search path record identifies a second relation; retrieving from said relational database said selected group of entities wherein said selected group of entities comprises all entities within said relational database related to at least one of said first group of entities by said second relation; and storing said first group of entities in an abbreviated results gathering means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
133 words
A computer method for retrieving a selected group of one or more entities from a relational database, said method comprising: forming a first search path record wherein said first search path record identifies a first entity and a first relation; retrieving from said relational database a first group of entities comprising all entities within said relational database related to said first entity by said first relation; forming a second search path record wherein said second search path record identifies a second relation; retrieving from said relational database said selected group of entities wherein said selected group of entities comprises all entities within said relational database related to at least one of said first group of entities by said second relation; and storing said first group of entities in an abbreviated results gathering means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
190 words
In a computer system, a data processing system for retrieving a selected entity from a relational database, said data processing system comprising: memory means containing a plurality of entities, wherein said entities are part of said relational database; means, operatively coupled to said memory means, for storing a first search path record wherein said first search path record identifies a first relation, and said first search path record storing means includes an inquiry definition table means; means, operatively coupled to said first search path record storing means, for retrieving from said relational database a first entity wherein said first entity is related to a second entity by said first relation; means, operatively coupled to said memory means, for storing a second search path record wherein said second search path record identifies a second relation, and said second search path record storing means includes said inquiry definition table means; and means, operatively coupled to said second search path record storing means and to said first entity retrieving means, for retrieving from said relational database said selected entity wherein said selected entity is related to said first entity by said second relation.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
190 words
In a computer system, a data processing system for retrieving a selected entity from a relational database, said data processing system comprising: memory means containing a plurality of entities, wherein said entities are part of said relational database; means, operatively coupled to said memory means, for storing a first search path record wherein said first search path record identifies a first relation, and said first search path record storing means includes an inquiry definition table means; means, operatively coupled to said first search path record storing means, for retrieving from said relational database a first entity wherein said first entity is related to a second entity by said first relation; means, operatively coupled to said memory means, for storing a second search path record wherein said second search path record identifies a second relation, and said second search path record storing means includes said inquiry definition table means; and means, operatively coupled to said second search path record storing means and to said first entity retrieving means, for retrieving from said relational database said selected entity wherein said selected entity is related to said first entity by said second relation.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
226 words
In a computer system, a data processing system for retrieving a selected group of one or more entities from a relational database, said data processing system comprising: memory means containing a plurality of entities, wherein said entities are part of said relational database; means, operatively coupled to said memory means, for storing a first search path record wherein said first search path record identifies a first relation, and said first search path record storing means includes an inquiry definition table means; means, operatively coupled to said first search path record storing means, for retrieving from said relational database a first group of entities comprising all entities within said relational database related to at least one of said entities by said first relation; means, operatively coupled to said memory means, for storing a second search path record wherein said second search path record identifies a second relation, and said second search path record storing means includes said inquiry definition table means; and means, operatively coupled to said second search path record storing means and to said first group of entities retrieving means, for retrieving from said relational database said selected group of one or more entities wherein said selected group of one or more entities comprises all entities within said relational database related to at least one of said first group of entities by said second relation.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
226 words
In a computer system, a data processing system for retrieving a selected group of one or more entities from a relational database, said data processing system comprising: memory means containing a plurality of entities, wherein said entities are part of said relational database; means, operatively coupled to said memory means, for storing a first search path record wherein said first search path record identifies a first relation, and said first search path record storing means includes an inquiry definition table means; means, operatively coupled to said first search path record storing means, for retrieving from said relational database a first group of entities comprising all entities within said relational database related to at least one of said entities by said first relation; means, operatively coupled to said memory means, for storing a second search path record wherein said second search path record identifies a second relation, and said second search path record storing means includes said inquiry definition table means; and means, operatively coupled to said second search path record storing means and to said first group of entities retrieving means, for retrieving from said relational database said selected group of one or more entities wherein said selected group of one or more entities comprises all entities within said relational database related to at least one of said first group of entities by said second relation.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
126 words
A computer method for retrieving a selected entity from a relational database, said method comprising: forming a first search path record wherein said first search path record identifies a first relation; retrieving from said relational database in response to said first search path record a first entity wherein said first entity is related to a second entity by said first relation; forming a second search path record wherein said second search path record identifies a second relation; retrieving from said relational database in response to said second search path record said selected entity wherein said selected entity is related to said first entity by said second relation; and storing said first search path record and said second search path record in an inquiry definition table means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
126 words
A computer method for retrieving a selected entity from a relational database, said method comprising: forming a first search path record wherein said first search path record identifies a first relation; retrieving from said relational database in response to said first search path record a first entity wherein said first entity is related to a second entity by said first relation; forming a second search path record wherein said second search path record identifies a second relation; retrieving from said relational database in response to said second search path record said selected entity wherein said selected entity is related to said first entity by said second relation; and storing said first search path record and said second search path record in an inquiry definition table means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
138 words
A computer method for retrieving a selected group of one or more entities from a relational database, said method comprising: forming a first search path record wherein said first search path record identifies a first relation; retrieving from said relational database a first group of entities comprising all entities within said relational database related to at least one of said entities by said first relation; forming a second search path record wherein said second search path record identifies a second relation; retrieving from said relational database said selected group of entities wherein said selected group of entities comprises all entities within said relational database related to at least one of said first group of entities by said second relation; and storing said first search path record and said second search path record in an inquiry definition table means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
138 words
A computer method for retrieving a selected group of one or more entities from a relational database, said method comprising: forming a first search path record wherein said first search path record identifies a first relation; retrieving from said relational database a first group of entities comprising all entities within said relational database related to at least one of said entities by said first relation; forming a second search path record wherein said second search path record identifies a second relation; retrieving from said relational database said selected group of entities wherein said selected group of entities comprises all entities within said relational database related to at least one of said first group of entities by said second relation; and storing said first search path record and said second search path record in an inquiry definition table means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
189 words
In a computer system, a data processing system for retrieving a selected entity from a relational database, said data processing system comprising: memory means containing a plurality of entities, wherein said entities are part of said relational database; means, operatively coupled to said memory means, for storing a first search path record wherein said first search path record identifies a first relation; means, operatively coupled to said first search path record storing means, for retrieving from said relational database a first entity wherein said first entity is related to a second entity by said first relation; means, operatively coupled to said memory means, for storing a second search path record wherein said second search path record identifies a second relation; means, operatively coupled to said second search path record storing means and to said first entity retrieving means, for retrieving from said relational database said selected entity wherein said selected entity is related to said first entity by said second relation; and means, operatively coupled to said first entity retrieving means and to said selected entity retrieving means, for storing said first entity in an abbreviated results gathering means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
189 words
In a computer system, a data processing system for retrieving a selected entity from a relational database, said data processing system comprising: memory means containing a plurality of entities, wherein said entities are part of said relational database; means, operatively coupled to said memory means, for storing a first search path record wherein said first search path record identifies a first relation; means, operatively coupled to said first search path record storing means, for retrieving from said relational database a first entity wherein said first entity is related to a second entity by said first relation; means, operatively coupled to said memory means, for storing a second search path record wherein said second search path record identifies a second relation; means, operatively coupled to said second search path record storing means and to said first entity retrieving means, for retrieving from said relational database said selected entity wherein said selected entity is related to said first entity by said second relation; and means, operatively coupled to said first entity retrieving means and to said selected entity retrieving means, for storing said first entity in an abbreviated results gathering means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
234 words
In a computer system, a data processing system for retrieving a selected group of one or more entities from a relational database, said data processing system comprising: memory means containing a plurality of entities, wherein said entities are part of said relational database; means, operatively coupled to said memory means, for storing a first search path record wherein said first search path record identifies a first relation; means, operatively coupled to said first search path record storing means, for retrieving from said relational database a first group of entities comprising all entities within said relational database related to at least one of said entities by said first relation; means, operatively coupled to said memory means, for storing a second search path record wherein said second search path record identifies a second relation; means, operatively coupled to said second search path record storing means and to said first group of entities retrieving means, for retrieving from said relational database said selected group of one or more entities wherein said selected group of one or more entities comprises all entities within said relational database related to at least one of said first group of entities by said second relation; and means, operatively coupled to said first group of entities retrieving means and to said selected group of one or more entities retrieving means, for storing said first group of entities in an abbreviated results gathering means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
234 words
In a computer system, a data processing system for retrieving a selected group of one or more entities from a relational database, said data processing system comprising: memory means containing a plurality of entities, wherein said entities are part of said relational database; means, operatively coupled to said memory means, for storing a first search path record wherein said first search path record identifies a first relation; means, operatively coupled to said first search path record storing means, for retrieving from said relational database a first group of entities comprising all entities within said relational database related to at least one of said entities by said first relation; means, operatively coupled to said memory means, for storing a second search path record wherein said second search path record identifies a second relation; means, operatively coupled to said second search path record storing means and to said first group of entities retrieving means, for retrieving from said relational database said selected group of one or more entities wherein said selected group of one or more entities comprises all entities within said relational database related to at least one of said first group of entities by said second relation; and means, operatively coupled to said first group of entities retrieving means and to said selected group of one or more entities retrieving means, for storing said first group of entities in an abbreviated results gathering means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
118 words
A computer method for retrieving a selected entity from a relational database, said method comprising: forming a first search path record wherein said first search path record identifies a first relation; retrieving from said relational database in response to said first search path record a first entity wherein said first entity is related to a second entity by said first relation; forming a second search path record wherein said second search path record identifies a second relation; retrieving from said relational database in response to said second search path record said selected entity wherein said selected entity is related to said first entity by said second relation; and storing said first entity in an abbreviated results gathering means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
118 words
A computer method for retrieving a selected entity from a relational database, said method comprising: forming a first search path record wherein said first search path record identifies a first relation; retrieving from said relational database in response to said first search path record a first entity wherein said first entity is related to a second entity by said first relation; forming a second search path record wherein said second search path record identifies a second relation; retrieving from said relational database in response to said second search path record said selected entity wherein said selected entity is related to said first entity by said second relation; and storing said first entity in an abbreviated results gathering means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
131 words
A computer method for retrieving a selected group of one or more entities from a relational database, said method comprising: forming a first search path record wherein said first search path record identifies a first relation; retrieving from said relational database a first group of entities comprising all entities within said relational database related to at least one of said entities by said first relation; forming a second search path record wherein said second search path record identifies a second relation; retrieving from said relational database said selected group of entities wherein said selected group of entities comprises all entities within said relational database related to at least one of said first group of entities by said second relation; and storing said first group of entities in abbreviated results gathering means.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
131 words
A computer method for retrieving a selected group of one or more entities from a relational database, said method comprising: forming a first search path record wherein said first search path record identifies a first relation; retrieving from said relational database a first group of entities comprising all entities within said relational database related to at least one of said entities by said first relation; forming a second search path record wherein said second search path record identifies a second relation; retrieving from said relational database said selected group of entities wherein said selected group of entities comprises all entities within said relational database related to at least one of said first group of entities by said second relation; and storing said first group of entities in abbreviated results gathering means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-03-31 | 2008-09-30 | 2009-04-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |