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Method and apparatus for graphically displaying query relationships

Assignee: Google LLC
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Filing: 1992-07-20
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Granted: 1998-02-24
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Expires: 2012-07-20
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Abstract

Abstract A method, system and program for providing a graphical interface for a database are accomplished by the operation of a process in the memory of a processor. The definition of individual predicates, the definition of the relationship of predicates, the editing of predicates, and the editing of the relationship of predicates is simplified and rendered dynamic and interactive for the user thereby facilitating the completion of the task being performed. The user need not remember the related column information for a specified predicate because the system will provide that information simultaneously with the predicate definition in a form that supports the direct manipulation of the related information. The predicates and their relationship are displayed simultaneously with the definition activities for both the initial definition and any subsequent editing activities. The user may select this information and drag it to the desired location to proceed on the desired activity.

Inventors

  • 👤 Kenneth Ray Banning
  • 👤 Wendy Sue James
  • 👤 Shih-Gong Li

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 00:42
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/20; G06F16/24; G06F16/242; G06F16/2428; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99931; Y10S707/99933; Y10S707/99934; Y10S707/99941; Y10S707/99943; Y10S715/00; Y10S715/961; Y10S715/965; Y10S715/966; Y10S715/968

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim 182 words
An apparatus for graphically forming a query relationship between a first object and a second object by direct manipulation comprising: (a) means for storing a plurality of objects including said first object and said second object in a database accessible by a user at a workstation; (b) pointer means at said workstation for selecting said first object for said query and said second object for said query form said plurality of objects in the database by said user using direct manipulation; (c) means for creating a logical relationship between the first object for said query selected by said user within the database and the second object for said query; (d) means for graphically displaying the logical relationship between the first object for said query and the second object for said query to said user on a display on said workstation, and (e) means for forming presentation objects representing data structures by storing user supplied information of the logical relationship of said first object and said second object in said data structures and displaying the logical relationship to said user at said workstation.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 182 words
An apparatus for graphically forming a query relationship between a first object and a second object by direct manipulation comprising: (a) means for storing a plurality of objects including said first object and said second object in a database accessible by a user at a workstation; (b) pointer means at said workstation for selecting said first object for said query and said second object for said query form said plurality of objects in the database by said user using direct manipulation; (c) means for creating a logical relationship between the first object for said query selected by said user within the database and the second object for said query; (d) means for graphically displaying the logical relationship between the first object for said query and the second object for said query to said user on a display on said workstation, and (e) means for forming presentation objects representing data structures by storing user supplied information of the logical relationship of said first object and said second object in said data structures and displaying the logical relationship to said user at said workstation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 12 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the database is relational.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 33 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, including means for creating predicate definitions by a user at said workstation by direct manipulation of a first object and a second object in said database.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 32 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the presentation objects are formed by said first object and said second object through the logical relationship defined by said user at said workstation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 24 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 3, including means for graphically displaying the predicate definitions on a display to said user at said workstation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 31 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 3, including means for editing the predicate definitions by said user at said workstation by direct manipulation of said plurality of objects at said workstation.
Claim 8
Independent Claim 170 words
A method for graphically forming a graphical query relationship between a first object and a second object by direct manipulation comprising: (a) storing information in a database for a plurality of objects including said first object and said second object in a database accessible by a user at a workstation; (b) selecting said first object for said query and said second object for said query form said plurality of objects in the database by said user using direct manipulation; (c) creating a logical relationship between the first object for said query selected by said user within the database and the second object for said query; (d) displaying the logical relationship between the first object for said query and the second object for said query to said user on a displays, and (e) forming presentation objects representing data structures by storing user supplied information on the logical relationship of said first object and said second object in said data structures and displaying the logical relationship to said user at said workstation.
Claim 9
Independent Claim 170 words
A method for graphically forming a graphical query relationship between a first object and a second object by direct manipulation comprising: (a) storing information in a database for a plurality of objects including said first object and said second object in a database accessible by a user at a workstation; (b) selecting said first object for said query and said second object for said query form said plurality of objects in the database by said user using direct manipulation; (c) creating a logical relationship between the first object for said query selected by said user within the database and the second object for said query; (d) displaying the logical relationship between the first object for said query and the second object for said query to said user on a displays, and (e) forming presentation objects representing data structures by storing user supplied information on the logical relationship of said first object and said second object in said data structures and displaying the logical relationship to said user at said workstation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 12 words
A method as retired in claim 7, wherein the database is relational.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 34 words
A method as recited in claim 7, including the step of creating predicate definitions by a user at said workstation by direct manipulation of a first object and a second object in said database.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 32 words
A method as recited in claim 7, wherein the presentation objects are formed by said first object and said second object through said logical relationship defined by said user at said workstation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 25 words
A method as recited in claim 9, including the step of graphically displaying the predicate definitions on a display to said user at said workstation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 32 words
A method as recited in claim 9, including the step of editing the predicate definitions by said user at said workstation by direct manipulation of said plurality of objects at said workstation.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2001-02-23 2001-08-25 2002-02-24 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2005-02-23 2005-08-25 2006-02-24 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2009-02-23 2009-08-25 2010-02-24 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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