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US5835910A
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Method and system for comparing attributes in an object-oriented management system
Assignee: Blue Yonder Group Inc
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Filing: 1995-09-12
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Granted: 1998-11-10
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Expires: 2015-09-12
Abstract
Abstract The present invention is an improvement upon an object oriented database management system and provides a method and apparatus for a user to visually compare attribute values of instances retrieved in a search in a way that highlights attribute values that do not match or are not equal. The present invention provides a method and apparatus for determining which of the attributes are not equal or do not match, and which attribute values are the same for all of the instances that are retrieved by a search. A method and apparatus is provided for visually indicating such determinations in a way that is immediately understandable by a user.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas S. Kavanagh
- 👤 Christopher W. Beall
- 👤 William C. Heiny
- 👤 John D. Motycka
- 👤 Samuel S. Pendleton
- 👤 Brooke E. Terpening
- 👤 Kenneth A. Traut
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 10:50
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/44; G06F9/451; G06F9/454; G06F16/00; G06F16/20; G06F16/23; G06F16/2308; G06F16/2336; G06F16/2343; G06F16/28; G06F16/289; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99941; Y10S707/99944; Y10S707/99945; Y10S707/99951; Y10S707/99952; Y10S707/99953
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
A method for comparing attributes of parts in an object oriented parts management system, comprising the steps of: selecting two or more parts to be compared; displaying a part attribute comparison window; comparing the attribute values for all parts, displaying a first symbol associated with attribute values that are the same for all selected parts to be compared, and displaying a second symbol associated with attribute values that are not the same for all selected parts to be compared; designating a baseline part to be compared with all other selected parts; comparing attribute values for the non-designated parts with corresponding attribute values for the baseline part; and, displaying attribute values that match in a first manner, and displaying attribute values that do not match in a second manner.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
128 words
A method for comparing attributes of parts in an object oriented parts management system, comprising the steps of: selecting two or more parts to be compared; displaying a part attribute comparison window; comparing the attribute values for all parts, displaying a first symbol associated with attribute values that are the same for all selected parts to be compared, and displaying a second symbol associated with attribute values that are not the same for all selected parts to be compared; designating a baseline part to be compared with all other selected parts; comparing attribute values for the non-designated parts with corresponding attribute values for the baseline part; and, displaying attribute values that match in a first manner, and displaying attribute values that do not match in a second manner.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein: the step of displaying the first symbol associated with attribute values that are the same comprises the step of displaying a first icon representative of an equal state in a position associated with attribute titles corresponding to said attribute values that are the same.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method according to claim 2, wherein: the step of displaying the second symbol associated with attribute values that are not the same comprises the step of displaying a second icon representative of a not-equal state in a position associated with attribute titles corresponding to said attribute values that are not the same.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
164 words
A method for comparing attributes of parts in an object oriented parts management system comprising the steps of selecting two or more parts to be compared; displaying a part attribute comparison window; comparing the attribute values for all parts, displaying a first symbol associated with attribute values that are the same for all selected parts to be compared, and displaying a second symbol associated with attribute values that are not the same for all selected parts to be compared; designating a baseline part to be compared with all other selected parts; comparing attribute values for the non-designated parts with corresponding attribute values for the baseline part; and displaying attribute values that match in a first manner, and displaying attribute values that do not match in a second manner; the step of displaying the first symbol associated with attribute values that are the same comprises the step of displaying an equal sign icon in a position associated with attribute titles corresponding to said attribute values.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
164 words
A method for comparing attributes of parts in an object oriented parts management system comprising the steps of selecting two or more parts to be compared; displaying a part attribute comparison window; comparing the attribute values for all parts, displaying a first symbol associated with attribute values that are the same for all selected parts to be compared, and displaying a second symbol associated with attribute values that are not the same for all selected parts to be compared; designating a baseline part to be compared with all other selected parts; comparing attribute values for the non-designated parts with corresponding attribute values for the baseline part; and displaying attribute values that match in a first manner, and displaying attribute values that do not match in a second manner; the step of displaying the first symbol associated with attribute values that are the same comprises the step of displaying an equal sign icon in a position associated with attribute titles corresponding to said attribute values.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method as in claim 4, wherein the step of displaying the second symbol associated with attribute values that are not the same comprises the step of displaying a second icon representative of a not-equal state in a position associated with attribute titles corresponding to said attribute values that are not the same.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
152 words
A method as in claim 5, wherein the step of displaying a part attribute comparison window comprises the step of displaying a table, the table having a first column in which said first or second icons are displayed, the table having a second column in which attribute titles are displayed, the table having a third column in which attribute values for a first part are displayed where attribute values for said part are displayed in rows corresponding to the position of corresponding attribute titles in said second column, and the table having one or more additional columns in which attribute values for one or more parts are displayed where attribute values for one of said parts are displayed in a column associated with that part, and where attribute values for one or more of said parts are displayed in rows corresponding to the position of corresponding attribute titles in said second column.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
67 words
A method as in claim 5, wherein the step of displaying attribute values that do not match comprises the step of displaying said attribute values in a second manner selected from the group consisting of (1) highlighting said attribute values, (2) shading said attribute values, and (3) displaying said attribute values in a different color from a color that attribute values that are the same are displayed.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
366 words
A method for comparing attributes of parts in an object oriented parts management system, comprising the steps of selecting two or more parts to be compared; displaying a part attribute comparison window; comparing the attribute values for all parts, displaying a first symbol associated with attribute values that are the same for all selected parts to be compared, and displaying a second symbol associated with attribute values that are not the same for all selected parts to be compared; designating a baseline part to be compared with all other selected parts; comparing attribute values for the non-designated parts with corresponding attribute values for the baseline part; and displaying attribute values that match in a first manner, and displaying attribute values that do not match in a second manner; wherein the step of displaying the first symbol associated with attribute values that are the same comprises the step of displaying a first icon representative of an equal state in a position associated with attribute titles corresponding to said attribute values that are the same; and wherein the step of displaying the second symbol associated with attribute values that are not the same comprises the step of displaying a second icon representative of a not-equal state in a position associated with attribute titles corresponding to said attribute values that are not the same; the step of displaying a part attribute comparison window comprises the step of displaying a table, the table having a first column in which said first or second icons are displayed, the table having a second column in which attribute titles are displayed, the table having a third column in which attribute values for a first part are displayed where attribute values for said part are displayed in rows corresponding to the position of corresponding attribute titles in said second column, and the table having one or more additional columns in which attribute values for one or more parts are displayed where attribute values for one of said parts are displayed in a column associated with that part, and where attribute values for one or more of said parts are displayed in rows corresponding to the position of corresponding attribute titles in said second column.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
366 words
A method for comparing attributes of parts in an object oriented parts management system, comprising the steps of selecting two or more parts to be compared; displaying a part attribute comparison window; comparing the attribute values for all parts, displaying a first symbol associated with attribute values that are the same for all selected parts to be compared, and displaying a second symbol associated with attribute values that are not the same for all selected parts to be compared; designating a baseline part to be compared with all other selected parts; comparing attribute values for the non-designated parts with corresponding attribute values for the baseline part; and displaying attribute values that match in a first manner, and displaying attribute values that do not match in a second manner; wherein the step of displaying the first symbol associated with attribute values that are the same comprises the step of displaying a first icon representative of an equal state in a position associated with attribute titles corresponding to said attribute values that are the same; and wherein the step of displaying the second symbol associated with attribute values that are not the same comprises the step of displaying a second icon representative of a not-equal state in a position associated with attribute titles corresponding to said attribute values that are not the same; the step of displaying a part attribute comparison window comprises the step of displaying a table, the table having a first column in which said first or second icons are displayed, the table having a second column in which attribute titles are displayed, the table having a third column in which attribute values for a first part are displayed where attribute values for said part are displayed in rows corresponding to the position of corresponding attribute titles in said second column, and the table having one or more additional columns in which attribute values for one or more parts are displayed where attribute values for one of said parts are displayed in a column associated with that part, and where attribute values for one or more of said parts are displayed in rows corresponding to the position of corresponding attribute titles in said second column.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
As method as in claim 8, wherein the step of displaying the first symbol associated with attribute values that are the same comprises the step of displaying an equal sign icon in a position associated with attribute titles corresponding to said attribute values.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
281 words
A method for comparing attributes of parts in an object oriented parts management system, comprising the steps of selecting two or more parts to be compared; displaying a part attribute comparison window; comparing the attribute values for all parts, displaying a first symbol associated with attribute values that are the same for all selected parts to be compared, and displaying a second symbol associated with attribute values that are not the same for all selected parts to be compared; designating a baseline part to be compared with all other selected parts; comparing attribute values for the non-designated parts with corresponding attribute values for the baseline part; and displaying attribute values that match in a first manner, and displaying attribute values that do not match in a second manner; wherein the step of displaying the first symbol associated with attribute value that are the same comprises the step of displaying a first icon representative of an equal state in a position associated with attribute titles corresponding to said attribute values that are the same; and wherein the step of displaying the second symbol associated with attribute values that are not the same comprises the step of displaying a second icon representative of a not-equal state in a position associated with attribute titles corresponding to said attribute values that are not the same; the step of displaying attribute values that do not match comprises the step of displaying said attribute values in a second manner selected from the group consisting of (1) highlighting said attribute values, (2) shading said attribute values, and (3) displaying said attribute values in a different color from a color that attribute values that are the same are displayed.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
281 words
A method for comparing attributes of parts in an object oriented parts management system, comprising the steps of selecting two or more parts to be compared; displaying a part attribute comparison window; comparing the attribute values for all parts, displaying a first symbol associated with attribute values that are the same for all selected parts to be compared, and displaying a second symbol associated with attribute values that are not the same for all selected parts to be compared; designating a baseline part to be compared with all other selected parts; comparing attribute values for the non-designated parts with corresponding attribute values for the baseline part; and displaying attribute values that match in a first manner, and displaying attribute values that do not match in a second manner; wherein the step of displaying the first symbol associated with attribute value that are the same comprises the step of displaying a first icon representative of an equal state in a position associated with attribute titles corresponding to said attribute values that are the same; and wherein the step of displaying the second symbol associated with attribute values that are not the same comprises the step of displaying a second icon representative of a not-equal state in a position associated with attribute titles corresponding to said attribute values that are not the same; the step of displaying attribute values that do not match comprises the step of displaying said attribute values in a second manner selected from the group consisting of (1) highlighting said attribute values, (2) shading said attribute values, and (3) displaying said attribute values in a different color from a color that attribute values that are the same are displayed.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
As method as in claim 10, wherein the step of displaying the first symbol associated with attribute values that are the same comprises the step of displaying an equal sign icon in a position associated with attribute titles corresponding to said attribute values.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
108 words
A method for comparing attributes of instances in a database management system, comprising the steps of: selecting a plurality of instances to be compared; displaying an attribute comparison window; designating one of the selected instances as a baseline instance to be compared with all other selected instances; comparing attribute values for instances other than the baseline instance, with corresponding attribute values for the baseline instance; and, for instances other than the baseline instance, displaying attribute values that match corresponding attribute values for the baseline instance in a first manner, and displaying attribute values that do not match corresponding attribute values for the baseline instance in a second manner.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
108 words
A method for comparing attributes of instances in a database management system, comprising the steps of: selecting a plurality of instances to be compared; displaying an attribute comparison window; designating one of the selected instances as a baseline instance to be compared with all other selected instances; comparing attribute values for instances other than the baseline instance, with corresponding attribute values for the baseline instance; and, for instances other than the baseline instance, displaying attribute values that match corresponding attribute values for the baseline instance in a first manner, and displaying attribute values that do not match corresponding attribute values for the baseline instance in a second manner.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method for comparing attributes of instances in a database management system according to claim 12, further comprising the steps of: comparing the attribute values for all instances; displaying a first symbol associated with attribute values that are the same for all selected instances; and, displaying a second symbol associated with attribute values that are not the same for all selected instances.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method for comparing attributes of instances in a database management system according to claim 13, wherein: the step of displaying the first symbol associated with attribute values that are the same comprises the step of displaying a first icon representative of an equal state in a position associated with attribute titles corresponding to said attribute values that are the same.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method for comparing attributes of instances in a database management system according to claim 14, wherein: the step of displaying the second symbol associated with attribute values that are not the same comprises the step of displaying a second icon representative of a not-equal state in a position associated with attribute titles corresponding to said attribute values that are not the same.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
38 words
As method as in claim 12, wherein the step of displaying attribute values in a first manner includes the step of displaying an equal sign icon in a position associated with attribute titles corresponding to said attribute values.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method as in claim 12, wherein the step of displaying attribute values in a second manner includes the step of displaying a second icon representative of a not-equal state in a position associated with attribute titles corresponding to said attribute values that are not the same.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
165 words
A method as in claim 17, wherein the step of displaying an attribute comparison window comprises the step of displaying a table, the table having a first column in which attribute titles are displayed in said first manner when all said instances have the same attribute value and in said second manner when at least some of said instances have different attribute values, the table having a second column in which attribute values for a first instance are displayed where attribute values for said instance are displayed in rows corresponding to the position of corresponding attribute titles in said first column, and the table having one or more additional columns in which attribute values for one or more instances are displayed where attribute values for one of said parts are displayed in a column associated with that part, and where attribute values for one or more of said parts are displayed in rows corresponding to the position of corresponding attribute titles in said first column.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
67 words
A method as in claim 17, wherein the step of displaying attribute values that do not match comprises the step of displaying said attribute values in a second manner selected from the group consisting of (1) highlighting said attribute values, (2) shading said attribute values, and (3) displaying said attribute values in a different color from a color that attribute values that are the same are displayed.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
151 words
An object oriented database management system within a client/server architecture having a knowledge base client, a knowledge base server, the knowledge base server including a dynamic class manager, a connection manager, a query manager, a handle manager, a units manager, a database manager, and a file manager, comprising: means for selecting a plurality of instances to be compared; means for displaying an attribute comparison window; means for designating one of the selected instances as a baseline instance to be compared with all other selected instances; means for comparing attribute values for instances other than the baseline instance, with corresponding attribute values for the baseline instance; means for displaying, for instances other than the baseline instance, attribute values that match corresponding attribute values for the baseline instance in a first manner; and, means for displaying attribute values that do not match corresponding attribute values for the baseline instance in a second manner.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
151 words
An object oriented database management system within a client/server architecture having a knowledge base client, a knowledge base server, the knowledge base server including a dynamic class manager, a connection manager, a query manager, a handle manager, a units manager, a database manager, and a file manager, comprising: means for selecting a plurality of instances to be compared; means for displaying an attribute comparison window; means for designating one of the selected instances as a baseline instance to be compared with all other selected instances; means for comparing attribute values for instances other than the baseline instance, with corresponding attribute values for the baseline instance; means for displaying, for instances other than the baseline instance, attribute values that match corresponding attribute values for the baseline instance in a first manner; and, means for displaying attribute values that do not match corresponding attribute values for the baseline instance in a second manner.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
59 words
The object oriented database management system according to claim 20, further comprising: means for comparing the attribute values for all instances; means for displaying a first symbol associated with attribute values that are the same for all selected instances; and, means for displaying a second symbol associated with attribute values that are not the same for all selected instances.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
54 words
The object oriented database management system according to claim 21, wherein: the means for displaying the first symbol associated with attribute values that are the same comprises means for displaying a first icon representative of an equal state in a position associated with attribute titles corresponding to said attribute values that are the same.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
56 words
The object oriented database management system according to claim 22, wherein: the means for displaying the second symbol associated with attribute values that are not the same comprises means for displaying a second icon representative of a not-equal state in a position associated with attribute titles corresponding to said attribute values that are not the same.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
43 words
A system as in claim 21, wherein said means for displaying the second symbol includes means for displaying a second icon representative of a not-equal state in a position associated with attribute titles corresponding to said attribute values that are not the same.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
151 words
A system as in claim 24, wherein said means for displaying an attribute comparison window comprises the step of displaying a table, the table having a first column in which said first or second icons are displayed, the table having a second column in which attribute titles are displayed, the table having a third column in which attribute values for a first part are displayed where attribute values for said part are displayed in rows corresponding to the position of corresponding attribute titles in said second column, and the table having one or more additional columns in which attribute values for one or more parts are displayed where attribute values for one of said parts are displayed in a column associated with that part, and where attribute values for one or more of said parts are displayed in rows corresponding to the position of corresponding attribute titles in said second column.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
66 words
A system as in claim 24, wherein said means for displaying attribute values that do not match includes means for displaying said attribute values in a second manner selected from the group consisting of (1) highlighting said attribute values, (2) shading said attribute values, and (3) displaying said attribute values in a different color from a color that attribute values that are the same are displayed.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
38 words
A system as in claim 20, wherein said means for displaying the attribute values in a first manner includes means for displaying an equal sign icon in a position associated with attribute titles corresponding to said attribute values.
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