US5995973A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Storing relationship tables identifying object relationships
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
•
Filing: 1997-08-29
•
Granted: 1999-11-30
•
Expires: 2017-08-29
Abstract
Abstract A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for maintaining object relationships. A query is executed in a computer to retrieve data from a database stored on a data storage device. Initially, one or more relationship objects are created, wherein each relationship object identifies a source object and a related target object. Next, when accessing a source object, related target objects are determined using the relationship object. When accessing a target object, related source objects are determined using the relationship object.
Inventors
- 👤 Jean-Jacques P. Daudenarde
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 13:50
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/20; G06F16/28; G06F16/289; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99931; Y10S707/99933; Y10S707/99941; Y10S707/99943; Y10S707/99944
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 78
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
A method of executing a query in a computer to retrieve data from a data base stored on a data storage device, comprising the steps of: storing one or more relationship tables that identify relationships between source and target objects, wherein a relationship specifies one of a plurality of possible classifications between the source and target objects; creating one or more relationship objects using the relationship tables, wherein each relationship object has multiple relationship elements, and wherein each relationship element identifies a source object and a related target object, and wherein each relationship object identifies a relationship specifying one of a plurality of possible classifications between the source and target objects; when accessing a source object, determining related target objects using the relationship object having a selected relationship; and when accessing a target object, determining related source objects using the relationship object having a selected relationship.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
146 words
A method of executing a query in a computer to retrieve data from a data base stored on a data storage device, comprising the steps of: storing one or more relationship tables that identify relationships between source and target objects, wherein a relationship specifies one of a plurality of possible classifications between the source and target objects; creating one or more relationship objects using the relationship tables, wherein each relationship object has multiple relationship elements, and wherein each relationship element identifies a source object and a related target object, and wherein each relationship object identifies a relationship specifying one of a plurality of possible classifications between the source and target objects; when accessing a source object, determining related target objects using the relationship object having a selected relationship; and when accessing a target object, determining related source objects using the relationship object having a selected relationship.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 above, wherein the relationship object is comprised of a header having an indicator linking the relationship object to the source object.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 2 above, wherein the header has a direction flag indicating that the relationship object represents a direct relationship.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 3 above, wherein the relationship elements correspond to target objects.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 2 above, wherein the header has a direction flag indicating that the relationship object represents a reverse relationship.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 5 above, wherein the relationship elements correspond to source objects.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 above, further comprising the step of deleting a source object.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 7 above, wherein the relationship object has an owner flag indicating that the source object owns the target object and wherein the step of deleting further comprises the step of deleting the target object.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 7 above, wherein the relationship object has an owner flag indicating that the source object does not own the target object and wherein the step of deleting further comprises the step of setting an indicator to the source object to indicate that the source object has been deleted.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 above, wherein the target object is transient.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 above, wherein the target object is persistently stored.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 above, wherein the source object is transient.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 above, wherein the source object is persistently stored.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
128 words
A method of executing a query in a computer to retrieve data from a database stored on a data storage device, comprising the steps of: storing one or more relationship tables that identify relationships between source and target objects, wherein a relationship specifies one of a plurality of possible classifications between the source and target objects; creating one or more relationship objects using the relationship tables, wherein each relationship object has multiple relationship elements, and wherein each relationship element identifies a source object and a related target object, and wherein each relationship object identifies a relationship specifying one of a plurality of possible classifications between the source and target objects; and when accessing a source object, determining related target objects using the relationship object having a selected relationship.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
128 words
A method of executing a query in a computer to retrieve data from a database stored on a data storage device, comprising the steps of: storing one or more relationship tables that identify relationships between source and target objects, wherein a relationship specifies one of a plurality of possible classifications between the source and target objects; creating one or more relationship objects using the relationship tables, wherein each relationship object has multiple relationship elements, and wherein each relationship element identifies a source object and a related target object, and wherein each relationship object identifies a relationship specifying one of a plurality of possible classifications between the source and target objects; and when accessing a source object, determining related target objects using the relationship object having a selected relationship.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 14 above, wherein the target object is transient.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 14 above, wherein the target object is persistently stored.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 14 above, wherein the source object is transient.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 14 above, wherein the source object is persistently stored.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
128 words
A method of executing a query in a computer to retrieve data from a database stored on a data storage device, comprising the steps of: storing one or more relationship tables that identify relationships between source and target objects, wherein a relationship specifies one of a plurality of possible classifications between the source and target objects; creating one or more relationship objects using the relationship tables, wherein each relationship object has multiple relationship elements, and wherein each relationship element identities a source object and a related target object, and wherein each relationship object identifies a relationship specifying one of a plurality of possible classifications between the source and target objects; and when accessing a target object, determining related source objects using the relationship object having a selected relationship.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
128 words
A method of executing a query in a computer to retrieve data from a database stored on a data storage device, comprising the steps of: storing one or more relationship tables that identify relationships between source and target objects, wherein a relationship specifies one of a plurality of possible classifications between the source and target objects; creating one or more relationship objects using the relationship tables, wherein each relationship object has multiple relationship elements, and wherein each relationship element identities a source object and a related target object, and wherein each relationship object identifies a relationship specifying one of a plurality of possible classifications between the source and target objects; and when accessing a target object, determining related source objects using the relationship object having a selected relationship.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 19 above, wherein the target object is transient.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 19 above, wherein the target object is persistently stored.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 19 above, wherein the source object is transient.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 19 above, wherein the source object is persistently stored.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
163 words
An apparatus for executing a query to retrieve data from a database, comprising: a computer having a memory and a data storage device coupled thereto, wherein the data storage device stores the database; one or more computer programs, performed by the computer, for storing one or more relationship tables that identify relationships between source and target objects, wherein a relationship specifies one of a plurality of possible classifications between the source and target objects, creating one or more relationship objects using the relationship tables, wherein each relationship object has multiple relationship elements, and wherein each relationship element identifies a source object and a related target object, and wherein each relationship object identifies a relationship specifying one of a plurality of possible classifications between the source and target objects, when accessing a source object, determining related target objects using the relationship object having a selected relationship, and, when accessing a target object, determining related source objects using the relationship object having a selected relationship.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
163 words
An apparatus for executing a query to retrieve data from a database, comprising: a computer having a memory and a data storage device coupled thereto, wherein the data storage device stores the database; one or more computer programs, performed by the computer, for storing one or more relationship tables that identify relationships between source and target objects, wherein a relationship specifies one of a plurality of possible classifications between the source and target objects, creating one or more relationship objects using the relationship tables, wherein each relationship object has multiple relationship elements, and wherein each relationship element identifies a source object and a related target object, and wherein each relationship object identifies a relationship specifying one of a plurality of possible classifications between the source and target objects, when accessing a source object, determining related target objects using the relationship object having a selected relationship, and, when accessing a target object, determining related source objects using the relationship object having a selected relationship.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 24 above, wherein the relationship object is comprised of a header having an indicator linking the relationship object to the source object.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 25 above, wherein the header has a direction flag indicating that the relationship object represents a direct relationship.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 26 above, wherein the relationship elements correspond to target objects.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 25 above, wherein the header has a direction flag indicating that the relationship object represents a reverse relationship.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 28 above, wherein the relationship elements correspond to source objects.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 24 above, further comprising the means for deleting a source object.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 30 above, wherein the relationship object has an owner flag indicating that the source object owns the target object and wherein the means for deleting further comprise the means for deleting the target object.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 30 above, wherein the relationship object has an owner flag indicating that the source object does not own the target object and wherein the means for deleting further comprises the means for setting an indicator to the source object to indicate that the source object has been deleted.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 24 above, wherein the target object is transient.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 24 above, wherein the target object is persistently stored.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 24 above, wherein the source object is transient.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 24 above, wherein the source object is persistently stored.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
146 words
An apparatus for executing a query to retrieve data from a database, comprising: a computer having a memory and a data storage device coupled thereto, wherein the data storage device stores the database; one or more computer programs performed by the computer, for storing one or more relationship tables that identify relationships between source and target objects, wherein a relationship specifies one of a plurality of possible classifications between the source and target objects, creating one or more relationship objects using the relationship tables, wherein each relationship object has multiple relationship elements, and wherein each relationship element identifies a source object and a related target object, and wherein each relationship object identifies a relationship specifying one of a plurality of possible classifications between the source and target objects, and, when accessing a source object, determining related target objects using the relationship object having a selected relationship.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
146 words
An apparatus for executing a query to retrieve data from a database, comprising: a computer having a memory and a data storage device coupled thereto, wherein the data storage device stores the database; one or more computer programs performed by the computer, for storing one or more relationship tables that identify relationships between source and target objects, wherein a relationship specifies one of a plurality of possible classifications between the source and target objects, creating one or more relationship objects using the relationship tables, wherein each relationship object has multiple relationship elements, and wherein each relationship element identifies a source object and a related target object, and wherein each relationship object identifies a relationship specifying one of a plurality of possible classifications between the source and target objects, and, when accessing a source object, determining related target objects using the relationship object having a selected relationship.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 37 above, wherein the target object is transient.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 37 above, wherein the target object is persistently stored.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 37 above, wherein the source object is transient.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 37 above, wherein the source object is persistently stored.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
146 words
An apparatus for executing a query to retrieve data from a database, comprising: a computer having a memory and a data storage device coupled thereto, wherein the data storage device stores the database; one or more computer programs, performed by the computer, for storing one or more relationship tables that identify relationships between source and target objects, wherein a relationship specifies one of a plurality of possible classifications between the source and target objects, creating one or more relationship objects using the relationship tables, wherein each relationship object has multiple relationship elements, and wherein each relationship element identifies a source object and a related target object, and wherein each relationship object identifies a relationship specifying one of a plurality of possible classifications between the source and target objects, and when accessing a target object, determining related source objects using the relationship object having a selected relationship.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
146 words
An apparatus for executing a query to retrieve data from a database, comprising: a computer having a memory and a data storage device coupled thereto, wherein the data storage device stores the database; one or more computer programs, performed by the computer, for storing one or more relationship tables that identify relationships between source and target objects, wherein a relationship specifies one of a plurality of possible classifications between the source and target objects, creating one or more relationship objects using the relationship tables, wherein each relationship object has multiple relationship elements, and wherein each relationship element identifies a source object and a related target object, and wherein each relationship object identifies a relationship specifying one of a plurality of possible classifications between the source and target objects, and when accessing a target object, determining related source objects using the relationship object having a selected relationship.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 42 above, wherein the target object is transient.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 42 above, wherein the target object is persistently stored.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 42 above, wherein the source object is transient.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 42 above, wherein the source object is persistently stored.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
168 words
An article of manufacture comprising a program storage medium readable a computer and embodying one or more instructions executable by the computer to perform method steps for executing a query to retrieve data from a database stored on a data storage device, the method comprising the steps of: storing one or more relationship tables that identify relationships between source and target objects, wherein a relationship specifies one of a plurality of possible classifications between the source and target objects; creating one or more relationship objects using the relationship tables, wherein each relationship object has multiple relationship elements, and wherein each relationship element identifies a source object and a related target object, and wherein each relationship object identifies a relationship specifying one of a plurality of possible classifications between the source and target objects, when accessing a source object, determining related target objects using the relationship object having a selected relationship; and when accessing a target object, determining related source objects using the relationship object having a selected relationship.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
168 words
An article of manufacture comprising a program storage medium readable a computer and embodying one or more instructions executable by the computer to perform method steps for executing a query to retrieve data from a database stored on a data storage device, the method comprising the steps of: storing one or more relationship tables that identify relationships between source and target objects, wherein a relationship specifies one of a plurality of possible classifications between the source and target objects; creating one or more relationship objects using the relationship tables, wherein each relationship object has multiple relationship elements, and wherein each relationship element identifies a source object and a related target object, and wherein each relationship object identifies a relationship specifying one of a plurality of possible classifications between the source and target objects, when accessing a source object, determining related target objects using the relationship object having a selected relationship; and when accessing a target object, determining related source objects using the relationship object having a selected relationship.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
28 words
The article of manufacture of claim 47 above, wherein the relationship object is comprised of a header having an indicator linking the relationship object to the source object.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
24 words
The article of manufacture of claim 48 above, wherein the header has a direction flag indicating that the relationship object represents a direct relationship.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
16 words
The article of manufacture of claim 49 above, wherein the relationship elements correspond to target objects.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
24 words
The article of manufacture of claim 48 above, wherein the header has a direction flag indicating that the relationship object represents a reverse relationship.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
16 words
The article of manufacture of claim 51 above, wherein the relationship elements correspond to source objects.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
17 words
The article of manufacture of claim 47 above, further comprising the step of deleting a source object.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
40 words
The article of manufacture of claim 53 above, wherein the relationship object has an owner flag indicating that the source object owns the target object and wherein the step of deleting further comprises the step of deleting the target object.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
54 words
The article of manufacture of claim 53 above, wherein the relationship object has an owner flag indicating that the source object does not own the target object and wherein the step of deleting further comprises the step of setting an indicator to the source object to indicate that the source object has been deleted.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
14 words
The article of manufacture of claim 47 above, wherein the target object is transient.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
15 words
The article of manufacture of claim 47 above, wherein the target object is persistently stored.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
14 words
The article of manufacture of claim 47 above, wherein the source object is transient.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
15 words
The article of manufacture of claim 47 above, wherein the source object is persistently stored.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
152 words
An article of manufacture comprising a program storage medium readable by a computer and embodying one or more instructions executable by the computer to perform method steps for executing a query to retrieve data from a database stored on a data storage device, the method comprising the steps of: storing one or more relationship tables that identify relationships between source and target objects, wherein a relationship specifies one of a plurality of possible classifications between the source and target objects; creating one or more relationship objects using the relationship tables, wherein each relationship object has multiple relationship elements, and wherein each relationship element identifies a source object and a related target object, and wherein each relationship object identifies a relationship specifying one of a plurality of possible classifications between the source and target objects; and when accessing a source object, determining related target objects using the relationship object having a selected relationship.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
152 words
An article of manufacture comprising a program storage medium readable by a computer and embodying one or more instructions executable by the computer to perform method steps for executing a query to retrieve data from a database stored on a data storage device, the method comprising the steps of: storing one or more relationship tables that identify relationships between source and target objects, wherein a relationship specifies one of a plurality of possible classifications between the source and target objects; creating one or more relationship objects using the relationship tables, wherein each relationship object has multiple relationship elements, and wherein each relationship element identifies a source object and a related target object, and wherein each relationship object identifies a relationship specifying one of a plurality of possible classifications between the source and target objects; and when accessing a source object, determining related target objects using the relationship object having a selected relationship.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
14 words
The article of manufacture of claim 60 above, wherein the target object is transient.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
15 words
The article of manufacture of claim 60 above, wherein the target object is persistently stored.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
14 words
The article of manufacture of claim 60 above, wherein the source object is transient.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
15 words
The article of manufacture of claim 60 above, wherein the source object is persistently stored.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
152 words
An article of manufacture comprising a program storage medium readable by a computer and embodying one or more instructions executable by the computer to perform method steps for executing a query to retrieve data from a database stored on a data storage device, the method comprising the steps of: storing one or more relationship tables that identify relationships between source and target objects, wherein a relationship specifies one of a plurality of possible classifications between the source and target objects; creating one or more relationship objects using the relationship tables, wherein each relationship object has multiple relationship elements, and wherein each relationship element identifies a source object and a related target object, and wherein each relationship object identifies a relationship specifying one of a plurality of possible classifications between the source and target objects; and when accessing a target object, determining related source objects using the relationship object having a selected relationship.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
152 words
An article of manufacture comprising a program storage medium readable by a computer and embodying one or more instructions executable by the computer to perform method steps for executing a query to retrieve data from a database stored on a data storage device, the method comprising the steps of: storing one or more relationship tables that identify relationships between source and target objects, wherein a relationship specifies one of a plurality of possible classifications between the source and target objects; creating one or more relationship objects using the relationship tables, wherein each relationship object has multiple relationship elements, and wherein each relationship element identifies a source object and a related target object, and wherein each relationship object identifies a relationship specifying one of a plurality of possible classifications between the source and target objects; and when accessing a target object, determining related source objects using the relationship object having a selected relationship.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
14 words
The article of manufacture of claim 65 above, wherein the target object is transient.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
15 words
The article of manufacture of claim 65 above, wherein the target object is persistently stored.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
14 words
The article of manufacture of claim 65 above, wherein the source object is transient.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
15 words
The article of manufacture of claim 65 above, wherein the source object is persistently stored.
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-11-29 | 2003-05-31 | 2003-11-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-11-29 | 2007-05-31 | 2007-11-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
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