US6128619A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Generating an internet application for accessing a hierarchical database
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
•
Filing: 1998-04-30
•
Granted: 2000-10-03
•
Expires: 2018-04-30
Abstract
Abstract A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for generating an application for accessing a hierarchical database. A database description and a record layout associated with the hierarchical database are captured and associated to define a specification for the database. Class definitions are then generated from the database specification, wherein the class definitions are instantiated as objects in an objects framework that encapsulate data retrieved from the database. Display forms are also generated from the database specification, wherein the display forms are used to display the data encapsulated by the instantiated objects in the objects framework.
Inventors
- 👤 Attila Joseph Fogarasi
- 👤 Shyh-Mei Fang Ho
- 👤 Wai-Yee Doris Ling
- 👤 Kevin Michael McBride
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 22:36
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/44; G06F9/448; G06F9/4488; G06F9/451; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99941; Y10S707/99942; Y10S707/99943
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 48
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A computerized method for generating an application for accessing a hierarchical database, comprising the steps of: (a) capturing a database description associated with the hierarchical database; (b) capturing a record layout associated with the hierarchical database; (c) associating the database description with the record layout to define a specification for the database; (d) generating one or more class definitions from the database specification, wherein the class definitions are instantiated as objects in an objects framework that encapsulate data retrieved from the database, wherein the objects framework provides a layered processing model that corresponds to application views, database definitions, and data defined and stored in the hierarchical database; and (e) generating one or more display forms from the database specification, wherein the display forms are used to display the data encapsulated by the instantiated objects in the objects framework.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
A computerized method for generating an application for accessing a hierarchical database, comprising the steps of: (a) capturing a database description associated with the hierarchical database; (b) capturing a record layout associated with the hierarchical database; (c) associating the database description with the record layout to define a specification for the database; (d) generating one or more class definitions from the database specification, wherein the class definitions are instantiated as objects in an objects framework that encapsulate data retrieved from the database, wherein the objects framework provides a layered processing model that corresponds to application views, database definitions, and data defined and stored in the hierarchical database; and (e) generating one or more display forms from the database specification, wherein the display forms are used to display the data encapsulated by the instantiated objects in the objects framework.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the display forms are HyperText Markup Language display forms.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the display forms are selected from a group comprising input forms and output forms.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 3, wherein the input forms include a hidden target data object class name.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of retrieving an object using the class name.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 3, wherein the input forms include one or more retrieval contexts.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of retrieving an object using a qualified search when the retrieval contexts are specified in the input form.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 6, wherein the retrieval contexts comprise key names for higher level segments in a hierarchical search path.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of retrieving an object using a non-qualified search when the retrieval contexts are not specified in the input form.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 3, wherein the input forms include one or more attributes for the target data object.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 3, wherein the input forms include one or more attributes for the target data object.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of dynamically building the output form from a skeleton output form combined with one or more attributes from the target data object.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of generating an output form containing fields associated with a specific data object.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of storing the database specification in a catalog.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the objects framework comprises a C++ class library that interfaces to the application program.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
168 words
A computerized apparatus for generating an application for accessing a hierarchical database, comprising: (a) a computer; (b) means, performed by the computer, for capturing a database description associated with the hierarchical database; (c) means, performed by the computer, for capturing a record layout associated with the hierarchical database; (d) means, performed by the computer, for associating the database description with the record layout to define a specification for the database; (e) means, performed by the computer, for generating one or more class definitions from the database specification, wherein the class definitions are instantiated as objects in an objects framework that encapsulate data retrieved from the database, wherein the objects framework provides a layered processing model that corresponds to application views, database definitions, and data defined and stored in the hierarchical database; and (f) means, performed by the computer, for generating one or more display forms from the database specification, wherein the display forms are used to display the data encapsulated by the instantiated objects in the objects framework.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
168 words
A computerized apparatus for generating an application for accessing a hierarchical database, comprising: (a) a computer; (b) means, performed by the computer, for capturing a database description associated with the hierarchical database; (c) means, performed by the computer, for capturing a record layout associated with the hierarchical database; (d) means, performed by the computer, for associating the database description with the record layout to define a specification for the database; (e) means, performed by the computer, for generating one or more class definitions from the database specification, wherein the class definitions are instantiated as objects in an objects framework that encapsulate data retrieved from the database, wherein the objects framework provides a layered processing model that corresponds to application views, database definitions, and data defined and stored in the hierarchical database; and (f) means, performed by the computer, for generating one or more display forms from the database specification, wherein the display forms are used to display the data encapsulated by the instantiated objects in the objects framework.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the display forms are HyperText Markup Language display forms.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the display forms are selected from a group comprising input forms and output forms.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 18, wherein the input forms include a hidden target data object class name.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising means for retrieving an object using the class name.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the input forms include one or more retrieval contexts.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising means for retrieving an object using a qualified search when the retrieval contexts are specified in the input form.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the retrieval contexts comprise key names for higher level segments in a hierarchical search path.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising means for retrieving an object using a non-qualified search when the retrieval contexts are not specified in the input form.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the input forms include one or more attributes for the target data object.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the input forms include one or more attributes for the target data object.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising means for dynamically building the output form from a skeleton output form combined with one or more attributes from the target data object.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising means for generating an output form containing fields associated with a specific data object.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising means for storing the database specification in a catalog.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the objects framework comprises a C++ class library that interfaces to the application program.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
164 words
An article of manufacture comprising a computer program carrier embodying one or more instructions that, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform method steps for generating an application for accessing a hierarchical database, the method comprising the steps of: (a) capturing a database description associated with the hierarchical database; (b) capturing a record layout associated with the hierarchical database; (c) associating the database description with the record layout to define a specification for the database; (d) generating one or more class definitions from the database specification, wherein the class definitions are instantiated as objects in an objects framework that encapsulate data retrieved from the database, wherein the objects framework provides a layered processing model that corresponds to application views, database definitions, and data defined and stored in the hierarchical database; and (e) generating one or more display forms from the database specification, wherein the display forms are used to display the data encapsulated by the instantiated objects in the objects framework.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
164 words
An article of manufacture comprising a computer program carrier embodying one or more instructions that, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform method steps for generating an application for accessing a hierarchical database, the method comprising the steps of: (a) capturing a database description associated with the hierarchical database; (b) capturing a record layout associated with the hierarchical database; (c) associating the database description with the record layout to define a specification for the database; (d) generating one or more class definitions from the database specification, wherein the class definitions are instantiated as objects in an objects framework that encapsulate data retrieved from the database, wherein the objects framework provides a layered processing model that corresponds to application views, database definitions, and data defined and stored in the hierarchical database; and (e) generating one or more display forms from the database specification, wherein the display forms are used to display the data encapsulated by the instantiated objects in the objects framework.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 31, wherein the display forms are HyperText Markup Language display forms.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 31, wherein the display forms are selected from a group comprising input forms and output forms.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 33, wherein the input forms include a hidden target data object class name.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 34, further comprising the step of retrieving an object using the class name.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 33, wherein the input forms include one or more retrieval contexts.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 36, further comprising the step of retrieving an object using a qualified search when the retrieval contexts are specified in the input form.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 36, wherein the retrieval contexts comprise key names for higher level segments in a hierarchical search path.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 36, further comprising the step of retrieving an object using a non-qualified search when the retrieval contexts are not specified in the input form.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 33, wherein the input forms include one or more attributes for the target data object.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 33, wherein the input forms include one or more attributes for the target data object.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 33, further comprising the step of dynamically building the output form from a skeleton output form combined with one or more attributes from the target data object.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 33, further comprising the step of generating an output form containing fields associated with a specific data object.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 31, further comprising the step of storing the database specification in a catalog.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 31, wherein the objects framework comprises a C++ class library that interfaces to the application program.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5421015A
Cited
US5303379A
Cited
US5161225A
Cited
US5297279A
Cited
US5437027A
Cited
US5235701A
Cited
US5379419A
Cited
US5291583A
Cited
US5295256A
Cited
US5212787A
Cited
US5426747A
Cited
US5581756A
Cited
US5414812A
Cited
US5459860A
Cited
US5613099A
Cited
US5499371A
Cited
US5627979A
Cited
US5542078A
Cited
US5737597A
Cited
US5737598A
Cited
US5764979A
Cited
US5794248A
Cited
US5799313A
Cited
US5809509A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-10-03 | 2004-04-03 | 2004-10-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-10-03 | 2008-04-03 | 2008-10-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-10-03 | 2012-04-03 | 2012-10-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |