US6397203B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Defining object classes to match corresponding specialized data types in a relational database
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1998-09-30
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Granted: 2002-05-28
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Expires: 2018-09-30
Abstract
Abstract A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for defining object classes to match corresponding specialized data types stored in a relational database. An object-oriented application program may create an instance of a class for the purpose of representing data in a relational table that comprise a specialized data type. The attributes and behavior of the specialized data type in the database are preserved, where appropriate, in the corresponding class, and are available to the application program.
Inventors
- 👤 Douglas Michael Hembry
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 00:15
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/20; G06F16/28; G06F16/289; G06F16/284; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99931; Y10S707/99932
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for accessing a database, comprising the steps of: (a) defining at least one object class in a memory of a computer to match at least one specialized data type stored in the database, wherein at least one method of the object classes produces similar results as equivalent query language expressions for the specialized data types evaluated by a database manager for the database; and (b) creating at least one instance of the defined object classes in the memory of the computer to manipulate data retrieved from the database that comprise the specialized data types.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for accessing a database, comprising the steps of: (a) defining at least one object class in a memory of a computer to match at least one specialized data type stored in the database, wherein at least one method of the object classes produces similar results as equivalent query language expressions for the specialized data types evaluated by a database manager for the database; and (b) creating at least one instance of the defined object classes in the memory of the computer to manipulate data retrieved from the database that comprise the specialized data types.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 above, wherein the defining step further comprises the step of defining the object classes within a Component Broker.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 above, wherein the methods are selected from a group comprising object initialization, comparisons, query functions, and manipulation functions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 above, wherein attributes and methods associated with the specialized data type are preserved in the defined object classes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 4 above, wherein the methods emulate semantics of the specialized data types.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 above, wherein a public interface of the defined object classes matches characteristics and usage of the specialized data type in the database.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 above, wherein the specialized data types are selected from a group comprising date, decimal, duration, time, and timestamp.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 above, wherein the defined object classes are selected from a group comprising date class, decimal class, duration class, time class, and timestamp class.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 8 above, wherein the date class stores a calendar date value.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 8 above, wherein the decimal class stores a decimal value.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 8 above, wherein the duration class stores a duration value.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 8 above, wherein the time class stores a time-of-day value.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 8 above, wherein the timestamp class stores a timestamp value.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
111 words
A computer-implemented system for accessing a database, comprising: (a) a processor having a memory; and (b) one or more instructions, performed by the processor, for defining at least one object class in the memory of the processor to match at least one specialized data type stored in the database, wherein at least one member function of the object classes produces similar results as equivalent query language expressions for the specialized data types evaluated by a database manager for the database, and for creating at least one instance of the defined object classes in the memory of the processor to manipulate data retrieved from the database that comprise the specialized data types.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
111 words
A computer-implemented system for accessing a database, comprising: (a) a processor having a memory; and (b) one or more instructions, performed by the processor, for defining at least one object class in the memory of the processor to match at least one specialized data type stored in the database, wherein at least one member function of the object classes produces similar results as equivalent query language expressions for the specialized data types evaluated by a database manager for the database, and for creating at least one instance of the defined object classes in the memory of the processor to manipulate data retrieved from the database that comprise the specialized data types.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 14 above, wherein the instructions for defining further comprise instructions for defining the object classes within a Component Broker.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 15 above, wherein the member functions are selected from a group comprising object initialization, comparisons, query functions, and manipulation functions.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 14 above, wherein attributes and member functions associated with the specialized data type are preserved in the defined object classes.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 17 above, wherein the member functions emulate semantics of the specialized data types.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 14 above, wherein a public interface of the defined object classes matches characteristics and usage of the specialized data type in the database.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 14 above, wherein the specialized data types are selected from a group comprising date, decimal, duration, time, and timestamp.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 14 above, wherein the defined object classes are selected from a group comprising date class, decimal class, duration class, time class, and timestamp class.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 21 above, wherein the date class stores a calendar date value.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 21 above, wherein the decimal class stores a decimal value.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 21 above, wherein the duration class stores a duration value.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 21 above, wherein the time class stores a time-of-day value.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 21 above, wherein the timestamp class stores a timestamp value.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
105 words
An article of manufacture comprising a carrier embodying logic for accessing a database, the method comprising the steps of: (a) defining at least one object class in a memory of a computer to match at least one specialized data type stored in the database, wherein at least one method of the object classes produces similar results as equivalent query language expressions for the specialized data types evaluated by a database manager for the database; and (b) creating at least one instance of the defined object classes in the memory of the computer to manipulate data retrieved from the database that comprise the specialized data types.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
105 words
An article of manufacture comprising a carrier embodying logic for accessing a database, the method comprising the steps of: (a) defining at least one object class in a memory of a computer to match at least one specialized data type stored in the database, wherein at least one method of the object classes produces similar results as equivalent query language expressions for the specialized data types evaluated by a database manager for the database; and (b) creating at least one instance of the defined object classes in the memory of the computer to manipulate data retrieved from the database that comprise the specialized data types.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 27 above, wherein the defining step further comprises the step of defining the object classes within a Component Broker.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 27 above, wherein the methods are selected from a group comprising object initialization, comparisons, query functions, and manipulation functions.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 27 above, wherein attributes and methods associated with the specialized data type are preserved in the defined object classes.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 30 above, wherein the methods emulate semantics of the specialized data types.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 27 above, wherein a public interface of the defined object classes matches characteristics and usage of the specialized data type in the database.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 27 above, wherein the specialized data types are selected from a group comprising date, decimal, duration, time, and timestamp.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 27 above, wherein the defined object classes are selected from a group comprising date class, decimal class, duration class, time class, and timestamp class.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 34 above, wherein the date class stores a calendar date value.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 34 above, wherein the decimal class stores a decimal value.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 34 above, wherein the duration class stores a duration value.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 34 above, wherein the time class stores a time-of-day value.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 34 above, wherein the timestamp class stores a timestamp value.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-05-27 | 2005-11-26 | 2006-05-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-05-27 | 2009-11-26 | 2010-05-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-05-27 | 2013-11-26 | 2014-05-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |