Scaled depiction of information from a database
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsBruce A. Tate, Shih-Gong Li
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method, system and program providing scaled depiction of information from a database. In a preferred form, tables and lists are obtained from a database and used to build a data structure. The data structure is employed to define various relationships between the dynamic data and the database information using a numberline to display ranges of information to a user. The system employs a query interface and a relational database to provide an ergonomic, natural display system for a database user.
Claims15
An apparatus for displaying a plurality of columns from a database as a plurality of numberlines, said numberlines used to generate a database query, comprising:
- a processor;
- use controls;
- in response to said user controls, means for controlling said processor to retrieve a plurality of columns from said database;
- a display for displaying a range of values of each of said retrieved columns, each of said ranges being displayed as one of said numberlines;
- in response to said user controls, means for controlling said processor to create at least one subrange of values on each of said numberlines;
- and
- means for controlling said processor to build a database query from said subranges.
A method for controlling a computer system, having at least user controls to control a pointer and a display, to display at least one column from a database as a numberline, said numberline used to generate a database query, comprising the computer-implemented steps of:
- (a) in response to said user controls, retrieving at least one column from said database;
- (b) displaying a range of values for said retrieved column as a numberline on said display;
- (c) in response to said user controls, creating at least one subrange of values on said numberline;
- (d) repeating said steps (a) through (c) until no more columns are retrieved;
- and
- (e) building a database query using each of said subranges.
An apparatus for displaying at least one column from a database as a numberline, said numberline used to generate a database query, comprising:
- a processor;
- user controls;
- in response to a first command from said user controls, said processor for retrieving at least one column from said database;
- a display for displaying a range of values for said retrieved column, said range being displayed as a numberline;
- in response to a second command from said user controls, said processor for creating at least a first subrange of values on said numberline;
- and
- said processor for building a database query from said subrange.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.