Automatic, context-organizing, query interface

An apparatus comprising a processor, an input device operably connected to the processor, an output device operably connected to the processor, and a memory device operably connected to the processor, the memory device comprising:

• an argument block adapted to store data corresponding to arguments;
• an operator block adapted to store data corresponding to logical operators;
• a Boolean block adapted to store data corresponding to Boolean operators;
• a group block adapted to store data corresponding to groups, wherein groups may be related to one another by group Boolean operators selected from the Boolean operators, and wherein a group comprises at least one relation comprising selected arguments of the arguments, related by a selected logical operator of the logical operators;
• a template block adapted to store data corresponding to a graphic image presentable by the output device and corresponding to interactive, two-dimensional regions uniquely corresponding to groups, relations, arguments, logical operators, and Boolean operators, respectively.

A method of separately selecting operators, including Boolean operators and logical operators, and arguments, for combination in a combined expression representing logical and Boolean operations on the arguments, the method comprising:

• creating a first relation by selecting a first argument,
• selecting a first logical operator, and selecting a second argument related to the first argument by the first logical operator;
• selecting a first Boolean operator relating the first relation to a second relation;
• creating the second relation by selecting a third argument, selecting a second logical operator, and selecting a fourth argument related to the third argument by the second logical operator;
• and
• feeding back to a user by a display device, a text statement written in a natural language syntax, and corresponding to the first, second, third, and fourth arguments and the logical and Boolean operators.

A method comprising:

• selecting a database stored in a memory device, the database comprising a plurality of records, each record of the plurality of records comprising a plurality of fields, each field of the plurality of fields having a fieldname associated therewith and a fieldtype bound to the fieldname;
• initiating a dialogue for receiving inputs directed to a processor operably connected to the memory device, and for providing outputs directed from the processor;
• linking each of the fieldtypes to at least one logical operator;
• selecting a first selected fieldname from the plurality of fieldnames;
• selecting a first selected logical operator from said at least one logical operator;
• providing a first fieldvalue related to the first fieldname by the logical operator;
• selecting a selected Boolean operator for relating the selected fieldname to a second selected fieldname;
• selecting the second selected fieldname from the plurality of fieldnames;
• selecting a second selected logical operator, corresponding to the second selected fieldname, from the at least one logical operator corresponding to the second selected fieldname;
• providing a second fieldvalue related to a second selected fieldname by the second selected logical operator;
• and
• providing to an output device a text statement written in a natural language syntax using text elements comprising the first fieldname, an operator expression corresponding to the first selected logical operator, the fieldvalue, a Boolean expression corresponding to the Boolean operator, the second fieldname, a second logical operator expression corresponding to the second selected logical operator, and the second fieldvalue.

An apparatus comprising a processor running an application, an input device operably connected to the processor, an output device operably connected to the processor, a memory device operably connected to the processor, the output device comprising a template displaying:

• a first image corresponding to a first logical relation, the first image comprising a first argument window, adapted to present a first argument recognizable by the application, and a button effective to select a first logical operator bound to the first argument;
• a second image corresponding to a second logical relation, the second image comprising:
• a second argument window adapted to present a second argument related to the first argument by the first logical operator to form the first logical relation, the second argument being selectable by a user and recognizable by the application,
• a first new argument window adapted to present a first new argument recognizable by the application,
• a new button effective to select a first new logical operator bound to the new first argument, and
• a second new argument window adapted to present a second new argument related to the first new argument by the first new logical operator to form the second logical relation, the second new argument being selectable by a user and recognizable by the application;
• a third image corresponding to a first Boolean relation relating the first logical relation to the second logical relation.

An apparatus comprising:

• a processor running an application;
• an input device operably connected to the processor;
• an output device operably connected to the processor;
• a memory device operably connected to the processor;
• the output device comprising a template displaying:
• a first image corresponding to a first logical relation,
• a second image corresponding to a second logical relation and
• a third image corresponding to a first Boolean relation relating the first logical relation to the second logical relation,
• a first group, the first group including the first and second logical relations and the first Boolean relation,
• a second group related to the first group by an inter-group Boolean operator, and
• a second Boolean button corresponding to the inter-group Boolean operator.

An apparatus comprising:

• a processor running an application;
• an input device operably connected to the processor;
• an output device operably connected to the processor;
• a memory device operably connected to the processor;
• and
• the output device comprising a template displaying:
• a first image corresponding to a first logical relation,
• a second image corresponding to a second logical relation,
• a third image corresponding to a first Boolean relation relating the first logical relation to the second logical relation, and
• a text window feeding back to a user a language text equivalent of the first logical relation, second logical relation, and first Boolean relation, all selected by a user.