# US 6,725,232 B2 · Database system for laboratory management and knowledge exchange

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 6,725,232 B2
- Document ID: US6725232B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 09/765,807
- Filed: 2001-01-19
- Published: 2003-09-04
- Granted: 2004-04-20
- Earliest claimed: 2001-01-19
- Assignees: Drexel University
- Inventors: Jean-Claude Bradley; Benjamin P. Samuel; Nadarajan S. Babu
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6725232B2

## CPC

- G06F 16/21: Design, administration or maintenance of databases
- Y10S 707/99943: Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface
- Y10S 707/99944: Object-oriented database structure
- Y10S 707/99945: Object-oriented database structure processing
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)
- Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS

## Abstract

A database system is provided that allows for navigation to outgoing links and incoming links. The database system is defined by a plurality of database-oriented projects. Each project has one or more parameters. Each project also has one or more instances thereof. An entry is associated with each parameter in each instance of a project. In a project, a parameter may be defined as being a parameter of a previously defined project. If so, then the parameter is designated as a link to the parameter of the previously defined project. The link designation changes the structure of the database system. The name of a previously defined instance of a previously defined project is entered for the linked parameter entry. When a previously defined instance of a project having at least one linked parameter entry is displayed, an instance of a project having a linked parameter entry may be viewed by selecting the respective link from the display, thereby providing navigation to an outgoing link. The display further includes links to any instances having at least one link to the currently displayed instance of a project. The linked instances may be viewed by selecting the respectively displayed link from the display, thereby providing navigation to an incoming link. Furthermore, the entire process may be performed through a web browser interface. Also, reports are periodically generated of any user activity relating to users defining, modifying or viewing projects, parameters or instances. The reports are electronically communicated to predefined entities, thereby allowing the entities to be periodically made aware of any activity within the database system, including any changes made to the structure of the database as a result of defining or modifying projects. Knowledge exchange schemes are implemented using the database systems.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of establishing a database system, the database system being defined by a plurality of database-oriented projects, each project having one or more parameters, each project also having one or more instances thereof, wherein an entry is associated with each parameter in each instance of a project, the method comprising:
(a) for at least one project, defining at least one parameter as being a parameter of a previously defined project;
(b) designating the at least one parameter as a link to the parameter of the previously defined project, wherein the link designation changes the structure of the database system;
(c) entering the name of a previously defined instance of a previously defined project for any linked parameter entries;
(d) displaying a previously defined instance of a project having at least one linked parameter entries; and
(e) viewing an instance of a project having a linked parameter entry by selecting the respective link from the display.

### Claim 2

A method of establishing a database system, the database system being defined by a plurality of database-oriented projects, each project having one or more parameters, each project also having one or more instances thereof, wherein an entry is associated with each parameter in each instance of a project, the method comprising:
(a) for at least one project, defining at least one parameter as being a parameter of a previously defined project;
(b) designating the at least one parameter as a link to the parameter of the previously defined project, wherein the link designation changes the structure of the database system;
(c) entering the name of a previously defined instance of a previously defined project for any linked parameter entries; and
(d) displaying a previously defined instance of a project, the display further including links to any instances having at least one link to the currently displayed instance of a project.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2 further comprising:
(e) viewing the linked instances by selecting the respectively displayed link from the display.

### Claim 4

A method of establishing a database system, the database system being defined by a plurality of database-oriented projects, each project having one or more parameters, the method comprising:
(a) for at least one project, via a web browser interface, defining at least one parameter as being a parameter of a previously defined instance of a project;
(b) via a web browser interface, designating the at least one parameter as a link to the parameter of the previously defined instance of a project; and
(c) using the link designation to change the structure of the database system, wherein the structure of the database system is not limited to a tree structure.