Graphic user interface for database system

Abstract

A graphic user interface method for representing a search of a database, providing a plurality of stylized Venn diagrams each representing an intersection of at least two sets; receiving from the user, for each generic graphic icon, a selection of at least one region, defining an output data set; presenting the generic graphic icons on the graphic user interface as modified graphic icons, each having graphic indication of the selections; and receiving linkage information from the user for the modified graphic icons to represent a composite set inclusion property, based on the output data sets and the linkage information. Once a search is defined, it may be translated, as necessary, for execution by a typical database search engine. Retrieved results may be quautified and ranked by the interface system fur optimal presentation to the user.

Description

[0001]The present application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08 / 772,650 filed Dec. 23, 1996, the entirety of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference U.S. Pat. No. 5,966,126.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to the field of graphic user interfaces for computer systems, and more particularly to graphic user interface systems having graphic objects representing data sets, in which a manipulation of the graphic object instructs the system to perform logical or set theory operations on the data represented by the graphic object.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Traditionally, graphic user interfaces (hereinafter “GUIs”) have been employed to facilitate interaction of a user with the file and execution system of a computer system, to present information graphically and / or in a manner approximating a printed page (“what you see is what you get” or “WYSIWYG”), or to present a desktop metaphor. Of course, there are other aspects of mo...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0028]The present invention therefore addresses these problems, and provides other advantages, through a new type of system for dealing with data sets graphically at a user, rather than programmer, level. As envisioned by the present invention, sets of data within a data space are represented graphically. In general, the data set represented by the graphic representation are defined by a rule or set of rules. However, a particular advantage of the present invention is that a plurality of these graphic representations, each representing a different data set defined by a different rule or set of rules, may be defined and depicted on the interface, either discretely, sequentially or simultaneously. Typically, a user will seek to use the database system to help define an optimal resulting data subset, wherein the rule or rules defining that data set are unknown at the outset or are inefficiently defined as a single consolidated set of rules. Thus, by defining a group of less complex rule sets, and then consolidating the rule sets, the desired information may be analyzed and extracted.

[0029]One aspect of the present system therefore presents a basic or generic icon, defining a plurality of logical data regions representing a Boolean relationship of two or more data sets. For simplicity, the majority of the present description will focus on the relationship of two sets, with the extensions to the representation of three or more sets as known in the art.

[0030]In a preferred embodiment, a generic icon is provided as a Venn diagram icon, divided into four set spaces, with two intersecting circles in a rectangular box. The space within each circle and not intersecting defining two set spaces, the intersection defining a third set space, and the external area defining a fourth set space. These act spaces are independently selectable, defining the various binary operators of the elements of sets A and B, in groups of up to four spaces, as shown in FIG. 6:

[0031]set spacenumber of regions not emptynull set(0)A NOT B(1)B NOT A(1)NOT (A OR B)(1)A AND B(1)A(2)B(2)NOT A(2)NOT B(2)A XOR B(2)NOT (A XOR B)(2)A OR NOT (A OR B)(3)B OR NOT (A OR B)(3)NOT (A AND B)(3)A OR B(3)A OR NOT A(4)

[0032]In this system, a generic graphic icon is defined having a boundary and two intersecting areas in the boundary, each area representing a data set, an intersecting portion of the areas representing a conjunction of the data sets. The generic icon thus has four discrete regions, the portion outside the union of the areas, an intersecting portion of the areas, and portions within one area and not within the other area. A selection of one or more regions within the boundary is received from the user to define an output data set and presenting the generic graphic icon on the GUI as a first modified graphic icon, having visual indication of the selected regions corresponding to the defined output set. In addition, a set inclusion property is defined to correspond to each data set for the first modified graphic icon. These graphic icons may be selected from a pick list or tool bar or generated from a template generic icon. For example, commonly used relationships may be provided on a tool bar, with all possibilities available by manipulation of a generic icon template, in which selected regions are altered, e.g., change color. The icon may then be used in a larger graphic representation of a complex logical definition, by chaining or linking a plurality of icons together. This chaining or linking process is generally by graphic connector lines which connect the inputs and outputs of the iconic representation. These connector lines may be smart, i.e., intelligently routed, spaced and sized in accordance with the overall search strategy, graphic presentation and page or presentation layout.

[0033]A preferred Venn diagram icon according to the present invention includes a rectangular box with two overlapping circles staggered symmetrically along the elongated axis. Each circle is connected to a line intersecting a side of the box, either spaced through an elongated side or through opposite short sides, from the outside. A third line emanates from an elongated side of the box, opposite the inputs if these pass through au elongated side. Each line may be provided with an arrowhead to indicate the nature of the line as generally being considered an input or an output, with an arrowhead pointing inward for an input and outward for an output. The circle closest to each line corresponds to that line. The standard Venn diagram notation is employed, e.g., a change in color or density of a circle to represent selection of a particular set, with each graphic region representing a different subset of the data space.

Problems solved by technology

In general, however, the user does not operate to modify the icon itself with a corresponding function executed by the operating system or application.

These systems do not, however, provide a generic icon which is modified to reflect a data subset employed.

However, it is not well known in the art of front ends for search engines or browsers to use well-articulated graphical representations of set theory, including graphical representations of the logical operations “AND”, “OR” and “NOT,” and any symbols that are used tend to be static and non-manipulable.

Thus, this system allows the user to visualize the element of the search in a graphical representation, but does not graphically represent the chaining of search criteria.

This system does not provide for interactive modification of the search based on the graphic representation.

Thus, while AND, OR and NOT are readily understood, a complex expression employing such words may become incomprehensible.

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