Query Model Tool for Visual Grouping of Database Predicates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing query tools are limited in assisting users with complex query syntax, lack flexibility, and fail to provide a user-friendly interface for creating, modifying, and representing structured query language statements, especially for graphical user interfaces and multiple query dialects.

Innovation Solution

A user-friendly interactive system with a graphical user interface for creating, modifying, and modeling database query statements, including a modeling schema that represents complex query elements in a granular and understandable manner, supporting multiple query dialects and allowing dynamic adaptation to query elements, with the ability to reconstruct any query element and its subelements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing query tools are used, then basic query syntax can be handled, but complex query elements cannot be effectively represented or manipulated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability to handle complex query elementsVSAvoidcomplexity of query representation format

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The query model segments complex query elements into hierarchical nodes and subnodes, where each node represents a specific query element (e.g., predicates, conditions, operators) and can be independently manipulated. This segmentation allows complex queries to be broken down into manageable components that can be visually represented and edited in the graphical interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary layer between the user interface and the underlying query syntax through a standardized query model. This model acts as a mediator that translates user-friendly graphical operations into the appropriate query language syntax, handling the complexity of different query dialects internally while presenting a unified interface to users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If manual input of complex queries is required, then query precision can be maintained, but user effort and time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequery syntax accuracyVSAvoidtime to create and modify queries

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The query tool provides self-service capabilities by automatically generating, validating, and optimizing query syntax based on user selections in the graphical interface. The system automatically handles syntax construction, error detection, and query optimization, eliminating the need for users to manually write complex query syntax while maintaining high accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-defining query templates, validation rules, and syntax structures. When users interact with the graphical interface, these pre-prepared structures are automatically applied and adapted to the specific query requirements, reducing the time needed to create accurate queries from scratch.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If query tools are designed for specific user interfaces, then interface functionality can be optimized, but flexibility across different interface formats is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interface functionalityVSAvoidcompatibility with different interface formats

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The query model is designed with universal principles that allow it to function across multiple user interface formats and query dialects. The standardized node-based representation and systematic relationships between query elements can be mapped to different interface paradigms (graphical, text-based, voice-based) without losing functionality or adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Loss of information

If detailed representation of query elements is provided, then query understanding is improved, but interface complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverepresentation clarity of query elementsVSAvoidinterface structural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves the complexity issue by adding a hierarchical dimension to the interface design. Detailed query elements are represented through multi-level nesting of nodes and subnodes, allowing comprehensive information representation while maintaining a clean top-level interface structure. Users can drill down into details only when needed, keeping the overall interface simple while providing deep representation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS8458164B2Query model tool and method for visually grouping and ungrouping predicates

Publication Date: 2013.06.04 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

A user-friendly query modeling tool and method, for representing, creating, modifying and modeling a query language statement for use in retrieving data from a database. In accordance with the present invention, the tool includes a user interface for receiving or building and manipulating a query, a query model definition for use in populating instances of one or more query models, and a model content provider for receiving query elements from the user interface and providing them to the query model, and conversely, for retrieving query elements from the query model and providing them to the user interface. The user interface enables the user to easily group and ungroup query elements by providing a visual tool for selecting query elements to be grouped and ungrouped.