Logical schema to allow access to a relational database without using knowledge of the database structure

Patent 5701453 Issued on December 23, 1997. Estimated Expiration Date:

December 23, 2014. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

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Inventors

Assignee

Informix Software, Inc.

Application

No. 086001 filed on 07/01/1993

US Classes:

707/2, Access augmentation or optimizing707/4, Query formulation, input preparation, or translation707/100, DATABASE SCHEMA OR DATA STRUCTURE707/102Generating database or data structure (e.g., via user interface)

Examiners

Primary: Black, Thomas G.
Assistant: Alam, Hosain T.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Fish & Richardson P.C.

International Class

G06F 017/30

Abstract

Logical schemas are used to allow an end user the ability to access and manipulate relational database data without knowledge of the structure of the relational database. A logical schema is first created specifying which tables are available to an end user, and the relationships between columns of those tables. The logical schema defines a structure for the data fields having a master level and a plurality of detail levels. An end user may manipulate the logical schema using a graphical interface to build customized forms, reports, and queries. An end user is not required to be familiar with a database query language, such as SQL, or the structure of the relational database.

Other References

"DATAPLEX: an access to heterogeneous distributed databases" by Chin-Wan Chung, Communications of the ACM, v33, n1, p. 70(11), Jan. 1990
An Introduction to UNIFACE, Uniface Corporation, Alameda, CA, Jun., 1992, pp. 1-6