Patent Grant
7984057
The present invention relates generally to computer systems, and more specifically to querying in a computer system. In particular, the invention relates to querying for a dynamic set of data files on a computer using an Autolist as at least a portion of the scope of the search matching a search criteria.
Computer users often have a need to find files or folders stored at various locations on a computer or network. These files or folders may be searched based on a set of criteria as specified by the user. Typically, the user must specify the folders in which the user wishes to search, i.e., the scope of the search. For example, a user wishing to find all files satisfying desired criteria must specify which folders or computer drives to search, e.g. search the C: drive, D: drive, or C:\users\foo, etc.
Prior techniques of searching for desired files have been problematic and frustrating for the computer user. For example, these prior techniques typically permit searching for files within a specified scope. However, by searching in a specified scope of search, there is no flexibility in the search in the event that the range of files to be searched is changed independent of the scope. Prior techniques of searching for files are also inflexible because a search query in one search cannot be used to search for files in another search. Thus, prior art techniques do not provide the user with the capability of performing a search with a query definition by incorporating another query definition. Also, prior techniques of searching for files do not provide for the ability to dynamically alter a query definition such that a second search incorporating the query definition may be automatically updated. Rather, the user must repeatedly specify the search criteria or query definitions.
As a user continues to search for and identify data files, the data files become more and more abundant. Data files are stored in a pattern or taxonomy (e.g., directory structure). As new data files are identified (i.e., with new searches), these new data files are added to the existing directory structure or taxonomies, typically grouped according to specified criteria. For example, the specified criteria may correspond to search criteria for the data files identified. If a user changes the desired criteria on a subsequent search or otherwise alters the search criteria, additional data files may be identified satisfying the new search criteria. As more and more new searches are made with new search criteria, identified data files continue to be added to the existing taxonomy or directory structure. However, the new data files are merely included by adding the additional search criteria to the existing taxonomy (e.g., as subfolders) rather than dynamically updating the existing taxonomy based on modified search criteria. This results in rigid sets of identified data files that may correspond to potentially outdated search criteria because the taxonomy or directory structure of the identified data files is unable to fluidly adapt to changes in the search criteria.
For example, a computer user wishing to find all audio files on the computer for favorite (e.g., 5 star rating) 80's songs must specify all necessary filters, e.g., 80's music and/or 5 star for each search. If new files or songs are added, the search would have to be recreated and repeated. Because it is likely that new files are being added or removed periodically, the computer user would always have to repeat the time-consuming process of recreating the search criteria for an updated list of files. Also, if a modification of the query definition for identifying the desired files occurs, the user would be unable to easily and efficiently incorporate the modifications in the query definition in a second search that incorporates the query definition. Rather, the user must enter the search criteria again and repeat the search. Also, the user would have to manually re-organize a potentially large number of data files according to updated criteria.
Similarly, the computer user would also have to re-search for the same or modified list of files in a user specified folder or volume. This is frustrating for the user because desired files may be located in a folder other than the folder searched. If that is the case, the computer user who is searching in a different folder would fail to successfully locate all the files. Thus, the file would be effectively “lost” and the computer user would lose access to the file even if only because the file is not readily locatable.
Thus, there exists a need in the art for a system and method in which a computer user may locate desired files on a computer effectively and efficiently by defining or composing a query. Also, there is a need in the art to increase flexibility of a file search by providing a method and system for further utilizing a query within a query or combining queries and other filter information. There also exists a need in the art for a system and method in which to build a query structure that relates to other query structures such that other query definitions from other queries may flow into the query structure.
The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. The following summary merely presents some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description provided below.
To overcome limitations in the prior art described above, and to overcome other limitations that will be apparent upon reading and understanding the present specification, in a first illustrative aspect of the invention, a search for at least one data file matching a search criteria is performed within a scope that is at least partially defined by a dynamic set of search criteria. The data file may be any computer data structure or file, such as, but not limited to, an executable program, a data link library, a configuration file, a database, a document file, a graphical image, a video file, a binary data file, a text data file, an object file, a source code file, an application specific file type, any other file, or other atomic data unit such as an email, calendar item, contact, task, etc. In this example, a computer may receive a query that defines a set of data files. The query defines the set of data files based on at least one criteria, termed “query definition.” The query definition (including filter information for filtering a set of data files to obtain data files satisfying criteria set forth in the filter information) may be, for example, a desired keyword or a desired criteria, such as, but not limited to, a creation date of the file, a date the file was last modified, or any other condition that characterizes the data file.
An “Autolist” may be used to identify or search for desired data files. An Autolist, as used herein, refers to a persisted query definition that may be used to obtain a set of matching data files at any given time. The set of data files obtained from an Autolist is dynamic in that new data files satisfying the associated Autolist or persisted query definition are automatically returned upon invocation of the Autolist. Likewise, data files that no longer satisfy the associated Autolist (e.g., modifications to the data file cause the data file to no longer satisfy the query definition) result in the data file being automatically removed such that the data file is no longer returned upon invocation of the Autolist.
In one embodiment, an Autolist causes the return of a dynamic set of data files that match the corresponding persisted query definition. For example, a query definition may be received containing a set of desired criteria. The query definition may be applied to a search of data files to locate all data files that satisfy the query definition. Hence, an Autolist may be used to define the query definition for which a search may return data files satisfying the query definition.
In another example of the present invention, an Autolist may be used to define the scope of a second search for data files. In this example, an Autolist comprising a persisted query definition is received and data files satisfying the Autolist are identified. However, a second Autolist may be further received such that in addition to identifying data files satisfying the query definition set forth by the first Autolist, data files satisfying the query definition set forth by the second query definition are also identified. The data files that satisfy either the first Autolist or the second Autolist may also be dynamic in that any modifications to the data files or addition of new files are automatically reflected in the inclusions in either the first or the second Autolist. Thus, for example, if data files satisfying the query definition as set forth in the first Autolist are modified such that the data files no longer satisfy the first Autolist, the data files that no longer satisfy the first Autolist may be automatically removed such that they are not returned by the first Autolist. Similarly, data files that are modified such that the data files no longer satisfy the second autolist may also be removed from the second Autolist (i.e., not returned by the second Autolist).
In another aspect of the present invention, any number of Autolists may be used as a scope of search to define another Autolist. For example, two or more Autolists, each of which may be associated with an associated persisted query definition as set forth above, may be combined to define a scope of search for a dynamic set of data files. This combination of Autolists may define the scope of search such that a new Autolist is received and a set of data files is returned, the returned set of data files satisfying either of the Autolists to define the scope of search and also satisfying any criteria set forth in the new Autolist.
In another example of the present invention, additional criteria may be added to the Autolist resulting in an expanded persisted query definition. For example, a query definition may be received with additional filter information (i.e., search criteria) and the scope of the search may be defined by an Autolist such that data files satisfying the query definition of the Autolist and the additional filter information are found and returned. In this example, if a data file either does not satisfy the Autolist query definition or does not satisfy the additional filter information, the data file is not included in the group of returned data files. The group of returned data files may further be included in a subsequent search using a new Autolist.
In another aspect of the present invention, an Autolist is modified and causes an automatic corresponding modification in another Autolist. For example, a first Autolist may define a scope of search for a second Autolist. If the first Autolist is updated or modified, the scope of search for the second Autolist is automatically updated corresponding to the change in the first Autolist.
Also the invention may be implemented as software stored in a computer memory, may be run under the control of the computer's operating system, and may be used to search for files meeting various criteria defined by a user. As an example, the present invention provides a computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for searching or querying data files using Autolists.
In the following description of the various embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration various embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Aspects of the present invention provide a method and system for querying and searching for data files on a computer using Autolists. As set forth above, an Autolist is a persisted query definition usable at any given time to obtain a set of files matching the query definition. The set of data files obtained from an Autolist is dynamic in that new data files satisfying the associated Autolist or persisted query definition are returned upon invocation of the Autolist. Likewise, data files that no longer satisfy the associated Autolist (e.g., modifications to the data file cause the data file to no longer satisfy the query definition) result in the data file no longer being returned upon invocation of the Autolist. Also as set forth above, an Autolist may be used to define the scope of search for another Autolist or persisted query definition.
In another example of one embodiment of the present invention, an Autolist may return data files that are located in different memory locations including but not limited to folders, volumes, remote machines or devices, etc. The search of the data files via the Autolist may be based on a property of the data files searched rather than the location of the data files in memory and may thus span any memory location. Further, an Autolist may be persisted by storing a definition of the Autolist in a data structure.
In another aspect of the present invention, an Autolist query may be used to define the scope of search to identify data files for another Autolist. This process enhances flexibility of the data file or document search. In yet another aspect of the present invention, an Autolist query may be combined with other filter information or criteria.
The invention is operational with numerous other general purpose or special purpose computing system environments or configurations. Examples of well known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use with the invention include, but are not limited to, personal computers, server computers, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributed computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like.
With reference to
Computer 110 typically includes a variety of computer readable media. Computer readable media includes both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example, and not limitation, computer readable media may comprise computer storage media and communication media and includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can accessed by computer 110. Communication media typically embodies computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media includes' wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of any of the above should also be included within the scope of computer readable media.
The system memory 130 includes computer storage media in the form of volatile and/or nonvolatile memory such as read only memory (ROM) 131 and random access memory (RAM) 132. A basic input/output system 133 (BIOS), containing the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within computer 110, such as during start-up, is typically stored in ROM 131. RAM 132 typically contains data and/or program modules that are immediately accessible to and/or presently being operated on by processing unit 120. By way of example, and not limitation,
The computer 110 may also include other removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storage media. By way of example only,
The drives and their associated computer storage media discussed above and illustrated in
The computer 110 may operate in a networked environment using logical connections to one or more remote computers, such as a remote computer 180. The remote computer 180 may be a personal computer, a server, a router, a network PC, a peer device or other common network node, and typically includes many or all of the elements described above relative to the computer 110, although only a memory storage device 181 has been illustrated in
When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 110 is connected to the LAN 171 through a network interface or adapter 170. When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 110 typically includes a modem 172 or other means for establishing communications over the WAN 173, such as the Internet. The modem 172, which may be internal or external, may be connected to the system bus 121 via the user input interface 160, or other appropriate mechanism. In a networked environment, program modules depicted relative to the computer 110, or portions thereof, may be stored in the remote memory storage device. By way of example, and not limitation,
It will be appreciated that the network connections shown are exemplary and other means of establishing a communications link between the computers can be used. The existence of any of various well-known protocols such as TCP/IP, Ethernet, FTP, HTTP and the like is presumed, and the system can be operated in a client-server configuration to permit a user to retrieve web pages from a web-based server. Any of various conventional web browsers can be used to display and manipulate data on web pages.
One aspect of the present invention relates to the use of Autolists in searching, locating, or finding data files or documents on a computer. Data files may further be found across a plurality of memory locations and/or computers. For example, folders on a computer may be at different memory locations such that desired data files may be found in different folders. Likewise, data files may be found at different memory devices, such as but not limited to different storage devices connected to a computer, or different computers altogether. Hence, a storage device or server of a computer may contain many data files at various memory locations or data files may be stored in different folders, drives, storage devices, etc.
A computer user may wish to access or find all files satisfying certain criteria (i.e., query definition) including files satisfying the query definition that are located at a plurality of different memory locations (e.g., in other folders or storage devices). In one aspect of the present invention, a query containing a query definition is received from the user and files are searched based on the query definition. The query definition provides the criteria under which files are searched. For example, the query definition may provide a keyword or a plurality of keywords to search for in desired files. The query definition may be persisted in a data structure (i.e., an Autolist), which the user can reuse as needed, and which may be used by the operating system of the computer to create a virtual folder corresponding to the Autolist.
The present invention provides a method and system in which the computer user may create an Autolist by applying a set of query definitions (i.e., search criteria). The query definitions may include a definition of a scope of search. Creating an Autolist involves defining the scope of search for the Autolist by providing a query definition for the Autolist. Any number of Autolists may be created with any number of applied query definitions. Also, composing an Autolist may be accomplished when the scope of the search of an Autolist is defined by another Autolist or set of Autolists.
Similarly, a second Autolist 202 may be created to search for articles that are stored on the Server 200 and also satisfy a second query definition. In this example, the second Autolist provides a query definition (i.e., search criteria) to find certain desired Wired Magazine articles (e.g., Wired Magazine articles pertaining to phones and gadgets). In this example, keywords Phones, Gadgets, and Wired (provided by the Autolist 202) are searched over the designated search scope (e.g., the Server 200, provided by the Autolist 202 in this example) to locate all Wired articles pertaining to phones and gadgets stored on Server 200.
Similarly,
Referring back to
Notably, if changes are made to any of the Autolists used in defining the scope of the search, or the Autolist used in defining the scope of the search results in different search results, the third Autolist incorporating the modified previous Autolist(s) as part of the search scope is also automatically updated. In this example, if changes in the query definition of either National Geographic or Wired articles are made (e.g., if National Geographic is updated to include articles pertaining to Egyptian art in addition to animals and travel or if Wired is updated to include articles pertaining to fiber optics in addition to phones and gadgets), those changes will be automatically reflected in the Late Articles Autolist query.
Also, the user/reporter of this example may apply search criteria to locate all data files satisfying the specified search criteria. As
It is understood that the above examples are merely to illustrate and not to limit the present invention as the Autolists may take many forms. In another example, an Autolist may define a query definition for searching one source or scope while another Autolist may define a query definition for searching a different source or scope as illustrated in
The invention is not limited to any format of Autolist as any format of an Autolist may be used within the scope of the present invention.
Alternatively, an Autolist may be exposed as search criteria within a query definition during the creation of another Autolist. In
In yet another example of an alternative method of providing an Autolist, an Autolist may display multiple criteria. For example, in
According to another illustrative aspect of the invention, duplicate results might not be returned by the Autolists. For example, a first Autolist may return data files from a set of memory locations, e.g., a set of folders, disc drives, memory devices, etc. A second Autolist may return data files from a second set of memory locations. There may further be overlapping memory locations between the first Autolist and the second Autolist such that at least one of the memory locations searched by the first Autolist may be the same as the memory locations searched by the second Autolist. If a third Autolist incorporates both the first Autolist and the second Autolist, there may be duplication of returned data files. Thus, not every data file returned by the third Autolist is unique. This results in repetitive search results in which non-unique, duplicative data files are returned.
An example of an Autolist managing duplicate data files contained on a server 1000 within a set of returned data files is illustrated in
However, because the Leisure Autolist 1003 incorporates both the Far East Travel Autolist 1001 and the Japan Autolist 1002 as the scope of search, if any data files satisfy the query definition of both the Far East Travel Autolist 1001 and the Japan Autolist 1002, those data files may be returned twice in the Leisure Autolist 1003. If the data files returned are not unique, then duplicative results are obtained which leads to confusing search results. To eliminate problems associated with redundant search results, the Autolist may filter and return only unique data files. Thus, in this exemplary aspect of the present invention, the system may detect duplicate data files and return one instance of such data files only (i.e., return only unique data files).
In another example of an aspect of the present invention, undesired cycling in Autolists may be prevented. For example, if a first Autolist is composed that incorporates a second Autolist in a query definition, an endless cycle of referencing between Autolists may result if the second Autolist also incorporated the first Autolist in a query definition as well. Likewise, if an Autolist in a series of incorporations by reference of other Autolists in turn incorporates one of the other Autolists, a cycle may form that may cause the Autolist to fail.
In this example of the present invention, the undesired cycling of a first Autolist referencing a second Autolist that may in turn reference the first Autolist is prevented. Likewise, cycling may occur if a first Autolist incorporates a second Autolist that may not directly incorporate the first Autolist by reference but may incorporate a third Autolist. The third Autolist may then incorporate the first Autolist closing the loop and creating a similar undesired cycle. Any number of Autolists may be involved in such a cycle with any number of intervening Autolists.
In this example of prevention of cycling of Autolists, the attempted cycle is detected at the processing level without the need for a user interface. The system detects the cycle and automatically remove the cycle. For example, the Wired Autolist 1304 illustrated in
Autolists may be stored as code in many formats. For example, Autolist may be stored in the form of a markup language such as XML. An example of an Autolist stored as an XML file is as follows:
In the above example, the Autolist provides all data files that are stacked by a particular author.
Another example of an Autolist stored as XML is as follows:
In this example, all data files are returned in descending order of the last edit date.
It is understood that aspects of the present invention can take many forms and embodiments. The embodiments shown herein are intended to illustrate rather than to limit the invention, it being appreciated that variations may be made without departing from the spirit of the scope of the invention. Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, a wide range of modification, change and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances some features of the present invention may be employed without a corresponding use of the other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention.
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