Easy-to-use data context filtering

Abstract

A method and system for the graphical formulation of filter queries is disclosed which enables data queries to be easily via selection from a menu. A signal is received to filter, or query, a data table. Next, the context of the signaled key field is analyzed, and a menu of filters based on that context is formulated and displayed. A filter selection is received, and the corresponding filter is executed. The results of the filter are displayed on the screen.

1 - 21 . (canceled)  
   
   
       22 . A computer-implemented method for graphical construction of filter queries comprising: 
 receiving a signal to filter a table;    analyzing a context of a specified key field;    displaying a menu of filters based on said context;    receiving a filter selection from said menu of filters; and    generating a filter query.    
   
   
       23 . A computer-implemented method as defined in  claim 22 , further comprising issuing said filter query.  
   
   
       24 . A computer-implemented method as defined in  claim 22 , further comprising displaying results associated with the filter query.  
   
   
       25 . A computer-implemented method as defined in  claim 22 , further comprising removing a filter if another filter already exists for a column.  
   
   
       26 . A computer-implemented method as defined in  claim 22 , wherein analyzing a context of a specified key field further comprises determining a data type of a column.  
   
   
       27 . A computer-implemented method as defined in  claim 22 , wherein analyzing a context of a specified key field further comprises computing an average of numeric values in a column.  
   
   
       28 . A computer-implemented method as defined in  claim 22 , wherein analyzing a context of a specified key field further comprises: 
 removing an inappropriate filter from the filter menu.    
   
   
       29 . A computer-implemented method as defined in  claim 22 , in which filter menu contents are configurable by a user.  
   
   
       30 . A computer-implemented method as defined in  claim 22 , in which specific filter values may be selected by the user in a binary fashion.  
   
   
       31 . A computer-implemented method as defined in  claim 22 , further comprising creating a new filter and an associated filter query.  
   
   
       32 . A system for easy-to-use data filtering comprising: 
 a menu module for maintaining a menu of filters;    a receiving module for receiving filter signals and selections from the menu of filters;    a filter module for creating filter queries and performing filtering;    a context analysis module for analyzing a context of a particular table cell or column; and    a display module for displaying the menu of filters based on said context, and for displaying filtering results.    
   
   
       33 . A system as defined in  claim 32 , wherein said display module additionally displays data tables.  
   
   
       34 . A system as defined in  claim 32 , further comprising a formula removal module which removes any existing filters.  
   
   
       35 . A computer-readable medium having computer executable instructions for performing steps comprising: 
 displaying a data table;    receiving a signal to filter the data table;    analyzing a context of a specified column;    displaying a menu of filters based on said context;    receiving a filter selection from said menu of filters; and    creating a new filter.    
   
   
       36 . A computer-readable medium as defined in  claim 35  having further computer executable instructions for performing the steps of: 
 creating an associated filter query; and 
 performing the filter query.  
   
   
   
       37 . A computer-readable medium as defined in  claim 35  having further computer executable instructions for performing the step of: 
 displaying results associated with the filter query.    
   
   
       38 . A computer-readable medium as defined in  claim 35  having further computer executable instructions for performing the step of: 
 removing a filter if another filter already exists for a column.    
   
   
       39 . A computer-readable medium as defined in  claim 35 , wherein creating a new filter further comprises retrieving data from a particular data cell for use in said new filter.  
   
   
       40 . A computer-readable medium as defined in  claim 35 , wherein creating a new filter further comprises retrieving data regarding the current time and date.  
   
   
       41 . A computer-readable medium as defined in  claim 35 , wherein analyzing a context of a specified key field further comprises removing an inappropriate filter from the filter menu.  
   
   
       42 . A computer-readable medium as defined in  claim 35 , in which filter menu contents are configurable by a user.