Variable driven method and system for the management and display of information

Abstract

A method and system for the management and display of information in a graphical user interface (GUI). Key data fields are configured, including a primary key data field and secondary key data fields, which are associated with the primary key data field. The data fields are configured using configuration variables and the data fields are populated with data field values. Information is displayed to a user in the GUI that includes secondary key data field values in a skewable display tree. Selection of a database record, identified by the value of the primary key data field, through the display tree generates a display of additional data field values that are associated with the selected database record, including text boxes for editing data field values by the user. Searching and reporting functions on the data field values under the primary key data field can also be provided.

1 . A method for managing and displaying information, comprising the steps of:
 configuring a plurality of key data fields to create a key data field set, the key data field set comprising a primary key data field and a plurality of secondary key data fields, and the configuring comprising assigning values to a configuration variable set that defines properties of the key data fields;   assigning a plurality of unique static data field values to the primary key data field, where each static primary data field value identifies a unique database record;   populating the secondary key data fields for each unique database record with secondary key data field values; and   displaying information on a graphical user interface, including secondary key data field values, the graphical user interface comprising a skewable display tree whereby at least a portion of the secondary key data field values are displayed in the skewable display tree.   
   
   
       2 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the populating step comprises assigning a dynamic data field value to at least one secondary key data field. 
   
   
       3 . A method as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the configuring step comprises linking a stored procedure for computation of the dynamic data field value to the at least one secondary key data field. 
   
   
       4 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the populating step comprises assigning a static data field value to at least one secondary key data field. 
   
   
       5 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the step of displaying information comprises applying a hierarchy mask to the key data field set to restrict the key data fields that are displayed to a user on the graphical user interface. 
   
   
       6 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the step of populating the secondary key data fields comprises accepting manual input of data field values from a user through the graphical user interface. 
   
   
       7 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the step of populating the secondary key data fields comprises importing data field values from a file. 
   
   
       8 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the step of displaying information on a graphical user interface comprises displaying a plurality of display tree configuration widgets, whereby a user can dynamically select the display tree hierarchy of secondary key data field values by selecting one of the display tree configuration widgets. 
   
   
       9 . A method as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the hierarchy of the secondary key field data values can be configured by the user and associated with a display tree configuration widget. 
   
   
       10 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the step of displaying information comprises displaying a plurality of text boxes to permit a user to manually edit data field values. 
   
   
       11 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the step of configuring a plurality of key data fields comprises assigning values to data field configuration variables to set the position of data field text boxes in the graphical user interface. 
   
   
       12 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the step of configuring a plurality of key data fields comprises assigning values to data field configuration variables to set the type of data that will populate the data fields. 
   
   
       13 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the step of configuring a plurality of key data fields comprises assigning values to data field configuration variables to set the type of manual data input interface for data fields in the graphical user interface. 
   
   
       14 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of attaching a file to the database record. 
   
   
       15 . A method as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the configuring step comprises associating a program with the type of attached file. 
   
   
       16 . A method as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the configuring step further comprises associating a version of the program with the type of attached file. 
   
   
       17 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the step of displaying information comprises applying a security hierarchy mask to the key data field set to restrict the key data field values that can be edited by a user on the graphical user interface. 
   
   
       18 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the key data field values are stored in a single database file. 
   
   
       19 . A method as recited in  claim 18 , wherein data field configuration values are stored in the single database file. 
   
   
       20 . A computer-readable medium including stored instructions adapted for providing information in a graphical user interface by:
 receiving a plurality of data field configuration variables that define the properties of a plurality of data fields;   generating a graphical user interface comprising the data fields, where the graphical user interface includes a skewable display tree that can be configured by a user interfacing with the graphical user interface.   
   
   
       21 . A computer-implemented system for the management and display of information on a graphical user interface, the system comprising:
 a configuration component for interacting with a user wherein the user inputs data field configuration variables that are stored in a database;   an application component, wherein the application component reads the data field configuration variables and displays a graphical user interface that is defined by the data field configuration variables.   
   
   
       22 . A computer-implemented system as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the system further comprises a data loader component for populating data fields with data.