System and method for data capture and reporting

Abstract

A database system includes an intermediary program that provides a variety of functions. Logging on to the intermediary program results in log-in information being transmitted from an encrypted file to the database system via the intermediary program. The database system includes the ability for the user to enter criteria for a query in a variety of different manners, including the ability to directly modify generated SQL statements and the ability to use input lists in creating queries. In addition, the queries entered by the user can he stored in a separate database, such that the efficiency and operation of the database system can he improved. In addition, the delivery of query results and reports allows for delivery of files that are associated with a data period in any format and also allows the user to receive multiple reports in a single, compressed file.

1 .- 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A method at a computer system for generating a query directed to a database, the method comprising:
 storing data tree information comprising a pre-established grouping of data fields usable in a graphical interface for creating the query;   storing an input list comprising a plurality of user-defined criteria for populating at least one field of the pre-established grouping of data fields, wherein the stored input list is mapped to a profile of at least one user;   in response to receiving a request to build the query using the graphical interface, providing the at least one user with access to the input list and the data tree information via the graphical interface;   receiving input to populate the pre-selected grouping of data fields for the query, wherein the input includes a command to use the input list to populate at least one field of the pre-established grouping of data fields with the plurality of user-defined criteria; and   generating and executing a Structured Query Language (SQL) statement that adds the user-defined criteria to the query.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 storing the query within a query database;   retrieving, by a different user, the query from the query database; and   modifying, by the different user, the query.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 storing performance information within a query database, wherein the performance information is indicative of usage of the database to which the query is directed; and   determining, dependent upon the performance information, frequencies at which a plurality of fields of the database are used by queries executing against the database.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the plurality of user-defined criteria include a plurality of data values to be assigned to the at least one field during execution of the query, and wherein to execute the query using the plurality of data values, the at least one user references the input list without entering individual ones of the plurality of data values via the graphical interface. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the plurality of user-defined criteria includes one or more nested statements involving multiple levels of table or database searching. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 prior to storing the input list, receiving from the at least one user an uploaded file including the plurality of user-defined criteria.   
     
     
         28 . A non-transitory, computer-readable medium that stores instructions, wherein the instructions are executable by a computer to implement operations comprising:
 storing query tree information representative of a basic format of a query directed to a database;   storing data tree information comprising a pre-established grouping of data fields, wherein the data tree information and the query tree information are usable in a graphical interface for creating the query;   in response to receiving a request to build the query using the graphical interface, providing at least one user with access to the query tree information and the data tree information via the graphical interface;   receiving query configuration information indicative that the at least one user has assigned one or more items of the data tree information to one or more items of the query tree information via the graphical interface; and   dependent upon the query configuration information, generating and executing a Structured Query Language (SQL) statement that implements the query.   
     
     
         29 . The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of  claim 28 , wherein providing the at least one user with access to the query tree information and the data tree information via the graphical interface comprises presenting a drag-and-drop interface to the at least one user. 
     
     
         30 . The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of  claim 28 , wherein the operations further comprise:
 prior to executing the SQL statement, displaying the SQL statement to the at least one user.   
     
     
         31 . The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of  claim 28 , wherein the displaying comprises presenting the SQL statement to the at least one user within a modifiable text box that permits modification of the SQL statement by the at least one user. 
     
     
         32 . The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of  claim 28 , wherein the operations further comprise validating the SQL statement prior to execution. 
     
     
         33 . The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of  claim 28 , wherein the operations further comprise:
 storing the query within a query database;   displaying the query to a different user via the graphical interface; and   receiving modifications to the query by the different user via the graphical interface.   
     
     
         34 . The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of  claim 28 , wherein the operations further comprise:
 storing an input list comprising a plurality of user-defined criteria for populating at least one field indicated in the data tree information; and   receiving input via the graphical interface to populate the at least one field with the plurality of user-defined criteria.   
     
     
         35 . The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of  claim 34 , wherein the plurality of user-defined criteria includes one or more nested statements involving multiple levels of table or database searching. 
     
     
         36 . The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of  claim 28 , wherein the operations further comprise:
 receiving first authorization information from the at least one user; and   retrieving second authorization information that is encrypted and is not accessible to the at least one user;   wherein executing the query is dependent upon successful decryption of the second authorization information using the first authorization information.   
     
     
         37 . A system, comprising:
 a processor; and   a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory stores instructions that are executable by the processor to implement operations comprising:
 receiving, from at least one user, first authorization information and query information indicative of a stored query to be retrieved; 
 retrieving second authorization information that is encrypted and is not accessible to the at least one user; 
 dependent upon successfully decrypting the second authorization information using the first authorization information:
 retrieving the stored query based on the query information; 
 presenting the stored query to the at least one user via a graphical interface, wherein the graphical interface comprises a query tree indicating a format of the stored query and a data tree indicating a plurality of fields 
 receiving configuration information that modifies the stored query from the at least one user via the graphical interface; and 
 dependent upon the configuration information, executing the stored query on a database to generate an output. 
 
   
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the graphical interface is a drag-and-drop interface. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the operations further comprise:
 prior to executing the stored query dependent upon the configuration information, displaying a Structured Query Language (SQL) statement representative of the stored query to the at least one user.   
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the displaying comprises presenting the SQL statement to the at least one user within a modifiable text box that permits modification of the SQL statement by the at least one user. 
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the operations further comprise:
 storing an input list comprising a plurality of user-defined criteria for populating at least one field indicated in the data tree; and   receiving input via the graphical interface to populate the at least one field with the plurality of user-defined criteria.