Antonio Massari

QBI: query by icons

QBI is an icon-based query processing and exploration facility for large distributed databases [3]. As opposed to other interactive query interfaces, it combines (1) a pure iconic specification, i.e., no diagrams of any form, only icon manipulation, with (2) intensional browsing or metaquery tools that assist in the formulation of complete queries without involving path specification or access to the actual data in the database.Path expressions are automatically generated by QBI and irrespective of their length, represented by a single icon, allowing for better use of the screen. It requires no special knowledge of the content of the underlying database nor understanding of the details of the database schema. Hence, QBI is domain independent and equally useful to both unsophisticated and expert users.

Virgilio: a non-immersive VR system to browse multimedia databases

The authors introduce Virgilio, a system which supports the construction of non-immersive VR-based visualizations of complex data objects representing the result of a query performed on a multimedia database. Virgilio takes as input the dataset resulting from a query, on a generic database, displays attribute values of the dataset on virtual world objects according to the capability of these objects to represent the proper type of data, represents semantic relationships among the objects in the dataset using the containment relationship and creates a corresponding visual representation composed of a collection of virtual reality modeling language scenes.

Supporting Mobile Database Access through Query by Icons

In this paper, we present both the theoretical framework and a prototype of a query processing facility that supports the exploration and query of databases from a mobile computer through the manipulation of icons. Icons are particularly suitable for mobile computing since they can be manipulated without typing. The facility requires no special knowledge of the location or the content of the remote database nor understanding of the details of the database schema. Its iconic query language involves no path specification in composing a query. The query facility provides metaquery tools that assist in the formulation of complete queries in an incremental manner on the mobile computer and without involving access to the actual data in the remote database. By not requiring constant access and caching of the actual data, it is able to effectively cope with the inherent limitations in memory and battery life on the mobile computer, disconnections and restricted communication bandwidth, and the high monetary cost of wireless communication.

Iconic and diagrammatic interfaces: an integrated approach

The authors first analyze the motivations for using a visual approach in querying a database. Afterwards they consider the two main visual expressions, i.e. icons and diagrams, used to represent both data and processes, together with their main advantages and limitations. Based on these conditions, they describe a man-machine interface, together with a visual query language, providing an integrated, both iconic and diagrammatic, approach.<<ETX>>

Visual query of completely encapsulated objects

This paper presents a general purpose object query system and language, called QBI (Query by Icon), that involves the manipulation of icons for composing a query. It requires neither special knowledge of the content of the underlying database or understanding of the details of the database schema, hence it is equally useful to both unsophisticated and expert users. A user perceives the database as classes of objects and generalized attributes while the system internally maintains a schema of the underlying database rich in semantic information. No relationship specification is required for composing a query. Furthermore, automatic natural language feedback and cardinality constraints analysis assist users in query specification.<<ETX>>

QBI: an iconic query system for inexpert users

We present a general purpose query interface for inexpert users based on the manipulation of icons. The user perceives the reality of interest as structured in classes and attributes while the system internally maintains a schema rich of semantic information. The query language, fully visual, is based on the select and project paradigm that has been proven to be easy to understand. No path specification is required for composing a query. Automatic feedbacks based on natural language generation and cardinality constraints analysis help the user in specifying his/her requests.

Virgilio: a VR-based system for database visualization

In this paper we introduce Virgilio, a system which generates VR-based visualizations of complex data objects representing the result of a query. Virgilio takes as input the dataset resulting from a query on a generic database and creates a corresponding visual representation composed of a collection of VRML (VR Modeling Language) scenes. The system uses a repository of real world objects (e.g., rooms, tables, portrait cases) which includes their visual aspect, the types of data they can support as well as a containment relationship among pairs of objects. Virgilio works in the following way: (i) attribute values of the dataset are displayed on virtual world objects according to the capability of these objects to represent the proper type of data, (ii) semantic relationships among the objects in the dataset are represented using the containment relationship.The main features of Virgilio are: to be parametric with respect to the explored database, to automatically produce an user oriented view of the dataset and to describe visualized data by means of the VRML language.A system prototype is currently being implemented. As an example, we provide a set of snapshots showing the scenes built by Virgilio to represent the result of queries defined on a database of musical CD records.

A multiparadigmatic environment for interacting with databases

We present a prototype system to be used for visually accessing heterogeneous databases. The basic idea is to provide the user with several visual representations of data as well as multiple interaction mechanisms for both querying databases and visualizing the query results. Since some visual representations better fit certain user classes, the system adapts to the users needs by switching to the most appropriate visual representation and interaction mechanism, according to a suitable user model. The data and query representations are consistent in every paradigm. Such a notion of consistency stems from formal basis, i.e. a twofold data/representation model, namely the Graph Model, and a set of basic Graphical Primitives. This formal approach allows the user to switch from one interaction paradigm to another, always saving the query state.

An iconic query system with intensional feedback capabilities

In recent years the issue of the interaction between casual users and database systems has become increasingly important. Moreover, the introduction of multimedia and distributed databases has necessitated the design of querying systems capable of reducing unnecessary and costly accesses. The authors address these issues by proposing a visual query system based on (1) the extensive utilization of icons and natural language in order to facilitate the access and the understanding of the database and (2) the use of knowledge, or the intensional part of the database, in order to reduce the physical access to the actual data (extensional part). In their query system the perception of the database structure is made particularly easy by introducing the concept of generalized attribute.<<ETX>>

On the integration of icons and diagrams in user interfaces to medical information systems

In this paper we propose a unified framework as visual interface to medical information systems. The main ide is in offering to the use two different interfaces for expressing the query, based on diagrams and icons, respectively, and the possibility of switching between them, so exploiting the advantages embedded into the different representations and reducing the existing drawbacks