QBQ^® informed browser

An interactive interrogation of an electronic data store, driven by the information within the data store, rather than its data structures.

This facility enables a data store to be searched for information on a specific topic when the content is not known.

It is used as an alternative to running a report when the user needs to browse the information available.

QIB uses the QBQ rule logic engine:

QBQ informed browser begins with the options for the start of the search as directed by the rules.

The user, through the HCI, selects an option.

From the selected option the rules indicate the next set of options. The user makes a selection and the process continues until the browsing reaches a conculusion.

The user may "drill down" into more detail or "withdraw" to a more generic level, not necessarily using the same route.

The "down" and "up" continues until the user is satisfied. There are no constraints other than those imposed by the rules.

When the required information is identified, the option exists for running the QBQ information presentation system, or permitting dedicated software to modify the contents of the data store.

The advantages of using the logic engine approach are:

• The ability to seek out the required information rather than having some knowledge of the content.
• The only restrictions on how the data store is navigated are those imposed by the rules, so there are no preconceived perceptions about how searches are performed.
• Completeness is recognised despite the fact that it may take many forms.
• Back tracking is implicitly allowed.

QIB is suitable for any data store that holds complex and changing information that can be used in a number of different ways.