Method for storing and retrieving digital data transmissions

Abstract

Abstract A method for storing and retrieving electronically transmitted data through the use of distributed indices. Data to be stored is received and automatically stored and indexed on the basis of information contained within the data. Similarly, requests to retrieve data are received and automatically routed to the proper storage location on the basis of information contained within the data. The data to be retrieved is then compiled and automatically transmitted to the user. High speed search and retrieval of the data is possible by using different data fields to divide indices to the data into small functional groups and distributing these groups on processors and storage media relevant to the data's storage location. This index distribution ensures that individual indices retain a small memory size and directs the search to a particular processor, thus decreasing the time required to retrieve stored information. The storage and retrieval method has the ability to receive, examine and transfer data transmissions into storage with a minimum amount of material or labor, the ability to automatically create an index keyed to certain data fields, the ability to manipulate the index such that retrieval times are held constant independent of the volume of stored data, and the ability to automatically transmit requested data to a user.

Inventors

• 👤 William Bankert
• 👤 Bruce W. Leppla
• 👤 Frederick W. Macondray
• 👤 George Gioumousis
• 👤 Karel Jan Parcel

Bibliographic Details