US5675786A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Accessing data held in large databases
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1995-01-30
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Granted: 1997-10-07
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Expires: 2015-01-30
Abstract
Abstract By sampling the initial result of a query to the database, thereby producing a sampled result which is substantially smaller than the initial result, the sampled result is easier to analyse statistically and is easier to transmit across a communications medium such as a network.
Inventors
- 👤 Neil Howard McKee
- 👤 Peter Phaal
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 11:45
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q40/00; G06Q40/12; G06Q40/128; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/20; G06F16/24; G06F16/245; G06F16/2458; G06F16/2462; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99931; Y10S707/99933; Y10S707/99934; Y10S707/99941; Y10S707/99944
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
61 words
A method of retrieving and analysing data held in a database, comprising: addressing a query to a database to generate a sequential stream of initial result records; and sampling said sequential stream of initial result records to produce a sampled result which is substantially smaller than the initial result, the initial result being the result of a query to a database.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
61 words
A method of retrieving and analysing data held in a database, comprising: addressing a query to a database to generate a sequential stream of initial result records; and sampling said sequential stream of initial result records to produce a sampled result which is substantially smaller than the initial result, the initial result being the result of a query to a database.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein all records in the initial result stream are examined to determine whether they are sampled.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method according to claim 2, wherein sampling is performed by successive iterations through a loop, each iteration comprising: generating a random number within defined limits; reading a record; comparing the random number with a predetermined number to determine whether a record is sampled; and selecting or rejecting the record accordingly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein random records in the initial result stream are sampled.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method according to claim 4, wherein sampling is performed by selecting an initial record from the sequential stream of results and successive iterations through a loop, each iteration comprising: generating a random skip count; discarding a number of records equal to the skip count; and selecting the next record.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein sampling is performed during database access or as a database query engine builds a table of results.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein sampling is performed after a table of results has been completed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein sampling is performed during the loading of a results table into an analysis tool.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1, further comprising transmitting the sampled result across a communications medium.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1, comprising transmitting the initial result across a communications medium before sampling.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method according to claim 1, comprising treating each record as nrec identical records when the initial result stream contains averaged or aggregated or averaged and aggregated data, where nrec is equal to the number of records averaged or aggregated to produce the averaged or aggregated record.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 1, further comprising analysing the sampled result.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 12, wherein any one, or combination of, the operations grouping, aggregating and scaling are performed on the records of the analysed sampled result.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the number of records in the initial result is recorded.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein each record in the initial result stream has a predetermined probability of being sampled.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 15, wherein the probability of selecting a record is weighted in accordance with a field in the record.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 16, wherein the probability of selecting a record is proportional to a field in the record.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
A computer database system operating according to the method as defined in claim 1.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
43 words
A method of process management comprising: addressing a query to a database to generate a sequential stream of initial result records; and sampling said sequential stream of initial result records to produce a sampled result which is substantially smaller than the initial result.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
43 words
A method of process management comprising: addressing a query to a database to generate a sequential stream of initial result records; and sampling said sequential stream of initial result records to produce a sampled result which is substantially smaller than the initial result.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-10-06 | 2001-04-07 | 2001-10-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-10-06 | 2005-04-07 | 2005-10-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-10-06 | 2009-04-07 | 2009-10-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |