US5875447A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Reordering of complex SQL queries involving GROUPBYs, joins, outer joins and full outer joins
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
•
Filing: 1997-08-01
•
Granted: 1999-02-23
•
Expires: 2017-08-01
Abstract
Abstract A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for query simplification by applying generalized inference propagation and generalized transitive closure in SQL queries having selection, projection, join, outer join, and intersection operations. The disclosed transformations and enumeration method unify and solve the problems of 1) unnesting join aggregate queries, and 2) complete enumeration of queries containing outer joins, when the outer join predicate references an aggregated value, or the predicate references more than two base relations in a query subtree. The system first eliminates redundant sub-expressions and modifies expensive binary operations to inexpensive binary operations, then converts complex predicates to simple predicates by application of a generalized selection (GS) operator.
Inventors
- 👤 Piyush Goel
- 👤 Balakrishna Raghavandra Iyer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 16:35
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/20; G06F16/24; G06F16/245; G06F16/2453; G06F16/24534; G06F16/24537; G06F16/24547; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99931; Y10S707/99932; Y10S707/99933; Y10S707/99934
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 78
Claim 1
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting the query into the computer; and (b) simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU23## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU24##
Claim 2
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting the query into the computer; and (b) simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU23## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU24##
Claim 3
Independent Claim
58 words
An apparatus for simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, comprising: (a) a computer; (b) means for accepting the query into the computer; and (c) means for simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU25## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU26##
Claim 4
Independent Claim
58 words
An apparatus for simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, comprising: (a) a computer; (b) means for accepting the query into the computer; and (c) means for simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU25## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU26##
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
71 words
An article of manufacture comprising a computer program carrier embodying one or more instructions of a method of simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting the query into the computer; and (b) simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU27## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU28##
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
71 words
An article of manufacture comprising a computer program carrier embodying one or more instructions of a method of simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting the query into the computer; and (b) simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU27## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU28##
Claim 7
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting the query into the computer; and (b) simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU29## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU30##
Claim 8
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting the query into the computer; and (b) simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU29## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU30##
Claim 9
Independent Claim
58 words
An apparatus for simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, comprising: (a) a computer; (b) means for accepting the query into the computer; and (c) means for simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU31## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU32##
Claim 10
Independent Claim
58 words
An apparatus for simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, comprising: (a) a computer; (b) means for accepting the query into the computer; and (c) means for simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU31## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU32##
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
71 words
An article of manufacture comprising a computer program carrier embodying one or more instructions of a method of simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting the query into the computer; and (b) simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU33## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU34##
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
71 words
An article of manufacture comprising a computer program carrier embodying one or more instructions of a method of simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting the query into the computer; and (b) simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU33## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU34##
Claim 13
Independent Claim
61 words
A method of simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting the query into the computer; and (b) simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU35## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU36## wherein ⊙ε{←, →, , }.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
61 words
A method of simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting the query into the computer; and (b) simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU35## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU36## wherein ⊙ε{←, →, , }.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
63 words
An apparatus for simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, comprising: (a) a computer; (b) means for accepting the query into the computer; and (c) means for simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU37## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU38## wherein ⊙ε{←, →, , }.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
63 words
An apparatus for simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, comprising: (a) a computer; (b) means for accepting the query into the computer; and (c) means for simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU37## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU38## wherein ⊙ε{←, →, , }.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
76 words
An article of manufacture comprising a computer program carrier embodying one or more instructions of a method of simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting the query into the computer; and (b) simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU39## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU40## wherein ⊙ε{←, →, , }.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
76 words
An article of manufacture comprising a computer program carrier embodying one or more instructions of a method of simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting the query into the computer; and (b) simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU39## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU40## wherein ⊙ε{←, →, , }.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
61 words
A method of simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting the query into the computer; and (b) simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU41## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU42## wherein ⊙ε{←, →, , }.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
61 words
A method of simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting the query into the computer; and (b) simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU41## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU42## wherein ⊙ε{←, →, , }.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
63 words
An apparatus for simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, comprising: (a) a computer; (b) means for accepting the query into the computer; and (c) means for simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU43## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU44## wherein ⊙ε{←, →, , }.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
63 words
An apparatus for simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, comprising: (a) a computer; (b) means for accepting the query into the computer; and (c) means for simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU43## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU44## wherein ⊙ε{←, →, , }.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
76 words
An article of manufacture comprising a computer program carrier embodying one or more instructions of a method of simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting the query into the computer; and (b) simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU45## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU46## wherein ⊙ε{←, →, , }.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
76 words
An article of manufacture comprising a computer program carrier embodying one or more instructions of a method of simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting the query into the computer; and (b) simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU45## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU46## wherein ⊙ε{←, →, , }.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting the query into the computer; and (b) simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU47## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU48##
Claim 26
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting the query into the computer; and (b) simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU47## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU48##
Claim 27
Independent Claim
58 words
An apparatus for simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, comprising: (a) a computer; (b) means for accepting the query into the computer; and (c) means for simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU49## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU50##
Claim 28
Independent Claim
58 words
An apparatus for simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, comprising: (a) a computer; (b) means for accepting the query into the computer; and (c) means for simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU49## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU50##
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
71 words
An article of manufacture comprising a computer program carrier embodying one or more instructions of a method of simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting the query into the computer; and (b) simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU51## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU52##
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
71 words
An article of manufacture comprising a computer program carrier embodying one or more instructions of a method of simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting the query into the computer; and (b) simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU51## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU52##
Claim 31
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting the query into the computer; and (b) simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU53## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU54##
Claim 32
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting the query into the computer; and (b) simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU53## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU54##
Claim 33
Independent Claim
58 words
An apparatus for simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, comprising: (a) a computer; (b) means for accepting the query into the computer; and (c) means for simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU55## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU56##
Claim 34
Independent Claim
58 words
An apparatus for simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, comprising: (a) a computer; (b) means for accepting the query into the computer; and (c) means for simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU55## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU56##
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
71 words
An article of manufacture comprising a computer program carrier embodying one or more instructions of a method of simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting the query into the computer; and (b) simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU57## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU58##
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
71 words
An article of manufacture comprising a computer program carrier embodying one or more instructions of a method of simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting the query into the computer; and (b) simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU57## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU58##
Claim 37
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting the query into the computer; and (b) simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU59## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU60##
Claim 38
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting the query into the computer; and (b) simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU59## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU60##
Claim 39
Independent Claim
59 words
An apparatus for simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, comprising: (a) a computer; and (b) means for accepting the query into the computer; and (c) means for simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU61## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU62##
Claim 40
Independent Claim
59 words
An apparatus for simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, comprising: (a) a computer; and (b) means for accepting the query into the computer; and (c) means for simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU61## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU62##
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
71 words
An article of manufacture comprising a computer program carrier embodying one or more instructions of a method of simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting the query into the computer; and (b) simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU63## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU64##
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
71 words
An article of manufacture comprising a computer program carrier embodying one or more instructions of a method of simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting the query into the computer; and (b) simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU63## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU64##
Claim 43
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting the query into the computer; and (b) simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU65## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU66##
Claim 44
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting the query into the computer; and (b) simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU65## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU66##
Claim 45
Independent Claim
58 words
An apparatus for simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, comprising: (a) a computer; (b) means for accepting the query into the computer; and (c) means for simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU67## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU68##
Claim 46
Independent Claim
58 words
An apparatus for simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, comprising: (a) a computer; (b) means for accepting the query into the computer; and (c) means for simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU67## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU68##
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
71 words
An article of manufacture comprising a computer program carrier embodying one or more instructions of a method of simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting the query into the computer; and (b) simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU69## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU70##
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
71 words
An article of manufacture comprising a computer program carrier embodying one or more instructions of a method of simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting the query into the computer; and (b) simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU69## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU70##
Claim 49
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting the query into the computer; and (b) simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU71## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU72##
Claim 50
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting the query into the computer; and (b) simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU71## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU72##
Claim 51
Independent Claim
58 words
An apparatus for simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, comprising: (a) a computer; (b) means for accepting the query into the computer; and (c) means for simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU73## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU74##
Claim 52
Independent Claim
58 words
An apparatus for simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, comprising: (a) a computer; (b) means for accepting the query into the computer; and (c) means for simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU73## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU74##
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
71 words
An article of manufacture comprising a computer program carrier embodying one or more instructions of a method of simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting the query into the computer; and (b) simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU75## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU76##
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
71 words
An article of manufacture comprising a computer program carrier embodying one or more instructions of a method of simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting the query into the computer; and (b) simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU75## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU76##
Claim 55
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting the query into the computer; and (b) simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU77## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU78##
Claim 56
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting the query into the computer; and (b) simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU77## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU78##
Claim 57
Independent Claim
58 words
An apparatus for simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, comprising: (a) a computer; (b) means for accepting the query into the computer; and (c) means for simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU79## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU80##
Claim 58
Independent Claim
58 words
An apparatus for simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, comprising: (a) a computer; (b) means for accepting the query into the computer; and (c) means for simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU79## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU80##
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
71 words
An article of manufacture comprising a computer program carrier embodying one or more instructions of a method of simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting the query into the computer; and (b) simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU81## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU82##
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
71 words
An article of manufacture comprising a computer program carrier embodying one or more instructions of a method of simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting the query into the computer; and (b) simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU81## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU82##
Claim 61
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting the query into the computer; and (b) simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU83## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU84##
Claim 62
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting the query into the computer; and (b) simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU83## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU84##
Claim 63
Independent Claim
58 words
An apparatus for simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, comprising: (a) a computer; (b) means for accepting the query into the computer; and (c) means for simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU85## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU86##
Claim 64
Independent Claim
58 words
An apparatus for simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, comprising: (a) a computer; (b) means for accepting the query into the computer; and (c) means for simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU85## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU86##
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
71 words
An article of manufacture comprising a computer program carrier embodying one or more instructions of a method of simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting the query into the computer; and (b) simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU87## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU88##
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
71 words
An article of manufacture comprising a computer program carrier embodying one or more instructions of a method of simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting the query into the computer; and (b) simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU87## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU88##
Claim 67
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting the query into the computer; and (b) simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU89## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU90##
Claim 68
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting the query into the computer; and (b) simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU89## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU90##
Claim 69
Independent Claim
58 words
An apparatus for simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, comprising: (a) a computer; (b) means for accepting the query into the computer; and (c) means for simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU91## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU92##
Claim 70
Independent Claim
58 words
An apparatus for simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, comprising: (a) a computer; (b) means for accepting the query into the computer; and (c) means for simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU91## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU92##
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
71 words
An article of manufacture comprising a computer program carrier embodying one or more instructions of a method of simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting the query into the computer; and (b) simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU93## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU94##
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
71 words
An article of manufacture comprising a computer program carrier embodying one or more instructions of a method of simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting the query into the computer; and (b) simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU93## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU94##
Claim 73
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting the query into the computer; and (b) simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU95## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU96##
Claim 74
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting the query into the computer; and (b) simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU95## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU96##
Claim 75
Independent Claim
58 words
An apparatus for simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, comprising: (a) a computer; (b) means for accepting the query into the computer; and (c) means for simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU97## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU98##
Claim 76
Independent Claim
58 words
An apparatus for simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, comprising: (a) a computer; (b) means for accepting the query into the computer; and (c) means for simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU97## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU98##
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
71 words
An article of manufacture comprising a computer program carrier embodying one or more instructions of a method of simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting the query into the computer; and (b) simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU99## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU100##
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
71 words
An article of manufacture comprising a computer program carrier embodying one or more instructions of a method of simplifying a query performed by a computer to retrieve data from a database stored in an electronic storage device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) accepting the query into the computer; and (b) simplifying the query by replacing a first expression in the query comprising: ##EQU99## with a second expression comprising: ##EQU100##
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-02-22 | 2002-08-24 | 2003-02-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-02-22 | 2006-08-24 | 2007-02-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-02-22 | 2010-08-24 | 2011-02-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |