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US6151604A
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Method and apparatus for improved information storage and retrieval system
Assignee: ENFISH Corp
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Filing: 1998-03-05
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Granted: 2000-11-21
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Expires: 2018-03-05
Abstract
Abstract The information management and database system of the present invention comprises a flexible, self-referential table that stores data. The table of the present invention may store any type of data, both structured and unstructured, and provides an interface to other application programs. The table of the present invention comprises a plurality of rows and columns. Each row has an object identification number (OID) and each column also has an OID. A row corresponds to a record and a column corresponds to a field such that the intersection of a row and a column comprises a cell that may contain data for a particular record related to a particular field, a cell may also point to another record. To enhance searching and to provide for synchronization between columns, columns are entered as rows in the table and the record corresponding to a column contains various information about the column. The table includes an index structure for extended queries.
Inventors
- 👤 Scott Wlaschin
- 👤 Robert M. Gordon
- 👤 Louise J. Wannier
- 👤 Clay Gordon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 22:42
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/20; G06F16/22; G06F16/221; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/912; Y10S707/917; Y10S707/953; Y10S707/954; Y10S707/99931; Y10S707/99933; Y10S707/99934; Y10S707/99941; Y10S707/99943
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 72
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
A data storage and retrieval system for a computer memory, comprising: means for configuring said memory according to a logical table, said logical table including: a plurality of logical rows, each said logical row having an object identification number (OID) to identify each said logical row, each said logical row corresponding to a record of information; a plurality of logical columns intersecting said plurality of logical rows to define a plurality of logical cells, each said logical column having an OID to identify each said logical column; and wherein at least one of said logical rows has an OID equal to the OID of a corresponding one of said logical columns, and at least one of said logical rows includes logical column information defining each of said logical columns.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
A data storage and retrieval system for a computer memory, comprising: means for configuring said memory according to a logical table, said logical table including: a plurality of logical rows, each said logical row having an object identification number (OID) to identify each said logical row, each said logical row corresponding to a record of information; a plurality of logical columns intersecting said plurality of logical rows to define a plurality of logical cells, each said logical column having an OID to identify each said logical column; and wherein at least one of said logical rows has an OID equal to the OID of a corresponding one of said logical columns, and at least one of said logical rows includes logical column information defining each of said logical columns.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said logical column information defines one of said logical columns to contain information for enabling determination of OIDs from text entry.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said one of said logical columns contains information including a search path that references a folder, said folder including a group of logical rows of a similar type.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 1 wherein: said logical column information defines one of said logical columns to contain information for synchronizing two logical columns reciprocally.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 4 wherein said one of said logical columns contains information including reciprocal pointers to said two logical columns.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system of claim 1 wherein: at least one of said plurality of logical rows includes information defining the type of a different logical row; and at least one of said plurality of logical rows includes a logical cell that contains a pointer to said logical row including logical row type information.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of said logical columns defines logical cells that include a plurality of pointers to other logical columns within the same record, said pointers indicating those logical columns within the same record that contain defined values.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of said logical rows is a folder type logical row, said folder type logical row including at least one logical cell that contains data and a plurality of pointers to a plurality of other logical rows included within said folder.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 8 wherein said plurality of other logical rows included within said folder each includes a logical cell that contains a pointer to said folder type logical row.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said OID's are variable length and include data related to a session identification number and a timestamp.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
140 words
A data storage and retrieval system for a computer memory, comprising: means for configuring said memory according to a logical table, said logical table including: a plurality of logical rows, each said logical row including an object identification number (OID) to identify each said logical row, each said logical row corresponding to a record of information; a plurality of logical columns intersecting said plurality of logical rows to define a plurality of logical cells, each said logical column including an OID to identify each said logical column; and wherein at least one of said plurality of logical rows contains a logical cell that contains a pointer to a different logical row and at least one of said plurality of logical rows includes information defining the type of a different logical row; and means for searching said table for said pointer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
140 words
A data storage and retrieval system for a computer memory, comprising: means for configuring said memory according to a logical table, said logical table including: a plurality of logical rows, each said logical row including an object identification number (OID) to identify each said logical row, each said logical row corresponding to a record of information; a plurality of logical columns intersecting said plurality of logical rows to define a plurality of logical cells, each said logical column including an OID to identify each said logical column; and wherein at least one of said plurality of logical rows contains a logical cell that contains a pointer to a different logical row and at least one of said plurality of logical rows includes information defining the type of a different logical row; and means for searching said table for said pointer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
136 words
A data storage and retrieval system for a computer memory, comprising: means for configuring said memory according to a logical table, said logical table including: a plurality of logical rows, each said logical row including an object identification number (OID) to identify each said logical row, each said logical row corresponding to a record of information; a plurality of logical columns intersecting said plurality of logical rows to define a plurality of logical cells, each said logical column including an OID to identify each said logical column; and wherein at least one of said logical rows contains a logical cell that contains a pointer to a different logical row and at least one of said logical rows includes logical column information defining each of said logical columns; and means for searching said table for said pointer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
136 words
A data storage and retrieval system for a computer memory, comprising: means for configuring said memory according to a logical table, said logical table including: a plurality of logical rows, each said logical row including an object identification number (OID) to identify each said logical row, each said logical row corresponding to a record of information; a plurality of logical columns intersecting said plurality of logical rows to define a plurality of logical cells, each said logical column including an OID to identify each said logical column; and wherein at least one of said logical rows contains a logical cell that contains a pointer to a different logical row and at least one of said logical rows includes logical column information defining each of said logical columns; and means for searching said table for said pointer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 12 wherein at least one of said logical columns defines logical cells that include a plurality of pointers to other logical columns within the same record, said pointers indicating those logical columns within the same record that contain defined values.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system of claim 12 wherein at least one of said logical rows is a folder type logical row, said folder type logical row including at least one logical cell that contains data and a plurality of pointers to a plurality of other logical rows included within said folder.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 14 wherein said plurality of other logical rows included within said folder each includes a logical cell that contains a pointer to said folder type logical row.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
94 words
A data storage and retrieval system for a computer memory, comprising: means for configuring said memory according to a logical table, said logical table including: a plurality of logical rows, each said logical row including an object identification number (OID) to identify each said logical row, each said logical row corresponding to a record of information; and a plurality of logical columns intersecting said plurality of logical rows to define a plurality of logical cells, each said logical column including an OID to identify each said logical column, wherein said OID's are variable length.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
94 words
A data storage and retrieval system for a computer memory, comprising: means for configuring said memory according to a logical table, said logical table including: a plurality of logical rows, each said logical row including an object identification number (OID) to identify each said logical row, each said logical row corresponding to a record of information; and a plurality of logical columns intersecting said plurality of logical rows to define a plurality of logical cells, each said logical column including an OID to identify each said logical column, wherein said OID's are variable length.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
96 words
A data storage and retrieval system for a computer memory, comprising: means for configuring said memory according to a logical table, said logical table including: a plurality of logical rows, each said logical row including an object identification number (OID) to identify each said logical row, each said logical row corresponding to a record of information; a plurality of logical columns intersecting said plurality of logical rows to define a plurality of logical cells, each said logical column including an OID to identify each said logical column; and means for indexing data stored in said table.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
96 words
A data storage and retrieval system for a computer memory, comprising: means for configuring said memory according to a logical table, said logical table including: a plurality of logical rows, each said logical row including an object identification number (OID) to identify each said logical row, each said logical row corresponding to a record of information; a plurality of logical columns intersecting said plurality of logical rows to define a plurality of logical cells, each said logical column including an OID to identify each said logical column; and means for indexing data stored in said table.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
60 words
The system of claim 17 wherein said means for indexing further comprises: means for searching a plurality of logical cells within said table for a key word, said means capable of searching a logical column containing unstructured text and a logical column containing structured data; and means for inserting a logical row corresponding to said key word into said table.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
56 words
The system of claim 18 wherein: said inserted logical row includes a logical cell that contains a pointer to a searched logical cell that contains the keyword corresponding to said inserted logical row; and said searched logical cell that contains a keyword corresponding to said inserted logical row contains a pointer to said inserted logical row.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 19 wherein said pointer to said searched logical cell includes the OID's of the logical column and logical row defining said searched logical cell.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 19 wherein said searched logical cell includes an anchor that marks said key word.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 17 wherein one of said plurality of logical rows of said table includes a folder type logical row that includes at least one pointer to said key word.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system of claim 18 wherein said searching means further includes: means for searching for every word in a text logical cell; means for searching for every entry in a logical column; means for searching for data based on automatic analysis; and means for searching for data marked by a user.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
112 words
A data storage and retrieval system for a computer memory, comprising: means for configuring said memory according to a logical table, said logical table including: a plurality of logical rows, each said logical row including an object identification number (OID) to identify each said logical row, each said logical row corresponding to a record of information; a plurality of logical columns intersecting said plurality of logical rows to define a plurality of logical cells, each said logical column including an OID to identify each said logical column; and wherein at least one of said logical cells includes a pointer to an index record; and means for indexing data stored in said table.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
112 words
A data storage and retrieval system for a computer memory, comprising: means for configuring said memory according to a logical table, said logical table including: a plurality of logical rows, each said logical row including an object identification number (OID) to identify each said logical row, each said logical row corresponding to a record of information; a plurality of logical columns intersecting said plurality of logical rows to define a plurality of logical cells, each said logical column including an OID to identify each said logical column; and wherein at least one of said logical cells includes a pointer to an index record; and means for indexing data stored in said table.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system of claim 24 wherein said indexing means further comprises: means for searching said table for a key word; and means for creating an index record for said key word, said index record including one or more pointers to a logical cell in said table that contains said key word.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 25 further including querying means, said querying means further including: means for locating said index record according to the query of a user; means for retrieving at least one logical cell in said table pointed to by said located index record.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 26 wherein said index locating means includes means for locating said index record pointed to by said at least one retrieved logical cell.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 27 wherein said index locating means and said record retrieval means each includes weighing means for weighing key words and retrieved logical cells according to pre-defined search criteria.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 27 wherein said index locating means and said record retrieval means each includes filtering means for filtering key words and retrieved logical cells according to pre-defined search criteria.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 25 wherein said indexing means further includes means for indexing external documents.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
131 words
A method for storing and retrieving data in a computer memory, comprising the steps of: configuring said memory according to a logical table, said logical table including: a plurality of logical rows, each said logical row including an object identification number (OID) to identify each said logical row, each said logical row corresponding to a record of information; a plurality of logical columns intersecting said plurality of logical rows to define a plurality of logical cells, each said logical column including an OID to identify each said logical column; and wherein at least one of said logical rows has an OID equal to the OID to a corresponding one of said logical columns, and at least one of said logical rows includes logical column information defining each of said logical columns.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
131 words
A method for storing and retrieving data in a computer memory, comprising the steps of: configuring said memory according to a logical table, said logical table including: a plurality of logical rows, each said logical row including an object identification number (OID) to identify each said logical row, each said logical row corresponding to a record of information; a plurality of logical columns intersecting said plurality of logical rows to define a plurality of logical cells, each said logical column including an OID to identify each said logical column; and wherein at least one of said logical rows has an OID equal to the OID to a corresponding one of said logical columns, and at least one of said logical rows includes logical column information defining each of said logical columns.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 31 wherein said logical column information defines one of said logical columns to contain information for enabling determination of OIDs from text entry.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 31 wherein one of said logical columns contains information including a search path that references a folder, said folder including a group of logical rows of a similar type.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 31 wherein: said logical column information defines one of said logical columns to contain information for synchronizing two logical columns reciprocally.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 34 wherein said one of said logical columns contains information including reciprocal pointers to said two logical columns.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 31 wherein: at least one of said plurality of logical rows includes information defining the type of a different logical row; and at least one of said plurality of logical rows includes a logical cell that contains a pointer to said logical row including logical row type information.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 31 wherein at least one of said logical columns defines logical cells that include a plurality of pointers to other logical columns within the same record, said pointers indicating those logical columns within the same record that contain defined values.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 37 wherein at least one of said logical rows is a folder type logical row, said folder type logical row including at least one logical cell that contains data and a plurality of pointers to a plurality of other logical rows included within said folder.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 38 wherein said plurality of other logical rows included within said folder each includes a logical cell that contains a pointer to said folder type logical row.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 31 wherein said OID's are variable length and include data related to a session identification number and a timestamp.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
140 words
A method for storing and retrieving data in a computer memory, comprising the steps of: configuring said memory according to a logical table, said logical table including: a plurality of logical rows, each said logical row including an object identification number (OID) to identify each said logical row, each said logical row corresponding to a record of information; a plurality of logical columns intersecting said plurality of logical rows to define a plurality of logical cells, each said logical column including an OID to identify each said logical column; and wherein at least one of said logical rows contains a logical cell that contains a pointer to a different logical row and at least one of said plurality of logical rows includes information defining the type of a different logical row; and means for searching said table for said pointer.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
140 words
A method for storing and retrieving data in a computer memory, comprising the steps of: configuring said memory according to a logical table, said logical table including: a plurality of logical rows, each said logical row including an object identification number (OID) to identify each said logical row, each said logical row corresponding to a record of information; a plurality of logical columns intersecting said plurality of logical rows to define a plurality of logical cells, each said logical column including an OID to identify each said logical column; and wherein at least one of said logical rows contains a logical cell that contains a pointer to a different logical row and at least one of said plurality of logical rows includes information defining the type of a different logical row; and means for searching said table for said pointer.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
136 words
A method for storing and retrieving data in a computer memory, comprising the steps of: configuring said memory according to a logical table, said logical table including: a plurality of logical rows, each said logical row including an object identification number (OID) to identify each said logical row, each said logical row corresponding to a record of information; a plurality of logical columns intersecting said plurality of logical rows to define a plurality of logical cells, each said logical column including an OID to identify each said logical column; and wherein at least one of said logical rows contains a logical cell that contains a pointer to a different logical row and at least one of said logical rows includes logical column information defining each of said logical column; and searching said table for said pointer.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
136 words
A method for storing and retrieving data in a computer memory, comprising the steps of: configuring said memory according to a logical table, said logical table including: a plurality of logical rows, each said logical row including an object identification number (OID) to identify each said logical row, each said logical row corresponding to a record of information; a plurality of logical columns intersecting said plurality of logical rows to define a plurality of logical cells, each said logical column including an OID to identify each said logical column; and wherein at least one of said logical rows contains a logical cell that contains a pointer to a different logical row and at least one of said logical rows includes logical column information defining each of said logical column; and searching said table for said pointer.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 42 wherein at least one of said logical columns defines logical cells that include a plurality of pointers to other logical columns within the same record, said pointers indicating those logical columns within the same record that contain defined values.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 42 wherein at least one of said logical rows is a folder type logical row, said folder type logical row including at least one logical cell that contains data and a plurality of pointers to a plurality of other logical rows included within said folder.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 44 wherein said plurality of other logical rows included within said folder each includes a logical cell that contains a pointer to said folder type logical row.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for storing and retrieving data in a computer memory, comprising the steps of: configuring said memory according to a logical table, said logical table including: a plurality of logical rows, each said logical row including an object identification number (OID) to identify each said logical row, each said logical row corresponding to a record of information; and a plurality of logical columns intersecting said plurality of logical rows to define a plurality of logical cells, each said logical column including an OID to identify each said logical column, wherein said OID's are variable length.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for storing and retrieving data in a computer memory, comprising the steps of: configuring said memory according to a logical table, said logical table including: a plurality of logical rows, each said logical row including an object identification number (OID) to identify each said logical row, each said logical row corresponding to a record of information; and a plurality of logical columns intersecting said plurality of logical rows to define a plurality of logical cells, each said logical column including an OID to identify each said logical column, wherein said OID's are variable length.
Claim 57
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for storing and retrieving data in a computer memory, comprising the steps of: configuring said memory according to a logical table, said logical table including: a plurality of logical rows, each said logical row including an object identification number (OID) to identify each said logical row, each said logical row corresponding to a record of information; a plurality of logical columns intersecting said plurality of logical rows to define a plurality of logical cells, each said logical column including an OID to identify each said logical column; and indexing data stored in said table.
Claim 58
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for storing and retrieving data in a computer memory, comprising the steps of: configuring said memory according to a logical table, said logical table including: a plurality of logical rows, each said logical row including an object identification number (OID) to identify each said logical row, each said logical row corresponding to a record of information; a plurality of logical columns intersecting said plurality of logical rows to define a plurality of logical cells, each said logical column including an OID to identify each said logical column; and indexing data stored in said table.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 47 wherein said step of indexing data further comprises the steps of: searching a plurality of logical cells within said table for a key word, said searching element capable of searching a logical column containing unstructured text and a logical column containing structured data; and inserting a logical row corresponding to said key words into said table.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 48 wherein: said inserted logical row includes a logical cell that contains a pointer to a searched logical cell that contains the keyword corresponding to said inserted logical row; and said searched logical cell that contains a keyword corresponding to said inserted logical row contains a pointer to said inserted logical row.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 49 wherein said pointer to said searched logical cell includes the OID's of the logical column and logical row defining said searched logical cell.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 49 wherein said searched logical cell includes an anchor that marks said key word.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 48 wherein one of said plurality of logical rows of said table includes a folder type logical row that includes at least one pointer to said key word.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 48 wherein said step of searching a plurality of cells within said table for a key word further comprises the steps of: searching for every word in a text logical cell; searching for every entry in a logical column; searching for data based on automatic analysis; and searching for data marked by a user.
Claim 65
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for storing and retrieving data in a computer memory, comprising the steps of: configuring said memory according to a logical table, said logical table including: a plurality of logical rows, each said logical row including an object identification number (OID) to identify each said logical row, each said logical row corresponding to a record of information; a plurality of logical columns intersecting said plurality of logical rows to define a plurality of logical cells, each said logical column including an OID to identify each said logical column; and wherein at least one of said logical cells includes a pointer to an index record; and indexing data stored in said table.
Claim 66
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for storing and retrieving data in a computer memory, comprising the steps of: configuring said memory according to a logical table, said logical table including: a plurality of logical rows, each said logical row including an object identification number (OID) to identify each said logical row, each said logical row corresponding to a record of information; a plurality of logical columns intersecting said plurality of logical rows to define a plurality of logical cells, each said logical column including an OID to identify each said logical column; and wherein at least one of said logical cells includes a pointer to an index record; and indexing data stored in said table.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 54 wherein said step of indexing data further comprises the steps of: searching said table for a key word; and creating an index record for said key word, said index record having one or more pointers to a logical cell in said table that contains said key word.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 55 further comprising the steps of: locating said index record according to the query of a user; retrieving at least one logical cell in said table pointed to by said located index record.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 56 wherein said step of locating said index record further comprises: locating said index record pointed to by said at least one retrieved logical cell.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 57 wherein said step of locating said index record further comprises: weighing key words and retrieved logical cells according to pre-defined search criteria.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 57 wherein said step of locating said index record further comprises: filtering key words and retrieved logical cells according to pre-defined search criteria.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 54 wherein said step of indexing data further comprises the step of: indexing external documents.
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