US6233586B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Federated searching of heterogeneous datastores using a federated query object
Assignee: King com Ltd
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Filing: 1998-04-01
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Granted: 2001-05-15
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Expires: 2018-04-01
Abstract
Abstract A computer method and system capable of searching multiple heterogeneous datastores with heterogeneous data types by employing an object oriented data model to define a federated query object, a federated collection object and a federated datastore object. The federated query object translates a generic query into the appropriate queries for each datastore, the federated datastore object acts as a virtual datastore for multiple heterogeneous datastores with the ability to map concepts between datastores, and the federated collection object represents results from a federated query in a hierarchy that maintains sub-grouping information from each datastore to allow accessing of results by datastore or as a single collection of results. The federated objects thus provide user applications with enhanced accessibility of different hierarchies of information, as well as more robust search capabilities.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel T. Chang
- 👤 Siyi Terry Donn
- 👤 Douglas Michael Hembry
- 👤 Tae Jae Lee
- 👤 Basuki N. Soetarman
- 👤 Robert N. Summers
- 👤 Frank C. Tung
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 08:08
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/20; G06F16/28; G06F16/289; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99941; Y10S707/99944
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
51 words
A method of searching multiple heterogeneous datastores in a computer system using an object-oriented data model, comprising: defining a federated query object as a logical object of said object-oriented data model, said federated query object having instructions within said object to represent and execute a query across said multiple heterogeneous datastores.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
51 words
A method of searching multiple heterogeneous datastores in a computer system using an object-oriented data model, comprising: defining a federated query object as a logical object of said object-oriented data model, said federated query object having instructions within said object to represent and execute a query across said multiple heterogeneous datastores.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein said federated query object is operable to delegate query processing tasks to different datastores, at least one of said different datastores performing said query processing tasks using a query language that is different from a query language used by another of said different datastores.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method according to claim 1 , further comprising: representing the results of said query as collection objects in said data model, each collection object corresponding to one of said datastores; and representing said collection objects together as a federated collection object in said data model.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method according to claim 2 , further comprising: defining a second federated query object as a subquery of said federated query object, said second federated query object operable to represent and execute a query received from said federated query object across a subset of said multiple heterogeneous datastores.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 2 , wherein said federated query object accepts a query in a datastore-neutral query syntax.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 2 , wherein said federated query object accepts a federated query string in a first syntax and parses said federated query string into a second form that is a datastore neutral representation of said query.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 6 , wherein said second form is a federated query canonical form.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 2 , further comprising: initiating said federated query object with an application program, wherein said federated query object is operable to relieve said application program from delegating said query processing tasks to said different datastores.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 2 , further comprising: initiating said federated query object with an application program, wherein said federated query object is operable to combine results of said query from different datastores.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 2 , wherein said federated query object is operable to delegate query processing tasks to datastores which employ any one of DL, DB2, VI, and OD.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 2 , wherein said federated query object is operable to delegate query processing tasks for parametric, keyword, and QBIC queries.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein one of said datastores is searchable by non-text image characteristics.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
62 words
An object-oriented computer software package for use in searching multiple heterogeneous datastores in a computer system using an object-oriented data model, comprising; a federated query class defining a federated query object of said object-oriented data model, said federated query object comprising data and methods and being having instructions within said object to represent and execute a query across said multiple heterogeneous datastores.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
62 words
An object-oriented computer software package for use in searching multiple heterogeneous datastores in a computer system using an object-oriented data model, comprising; a federated query class defining a federated query object of said object-oriented data model, said federated query object comprising data and methods and being having instructions within said object to represent and execute a query across said multiple heterogeneous datastores.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
55 words
An object-oriented computer software package according to claim 13 , wherein said federated query object is operable to delegate query processing tasks to different datastores, at least one of said different datastores performing said query processing tasks using a query language that is different from a query language used by another of said different datastores.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
72 words
An object-oriented computer software package according to claim 13 , further comprising: a collection class which defines collection objects in said data model, said collection objects operable to represent the results of said query, each collection object corresponding to one of said datastores; and a federated collection class which defines a federated collection object in said data model, said federated collection object operable to represent a plurality of said collection objects together.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
58 words
An object-oriented computer software package according to claim 14 , wherein said federated query class is operable to define a second federated query object as a subquery of said federated query object, said second federated query object operable to represent and execute a query received from said federated query object across a subset of said multiple heterogeneous datastores.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
An object-oriented computer software package according to claim 14 , wherein said federated query object accepts a query in a datastore-neutral query syntax.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
42 words
An object-oriented computer software package according to claim 14 , wherein said federated query object is initiated by an application program, said federated query object being operable to relieve said application program from delegating said query processing tasks to said different datastores.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
An object-oriented computer software package according to claim 14 , wherein said federated query object is initiated by an application program, said federated query object being operable to combine results of said query from different datastores.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
An object-oriented computer software package according to claim 14 , wherein said federated query object is operable to delegate query processing tasks to datastores which employ any one of DL, DB2, VI, and OD.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
An object-oriented computer software package according to claim 14 , wherein said federated query object is operable to delegate query processing tasks for parametric, keyword, and QBIC queries.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
An object-oriented computer software package according to claim 13 , wherein one of said datastores is searchable by non-text image characteristics.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
70 words
A computer system capable of searching multiple heterogeneous datastores comprising: a memory system storing instructions; a CPU operable to read said instructions from said memory system, said instructions causing said CPU to define a federated query object as a logical object of said object-oriented data model, said federated query object having instructions within said object which cause said CPU to represent and execute a query across said multiple heterogeneous datastores.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
70 words
A computer system capable of searching multiple heterogeneous datastores comprising: a memory system storing instructions; a CPU operable to read said instructions from said memory system, said instructions causing said CPU to define a federated query object as a logical object of said object-oriented data model, said federated query object having instructions within said object which cause said CPU to represent and execute a query across said multiple heterogeneous datastores.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
54 words
A computer system according to claim 23 , wherein said federated query object causes said CPU to delegate query processing tasks to different datastores, at least one of said different datastores performing said query processing tasks using a query language that is different from a query language used by another of said different datastores.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
52 words
A computer system according to claim 23 , wherein said instructions cause said CPU to represent the results of said query as collection objects in said data model, each collection object corresponding to one of said datastores, and represent said collection objects together as a federated collection object in said data model.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
59 words
A computer system according to claim 24 , further comprising: instructions causing said CPU to define a second federated query object as a subquery of said federated query object, said second federated query object operable to cause said CPU to represent and execute a query received from said federated query object across a subset of said multiple heterogeneous datastores.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
25 words
A computer system according to claim 24 , wherein said federated query object enables said CPU to accept a query in a datastore-neutral query syntax.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
45 words
A computer system according to claim 24 , wherein said federated query object enables said CPU to accept a federated query string in a first syntax and parse said federated query string into a second form that is a datastore neutral representation of said query.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
18 words
A computer system according to claim 28 , wherein said second form is a federated query canonical form.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
41 words
A computer system according to claim 24 , wherein said federated query object is initiated by an application program, and said federated query object is operable to relieve said application program from delegating said query processing tasks to said different datastores.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
35 words
A computer system according to claim 24 , wherein said federated query object is initiated by an application program, and said federated query object is operable to combine results of said query from different datastores.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
36 words
A computer system according to claim 24 , wherein said federated query object is operable to cause said CPU to delegate query processing tasks to datastores which employ any one of DL, DB2, VI, and OD.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
30 words
A computer system according to claim 24 , wherein said federated query object is operable to cause said CPU to delegate query processing tasks for parametric, keyword, and QBIC queries.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
19 words
A computer system according to claim 23 , wherein one of said datastores is searchable by non-text image characteristics.
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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) | 2004-05-14 | 2004-11-13 | 2005-05-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-05-14 | 2008-11-13 | 2009-05-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-05-14 | 2012-11-13 | 2013-05-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |