Method for preventing improper correction of a database during an updating process
First Claim
1. A method for updating information contained in a database comprising the steps of:
- providing a first database containing a plurality of data entries;
providing a reference database containing a plurality of reference data entries;
providing an update file containing data that is supplemental to that contained in the reference database;
comparing the data entries in the first database to the reference data entries in the reference database;
identifying a suspect data entry among the data entries in the first database by locating one the data entry that does not match any of the reference data entries in the reference database;
comparing the suspect data entry to information contained in the update file;
in the event that the suspect data entry matches information contained in the update file, leaving the suspect data entry in the first database in an unchanged condition in the first database; and
in the event that the suspect data entry does not match information contained in the update file, one of deleting the suspect data entry from the first database and correcting the data entry in the first database to match the information in the update file.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Updating of information contained in a database is provided, in a more accurate manner, through the use of an update file as part of a coding engine. In particular, a database containing a plurality of data entries is provided to a coding engine. The coding engine will compare the data entries to a reference database. It will leave undisturbed those entries that match entries in the reference database. Entries in the database that do not match will be compared against information contained against an update file, with the update file reflecting events occurring after the last revision of the reference database. In one embodiment, the coding engine is utilized to update street address databases.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for updating information contained in a database comprising the steps of:
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providing a first database containing a plurality of data entries;
providing a reference database containing a plurality of reference data entries;
providing an update file containing data that is supplemental to that contained in the reference database;
comparing the data entries in the first database to the reference data entries in the reference database;
identifying a suspect data entry among the data entries in the first database by locating one the data entry that does not match any of the reference data entries in the reference database;
comparing the suspect data entry to information contained in the update file;
in the event that the suspect data entry matches information contained in the update file, leaving the suspect data entry in the first database in an unchanged condition in the first database; and
in the event that the suspect data entry does not match information contained in the update file, one of deleting the suspect data entry from the first database and correcting the data entry in the first database to match the information in the update file. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for updating information contained in a database comprising the steps of:
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providing a first database containing a plurality of data entries;
wherein the first database is an address database;
providing a reference database containing a plurality of reference data entries;
wherein the reference database is a coding engine;
providing an update file containing data that is supplemental to that contained in the reference database;
comparing the data entries in the first database to the reference data entries in the reference database;
identifying a suspect data entry among the data entries in the first database by locating one the data entry that does not match any of the reference data entries in the reference database;
comparing the suspect data entry to information contained in the update file;
in the event that the suspect data entry matches information contained in the update file, leaving the suspect data entry in the first database in an unchanged condition in the first database;
in the event that the suspect data entry does not match information contained in the update file, one of deleting the suspect data entry from the first database and correcting the data entry in the first database to match the information in the update file; and
periodically updating the update file;
wherein the step of periodically updating the update file further comprises the step of removing from the update file information that has an age in excess of a specified period of time.
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8. A computer system comprising a memory for storing program instructions and data coupled to a processor for executing the program instructions, and a data store for storing a first database, a reference database and an update file, and wherein the program instructions comprising program instructions for:
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comparing data entries in the first database to reference data entries in the reference database;
identifying a suspect data entry among the data entries in the first database by locating one the data entry that does not match any of the reference data entries in the reference database;
comparing the suspect data entry to information contained in the update file;
in the event that the suspect data entry matches information contained in the update file, leaving the suspect data entry in the first database in an unchanged condition in the first database; and
in the event that the suspect data entry does not match information contained in the update file, one of deleting the suspect data entry from the first database and correcting the data entry in the first database to match the information in the update file. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A computer program product comprising signal-bearing media for execution within a computer system that includes a memory for storing program instructions and data coupled to a processor for executing the program instructions, and a data store for storing a first database, a reference database and an update file, and wherein the program instructions comprising program instructions for:
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comparing data entries in the first database to reference data entries in the reference database;
identifying a suspect data entry among the data entries in the first database by locating one the data entry that does not match any of the reference data entries in the reference database;
comparing the suspect data entry to information contained in the update file;
in the event that the suspect data entry matches information contained in the update file, leaving the suspect data entry in the first database in an unchanged condition in the first database; and
in the event that the suspect data entry does not match information contained in the update file, one of deleting the suspect data entry from the first database and correcting the data entry in the first database to match the information in the update file. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification