Systems, methods, and computer program products to reduce computer processing in grid cell size determination for indexing of multidimensional databases

• US 20060106833A1
• Filed: 10/20/2005
• Published: 05/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Chen, Ying, Stolze, Knut, Rao, Fang Yan
• Granted Patent: US 7,437,372 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2264 Multidimensional index structures
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99934 Query formulation, input preparation, or translation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99942 Manipulating data structure, e.g. compression, compaction, compilation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface

Abstract

Systems, methods, and computer products that improve the techniques used to search multidimensional databases over techniques of the past. The preferred embodiment of the present invention advantageously improves the technique of determining a grid index that is used to locate a geometric shape in a spatial database. More particularly, the preferred embodiment of the present invention improves the technique of sampling data for defining the grid cell size in a grid for a given data set, thereby improving the grid indexing process that locates a particular minimum-bounding rectangle and the associated geometric shape.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for reducing a number of index entries for efficiently indexing data in a multidimensional database, said multidimensional database having at least one associated grid, comprising:

using levels associated with two or more said grids, wherein the levels represent partitions of space at various resolutions of said grids, and wherein a same grid cell size is used for cells of a grid at one level of said levels;

sampling said grid at a first said level to produce an estimated number of index entries for at least one geometric shape as if said at least one geometric shape were indexed at said first level while determining sizes for said sampled grid at each level;

optimizing at least one said size for said sampled grid;

estimating said number of index entries associated with two or more said levels; and

using said at least one optimized size and said estimated number of index entries to determine an efficient number of said index entries in said multidimensional database thereby efficiently indexing said data in said multidimensional database.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising:

determining an index performance indicator associated with said optimized size; and

using said index performance indicator to determine said efficient number of index entries by use of said index performance indicator.

3. A computer system that reduces a number of index entries for efficiently indexing data in a multidimensional database, said multidimensional database having at least one associated grid, comprising:

two or more said grids that are associated with levels, wherein the levels represent partitions of space at various resolutions of said grids, and wherein a same grid cell size is used for cells of a grid at one level of said levels;

said two or more grids being sampled at a first said level to produce an estimated number of index entries for at least one geometric shape as if said at least one geometric shape were indexed at said first level while determining sizes for said sampled grid at each level;

at least one said sampled grid size being optimized;

an estimated said number of index entries associated with two or more said levels; and

said at least one optimized size and said estimated number of index entries that determine an efficient number of said index entries in said multidimensional database thereby efficiently indexing said data in said multidimensional database.

4. The computer system of claim 3 further comprising an index performance indicator that is associated with said optimized size and that is used to determine said efficient number of index entries by use of said index performance indicator.

5. An article of manufacture comprising a computer usable medium embodying one or more instructions executable by said computer for causing said computer to reduce a number of index entries for efficiently indexing data in a multidimensional database, said multidimensional database having at least one associated grid, wherein:

said computer instructions use levels associated with two or more said grids, wherein the levels represent partitions of space at various resolutions of said grids, and wherein a same grid cell size is used for cells of a grid at one level of said levels;

said computer instructions sample said grid at a first said level to produce an estimated number of index entries for at least one geometric shape as if said at least one geometric shape were indexed at said first level while determining sizes for said sampled grid at each level;

said computer instructions optimize at least one said size for said sampled grid;

said computer instructions estimate said number of index entries associated with two or more said levels; and

said computer instructions use said at least one optimized size and said estimated number of index entries to determine an efficient number of said index entries in said multidimensional database thereby efficiently indexing said data in said multidimensional database.

6. The article of manufacture of claim 5 wherein:

said computer instructions determine an index performance indicator associated with said optimized size; and

said computer instructions use said index performance indicator to determine said efficient number of index entries by use of said index performance indicator.