Information storage and retrieval system and method

• US 4,318,184 A
• Filed: 09/05/1978
• Issued: 03/02/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dell K. Allen, Ronald P. Millett
• Original Assignee: Dell K. Allen, Ronald P. Millett
• Inventors: Allen, Dell K., Millett, Ronald P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shaw, Gareth D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chan, Eddie P.
• Application Number:
  US05/939,630
• Time in Patent Office: 1,274 Days
• Field of Search: 364/200 MS File, 364/900 MS File, 364/300
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4181 characterised by direct numerical control [DNC]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99931 Database or file accessing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing

Abstract

A computerized system and method for electronically storing, retrieving, separating, comparing and interrelating data which is maintained in a predetermined classification scheme. Data is electronically stored under the predetermined classification scheme in the form of hierarchal information trees. Data corresponding to a selected attribute may be found in an information tree by using a CRT terminal to scan the various levels of the hierarchy of the tree. As the various levels of the tree are scanned, nodes in each level of the tree are selected in accordance with the desired attribute which is being searched. The selection of various nodes in the levels of the information tree defines one or more concurrent paths through the tree which provide access to all data classified under the information tree corresponding to the attribute being searched. A CPU generates an encoded representation for each set of concurrent paths that are searched through the information tree. Each set of encoded paths is identified by a keyword that corresponds to one of the searched attributes and each keyword with its associated set of encoded paths is stored. The stored keywords and their associated encoded paths may be selectively retrieved and combined in a logical arithmetic unit to produce a particular set of encoded paths which provides concurrent multiple path access through the hierarchal information tree to all data corresponding to a desired combination of attributes. Alternatively, each retrieved set of paths may be used to identify an attribute that is stored in a hierarchal decision table tree, thereby providing access through the decision table tree to all data corresponding to the desired combination of attributes. A special purpose module is also provided which operates to compact the format of the encoded path representations prior to their storage and which also operates to re-expand the format of the encoded path representations after their retrieval and prior to manipulation in the logical arithmetic unit.

Claims

1. In a computer system having a CPU, an input/output device electronically coupled to said CPU, a first storage means electronically coupled to said CPU and a second storage means electronically coupled to said CPU, a method of information storage and retrieval comprising the steps of:

(1) logically classifying a body of data and arranging sid classified data in the form of a hierarchal information tree having a plurality of mutually exclusive paths leading to the classified data located at various levels in the hierarchy of said tree;

(2) storing said hierarchy of classified data in said first storage means;

(3) entering one or more keywords at said input/output device;

(4) generating at said input/output device a display of the mutually exclusive paths for one or more said levels in the hierarchal structure of said tree;

(5) selecting from the mutually exclusive paths displayed at said input/output device a concurrent set of paths leading through said hierarchal tree to a new subset of data;

(6) encoding each selected set of concurrent paths in a single bit string representation;

(7) storing each encoded set of concurrent paths;

(8) generating at said input/output device a list of one or more keywords;

(9) retrieving from said second storage means one or more of said encoded sets of concurrent paths corresponding to the keywords generated at said input/output device; and

(10) displaying at said input/output device the subset of data accessed through said hierarchal tree by each said retrieved set of concurrent paths.

2. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said computer system further comprises a microprocessor electronically interconnected between said CPU and said second storage means, and wherein said method further comprises the steps of:

transmitting each encoded set of paths to said microprocessor prior to storage in said second storage means;

using said microprocessor to compact the format length of each said encoded set of paths prior to storage;

transmitting each retrieved set of encoded paths to said microprocessor; and

using said microprocessor to expand the format length of each said retrieved encoded set of paths back to its original format length prior to using said retrieved encoded set of paths to access data.

3. A method as defined in claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

entering a logical combination of keywords at said input/output device;

retrieving from said second storage means each encoded set of concurrent paths addressed by the entered keywords; and

logically intersecting one or more of said retrieved encoded sets of paths so as to identify a resulting set of encoded concurrent paths that will provide concurrent multiple path access through said hierarchal tree to the intersection of all data subsets corresponding to the logical combination of keywords entered at said input/output device.

4. In a computer system comprising a CPU with a main programmed memory, an input/output device electronically coupled to said CPU, and first and second storage memories electronically coupled to said CPU, a method of storing, interrelating and retrieving data that has been logically classifed and arranged in the form of a hierarchal information tree having a plurality of mutually exclusive paths leading to the classified data located at various levels in the hierarchy of said tree, the method comprising the steps of:

(1) storing said hierarchy of classified data in said first storage memory;

(2) recalling from said first storage memory and generating at said input/output device a display of the mutually exclusive paths for one or more said levels in the hierarchal structure of said tree;

(3) selecting from the mutually exclusive paths displayed at said input/output device a concurrent set of paths leading through said hierarchal tree, said concurrent set of paths identifying a new subset of data retrievable from the hierarchal tree structure;

p1 (4) encoding said concurrent set of paths in a single bit string and thereafter storing the encoded set of concurrent paths in said second storage memory;

(5) repeating steps (1) to (4) a selected number of times;

(6) recalling from said second storage memory two or more of the encoded sets of concurrent paths;

(7) logically intersecting two or more said retrieved sets of concurrent paths such that a new set of encoded paths will result;

(8) decoding said new set of concurrent paths resulting from step (7); and

(9) displaying at said input/output device the data accessed through said hierarchal tree by said new set of concurrent paths resulting from step (7).

5. In a computer-assisted manufacturing plant having a CPU with a main memory, an input/output device electronically coupled to said CPU, and a storage memory electronically coupled to said CPU, a method of planning and standardizing each sequence of manufacturing operations to be performed in manufacturing a plurality of different parts, the method comprising the steps of:

(1) logically classifying and arranging a plurality of part shape attributes in the form of a first hierarchal information tree having a plurality of mutually exclusive paths leading to the classified part shape attributes that are located at various levels in the hierarchy of said first tree;

(2) logically classifying and arranging a plurality of materials attributes in the form of a second hierarchal information tree having a plurality of mutually exclusive paths leading to the classified materials attributes that are located at various levels in the hierarchy of said second tree;

(3) logically classifying and arranging a plurality of manufacturing steps in the form of a third hierarchal information tree having a plurality of mutually exclusive paths leading to the classified manufacturing steps that are located at various levels in the hierarchy of said third tree;

(4) storing said first, second and third trees in said storage memory;

(5) entering one or more of said part shape attributes and said materials attributes at said input/output device, each said entered attribute defining a keyword;

(6) recalling from said storage memory and generating at said input/output device a display of the mutually exclusive paths for one or more levels in the hierarchal structure of said third tree;

(7) selecting from the displayed paths of said third tree a concurrent set of paths corresponding to one of said entered keywords, said concurrent set of paths identifying a series of manufacturing steps for producing the attribute defined by said keyword;

(8) encoding in a single bit string said concurrent set of paths selected in step (7), and storing said encoded set of paths in said main CPU memory in an address identified by said keyword;

(9) repeating steps (6) through (8) for each said keyword;

(10) obtaining a drawing of a part to be manufactured;

(11) recalling from said storage memory and generating at said input/output device a display of one or more levels in the hierarchy of each said first and second trees;

(12) selecting from the levels displayed in step (11) a list of one or more part shape and materials attributes that are descriptive of said part to be manufactured;

(13) identifying from said main CPU memory all keywords matching the attributes of said list;

(14) retrieving from said main CPU memory the encoded set of paths for each matching keyword;

(15) logically intersecting the encoded sets of paths retrieved in step (14), so that one encoded set of paths will result from said intersection;

(16) decoding the concurrent set of paths resulting from the intersection of step (15);

(17) generating at said input/output device a display of the manufacturing steps identified in said third tree by the concurrent set of paths decoded in step (16);

(18) obtaining the raw materials corresponding to the part to be manufactured; and

(19) manufacturing said part by performing the manufacturing steps displayed in step (17).

6. In a computer system comprising:

(A) a CPU with a main programmed memory;

(B) an input/output device electronically coupled to said CPU;

(C) first and second storage memories electronically coupled to said CPU; and

(D) a data base stored in said first storage memory and comprising;

(i) a hierarchal information tree having a plurality of mutually exclusive paths leading to a plurality of attributes that are logically classified and located at various levels in the hierarchy of said tree; and

(ii) a hierarchal decision table tree having a plurality of mutually exclusive paths leading to a plurality of attributes that match one or more of the attributes of said hierarchal information tree, each attribute in said decision table tree terminating in a group of nodes that identify a particular subset of data contained in said decision table tree;

a method of information storage and retrieval comprising the steps of;

(1) recalling from said first storage memory and generating at said input/output device a display of the mutually exclusive paths for one or more said levels of the hierarchal information tree;

(2) selecting from the mutually exclusive paths displayed at said input/output device a concurrent set of paths leading through said hierarchal information tree, said concurrent set of paths identifying a new subset of the attributes classified therein;

(3) encoding said concurrent set of paths in a single bit string and thereafter storing the encoded set of concurrent paths in said second storage memory;

(4) recalling said encoded set of concurrent paths from said second storage memory and identifying the subset of selected attributes accessed through said concurrent set of paths;

(5) searching said decision table tree for all attributes contained therein that match the attributes identified in step (4); and

(6) displaying at said input/output device all data subsets defined by the attributes of said decision table tree found to match the attributes identified in step (4).

7. In a computer-assisted manufacturing plant comprising:

(A) a CPU with a main programmed memory;

(B) an input/output device electronically coupled to said CPU;

(C) first and second storage memories electronically coupled to said CPU; and

(D) a data base stored in said first storage memory and comprising;

(i) a first hierarchal classification tree having a plurality of mutually exclusive paths leading to a plurality of part shape attributes that are logically classified and located at various levels in the hierarchy of said first tree;

(ii) a second hierarchal classification tree having a plurality of mutually exclusive paths leading to a plurality of materials attributes that are logically classified and located at various levels in the hierarchy of said second tree; and

(iii) a hierararchal decision table tree having a plurality of mutually exclusive paths leading to a plurality of attributes that match one or more of the part shape and materials attributes of said first and second trees, each said matching attribute in said decision table tree terminating in a particular group of nodes which identify a series of manufacturing operations for producing the matching attribute;

a method of planning and standardizing each sequence of manufacturing operations to be performed in manufacturing a plurality of different parts, the method comprising the steps of;

(1) obtaining a drawing of a part to be manufactured;

(2) recalling from said first storage memory and generating at said input/output device a display of the mutually exclusive paths for one or more levels in the hierarchy of said first tree;

(3) selecting from the mutually exclusive paths displayed in step (2) a concurrent set of paths leading through said first tree, said concurrent set of paths identifying a subset of the part shape attributes classified in said first tree;

(4) encoding the concurrent set of paths of step (3) in a single bit string and thereafter storing the encoded set of concurrent paths in said second storage memory;

(5) recalling from said first storage memory and generating at said input/output device a display of the mutually exclusive paths for one or more of the levels in said second tree;

(6) selecting from the mutually exclusive paths displayed in step (5) a concurrent set of paths leading through said second tree, said concurrent set of paths identifying a subset of materials attributes classified therein;

(7) encoding the concurrent set of paths of step (6) in a single bit string and thereafter storing the encoded set of concurrent paths in said second storage memory;

(8) recalling each encoded set of concurrent paths from said second storage memory and identifying the subsets of selected part shape and materials attributes accessed through each said concurrent set of paths;

(9) searching said decision table tree for all part shape and materials attributes contained therein that match the part shape and materials atrributes identified in step (8);

(10) displaying at said input/output device all manufacturing operations defined by the attributes of said decision table tree that are found to match the attributes identified in step (8);

(11) obtaining the raw materials corresponding to the part to be manufactured; and

(12) manufacturing said part by performing the manufacturing operations displayed in step (10).