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Method for indexing duplicate database records using a full-record fingerprint

  • US 5,745,900 A
  • Filed: 08/09/1996
  • Issued: 04/28/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/09/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A computer implemented method for indexing duplicate information stored in records of a database, each record having a unique address in the database, comprising:

  • generating a fingerprint for each record, the fingerprint being a singular value derived from all of the information of the record according to a predetermined combination of the information of the record;

    storing the fingerprint in the index as a unique fingerprint if the fingerprint is different than a previously stored fingerprint of the index along with a reference to the unique address of the record;

    indexing the record having the unique fingerprint as a master record; and

    storing a reference to the unique address of the record with the reference to the address of a previously stored unique fingerprint if the fingerprint is identical to the previously stored unique fingerprint.

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