Databank system with methods for efficiently storing non uniforms data records
First Claim
1. In a data processing system for storing and processing a plurality of non-uniform data records storing information, each data record comprising a plurality of data fields, an improved method for storing said non-uniform data records, the method comprising:
- (a) storing in a single data record information from the data fields of each of said non-uniform data records together in a single free-form field of a single database table;
(b) storing a set of field descriptors for describing each group of data records which are similar; and
(c) storing in data fields associated with said free-form field information having a type which is uniform from one record to another.
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Accused Products
Abstract
System and methods are described for efficient storage and processing of non-uniform data records. An exemplary embodiment includes a Databank system having a Database Engine, a Database Engine API (Application Program Interface), a Databank Engine, a Databank Engine Class Interface, and a Databank (storage). The Databank storage itself comprises a Descriptor Table (Form Definition) and a Data Repository. The Descriptor Table comprises a plurality of field descriptors for characterizing user information stored in the Databank. The Data Repository, on the other hand, stores the actual data from the non-uniform data records. It comprises "static" fields and a "dynamic" field. The static fields store core fields necessary for characterizing each data record (irrespective of what type of information a given data record stores). User data are stored in a structured, pre-defined manner using logical fields (or "subfields") of the dynamic field. The system correctly interprets the dynamic contents based on the information stored in the descriptors. Methods are described for storing and retrieving information from the Databank in a manner which is transparent to clients, thus allowing the Databank subsystem to easily replace existing storage subsystems.
155 Citations
13 Claims
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1. In a data processing system for storing and processing a plurality of non-uniform data records storing information, each data record comprising a plurality of data fields, an improved method for storing said non-uniform data records, the method comprising:
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(a) storing in a single data record information from the data fields of each of said non-uniform data records together in a single free-form field of a single database table; (b) storing a set of field descriptors for describing each group of data records which are similar; and (c) storing in data fields associated with said free-form field information having a type which is uniform from one record to another. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. In a computer database system, a method for rendering user data on a screen display, the method comprising:
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(a) storing said user data as a plurality of data records comprising a plurality of data fields, all stored in a database table; (b) storing for each of said data fields hints describing desired display characteristics of how said each data field is to be rendered on said screen display; (c) receiving a request for displaying a particular data record on said screen display; and (d) creating a screen form on-the-fly by; (i) reading the hint for each data field to be displayed on the form; and (ii) determining for each data field a relative position and size on the form based on information stored in the hints for said data fields to be displayed; and (e) displaying on said screen display said particular data record in said screen form created on-the-fly. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. In a computer database system, an improved method for browsing different types of data records, the method comprising:
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(a) determining at least one field which said data records have in common; (b) creating a generic index on said at least one field which said data records have in common; (c) receiving a request to browse said different types of data records by said at least one field which said data records have in common; and (d) in response to step (c), displaying on a screen display said different types of data records ordered by said generic index. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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Specification