Sorting multiple-typed data
First Claim
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1. A method of sorting a plurality of records, comprising the steps of:
- a) enabling the selection of fields of the plurality of records to be sorted;
b) generating a collation keys for the selected fields of the plurality of records; and
c) sorting the collation keys and ordering the selected fields of the plurality of records based on the sorted collation keys.
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Abstract
A sorting system and method that sorts records based on multiple fields by converting the fields to a common data type and sorting the common data type fields using a single sorting algorithm whereupon the records can be ordered based on the sorted common data type fields. The single sorting algorithm can quickly, efficiently, and accurately sort the records because the index fields have been converted to appropriate simple values in a common data type.
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Citations
42 Claims
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1. A method of sorting a plurality of records, comprising the steps of:
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a) enabling the selection of fields of the plurality of records to be sorted;
b) generating a collation keys for the selected fields of the plurality of records; and
c) sorting the collation keys and ordering the selected fields of the plurality of records based on the sorted collation keys. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of sorting a first field and a second field of a plurality of records, comprising the steps of:
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a) generating a first collation keys for the first field of the plurality of records;
b) generating a second collation keys for the second field of the plurality of records; and
c) sorting the first collation keys and the second collation keys and ordering the first field and the second field of the plurality of records based on the sorted first collation keys and the second sorted collation keys. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An article of manufacture for use in sorting a plurality of records, the article of manufacture comprising computer readable storage media including program logic embedded therein that causes control circuitry to perform the steps of:
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a) enabling selection of fields of the plurality of records to be sorted;
b) generating a collation key for the selected fields of the plurality of records; and
c) sorting the collation keys and ordering the selected fields of the plurality of records based on the sorted collation keys. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An article of manufacture for use in sorting a first field and a second field of a plurality of records, the article of manufacture comprising computer readable storage media including program logic embedded therein that causes control circuitry to perform the steps of:
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a) generating first collation keys for the first field of the plurality of records;
b) generating second collation keys for the second field of the plurality of records; and
c) sorting the first collation keys and the second collation keys and ordering the first field and the second field of the plurality of records based on the first sorted collation keys and the second sorted collation keys. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An apparatus for sorting a plurality of records, comprising:
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a) means for enabling the selection of fields of the plurality of records to be sorted;
b) means for generating a collation keys for the selected fields of the plurality of records; and
c) means for sorting the collection keys and ordering the selected fields of the plurality of records based on the sorted collation keys. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. An apparatus for sorting a first field and a second field of a plurality of records, comprising:
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a) means for generating first collation keys for the first field of the plurality of records;
b) means for generating second collation keys for the second field of the plurality of records; and
c) means for sorting the first collation keys and second collation keys and ordering the first field and the second field of the plurality of records based on the first sorted collation keys and the second sorted collation keys. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A method of sorting a plurality of records, comprising the steps of:
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a) enabling the selection of fields of the plurality of records to be sorted;
b) converting the data storage type of the selected fields of the plurality of records to a common data storage type; and
c) sorting the converted common data storage type fields and ordering the selected fields of the plurality of records based on the sorted common data storage type fields. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34)
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35. An article of manufacture for use in sorting a plurality of records, the article of manufacture comprising computer readable storage media including program logic embedded therein that causes control circuitry to perform the steps of:
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a) enabling the selection of fields of the plurality of records to be sorted;
b) converting the data storage type of the selected fields of the plurality of records to a common data storage type; and
c) sorting the converted common data storage type fields and ordering the selected fields of the plurality of records based on the sorted common data storage type fields. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38)
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39. An apparatus for sorting a plurality of records, comprising:
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a) means for enabling the selection of fields of the plurality of records to be sorted;
b) means for converting the data storage type of the selected fields of the plurality of records to a common data storage type; and
c) means for sorting the converted common data storage type fields and ordering the selected fields of the plurality of records based on the sorted common data storage type fields. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42)
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Specification