Method for searching documents for ranges of numeric values
First Claim
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1. A computer implemented method comprising:
- accessing document identifiers for documents, wherein the documents include at least one value that is a member of a set of values;
generating a number of posting lists, wherein each posting list is associated with a range of consecutive values within the set of values and includes document identifiers for documents including at least one value within the range of consecutive values associated with the posting list, and wherein each document identifier is associated with one value in the set of values included in the document identified by the document identifier;
storing the generated posting lists, wherein the posting lists are used to process a query on a range of values within the set of values;
receiving a query on a query range of values within the set of values;
determining a minimum number of posting lists associated with consecutive values that together include the query range of values;
merging the determined posting lists to form a merged posting list including document identifiers of documents including values within the query range; and
returning the document identifiers in the merged posting list.
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Abstract
Provided are a method, system, and program for searching documents for ranges of numeric values. Document identifiers for documents are accessed, wherein the documents include at least one value that is a member of a set of values. A number of posting lists are generated. Each posting list is associated with a range of consecutive values within the set of values and includes document identifiers for documents having values within the range of consecutive values associated with the posting list. Each document identifier is associated with one value in the set of values included in the document identified by the document identifier. The generated posting lists are stored.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A computer implemented method comprising:
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accessing document identifiers for documents, wherein the documents include at least one value that is a member of a set of values; generating a number of posting lists, wherein each posting list is associated with a range of consecutive values within the set of values and includes document identifiers for documents including at least one value within the range of consecutive values associated with the posting list, and wherein each document identifier is associated with one value in the set of values included in the document identified by the document identifier; storing the generated posting lists, wherein the posting lists are used to process a query on a range of values within the set of values; receiving a query on a query range of values within the set of values; determining a minimum number of posting lists associated with consecutive values that together include the query range of values; merging the determined posting lists to form a merged posting list including document identifiers of documents including values within the query range; and returning the document identifiers in the merged posting list. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A computer implemented method comprising:
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accessing document identifiers for documents including at least one value that is a member of a set of values; generating a number of posting lists associated with a first level, wherein each posting list is associated with a range of consecutive values within the set of values and includes document identifiers for documents including at least one value within the range of consecutive values associated with the posting list, and wherein each document identifier is associated with one value in the set of values included in the document identified by the document identifier; performing at least one iteration of generating posting lists for an additional level, wherein each posting list generated for the additional level is formed by merging at least two posting lists associated with a previous level, wherein each generated posting list at one additional level is associated with consecutive values in the set of values, wherein each document in the generated posting list at the additional level includes one value in the consecutive values associated with the posting list at the additional level, and wherein a new additional level and posting lists associated therewith are generated with each iteration; receiving a query on a query range of values within the set of values; determining a minimum number of posting lists associated with one or more levels having consecutive values that include the query range of values; merging the determined posting lists to form a merged posting list including document identifiers of documents including values within the query range; and returning the document identifiers in the merged posting list. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification