Reducing index size for multi-level grid indexes
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A computer program for reducing the number of index entries for use in an index for indexing an object, the computer program having program instructions executable by a computer and recorded on a computer-readable medium to perform:
- determining whether a number of grid cells the object overlaps is more than a defined limit number of grid cells at successively coarser levels of a multilevel grid index until it is determined that the number of grid cells that the object overlaps at one of the levels of the multilevel grid index does not exceed the defined limit number of grid cells or it is determined that the number of grid cells that the object overlaps exceeds the defined limit number of grid cells at a coarsest level;
in response to determining that the number of grid cells that the object overlaps at one of the levels of the multilevel grid index does not exceed the defined limit number of grid cells, using that level of the multilevel grid index for grid indexing; and
in response to determining that the object overlaps more than the defined limit number of grid cells at the coarsest level,determining a number of index entries for the object;
storing the index entries in the multilevel grid index if the number of index entries does not exceed a threshold number using the coarsest level of the multilevel grid index for grid indexing; and
storing an indicator of the object in a pool storage area if the number of index entries exceeds the threshold number.
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Abstract
The number of index entries in a grid index for indexing geometric shapes is reduced by establishing a pool storage area for geometric shapes, selecting a threshold number of grid cells which a geometric shape may overlap, storing the shape in the grid index if a geometric shape overlaps a number of grid cells not exceeding the threshold number, and storing the shape in the pool storage area if the geometric shape overlaps a number of grid cells which exceeds the threshold number.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A computer program for reducing the number of index entries for use in an index for indexing an object, the computer program having program instructions executable by a computer and recorded on a computer-readable medium to perform:
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determining whether a number of grid cells the object overlaps is more than a defined limit number of grid cells at successively coarser levels of a multilevel grid index until it is determined that the number of grid cells that the object overlaps at one of the levels of the multilevel grid index does not exceed the defined limit number of grid cells or it is determined that the number of grid cells that the object overlaps exceeds the defined limit number of grid cells at a coarsest level; in response to determining that the number of grid cells that the object overlaps at one of the levels of the multilevel grid index does not exceed the defined limit number of grid cells, using that level of the multilevel grid index for grid indexing; and in response to determining that the object overlaps more than the defined limit number of grid cells at the coarsest level, determining a number of index entries for the object; storing the index entries in the multilevel grid index if the number of index entries does not exceed a threshold number using the coarsest level of the multilevel grid index for grid indexing; and storing an indicator of the object in a pool storage area if the number of index entries exceeds the threshold number. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A computer system for indexing objects, comprising:
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an index comprised of a plurality of index entries for storing indicators of first objects, wherein the index is a multilevel grid index; a pool storage area for storing an indicator of second objects that are not stored in the multilevel grid index, wherein a number of index entries for the second objects if stored in the multilevel grid index is greater than a threshold number; means for determining whether a number of grid cells the object overlaps is more than a defined limit number of grid cells at successively coarser levels of the multilevel grid index until it is determined that the number of grid cells that the object overlaps at one of the levels of the multilevel grid index does not exceed the defined limit number of grid cells or it is determined that the number of grid cells that the object overlaps exceeds the defined limit number of grid cells at a coarsest level; and means for, in response to determining that the number of grid cells that the object overlaps at one of the levels of the multilevel grid index does not exceed the defined limit number of grid cells, using that level of the multilevel grid index for grid indexing. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification