US5943677A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sparsity management system for multi-dimensional databases
Assignee: Oracle International Corp
•
Filing: 1997-10-31
•
Granted: 1999-08-24
•
Expires: 2017-10-31
Abstract
Abstract In a multi-dimensional database, a composite data construct is created to accommodate sparse dimensions. When the database is defined, sparse dimensions are identified and composites of those sparse dimensions are created. The composites are stored in a linearized array. The amount of storage space allocated is chosen by the database administrator to satisfy reasonable expected growth of the sparse data.
Inventors
- 👤 Grant E. Hicks
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 03:57
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/20; G06F16/28; G06F16/283; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/953; Y10S707/957; Y10S707/99931; Y10S707/99941; Y10S707/99943; Y10S707/99951; Y10S707/99956
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
64 words
A method of storing data in a multi-dimensional database, comprising the steps: receiving input data dimensioned by a plurality of base dimensions wherein there is a combination of base dimensions sparsely populated with data; defining a composite of the sparse base dimensions; and storing the populated data of the composite in a first block of data cells, the first block having a pre-selected size.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
64 words
A method of storing data in a multi-dimensional database, comprising the steps: receiving input data dimensioned by a plurality of base dimensions wherein there is a combination of base dimensions sparsely populated with data; defining a composite of the sparse base dimensions; and storing the populated data of the composite in a first block of data cells, the first block having a pre-selected size.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of storing comprises allocating a linearized array of data cells for the first block.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of storing comprises sizing the first block of data cells to accommodate an expected maximum size for the populated data over time.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of storing comprises: locating a target data cell for storing a data value from information stored in a descriptor; and storing the data value into the target data cell.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the step of storing comprises pre-allocating a subsection of the first block to include the target data cell.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the step of storing the data value comprises: annexing a second block of data cells to the first block, the second block including the target data cell; and modifying the descriptor to localize the target data cell in the second block.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of generating a multi-dimensional report to include data stored the first block.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the report is limited by the sparsely populated base dimensions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of defining comprises synchronizing the sparsely populated base dimensions with the composite.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the step of synchronizing comprises incorporating a status of the sparsely populated base dimensions into a status of the composite.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
81 words
An article of manufacture comprising: a computer-readable medium; in the computer-readable medium, a computer-implemented method for storing data in a multidimensional database, the program comprising the program steps of: receiving input data dimensioned by a plurality of base dimensions wherein there is a combination of base dimensions sparsely populated with data; defining a composite of the sparse base dimensions; and storing the populated data of the composite in a first block of data cells, the first block having a pre-selected size.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
81 words
An article of manufacture comprising: a computer-readable medium; in the computer-readable medium, a computer-implemented method for storing data in a multidimensional database, the program comprising the program steps of: receiving input data dimensioned by a plurality of base dimensions wherein there is a combination of base dimensions sparsely populated with data; defining a composite of the sparse base dimensions; and storing the populated data of the composite in a first block of data cells, the first block having a pre-selected size.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The article of claim 11 wherein the program step of storing comprises allocating a linearized array of data cells for the first block.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The article of claim 11 wherein the program step of storing comprises sizing the first block of data cells to accommodate an expected maximum size for the populated data over time.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
The article of claim 11 wherein the program step of storing comprises: locating a target data cell for storing a data value from information stored in a descriptor; and storing the data value into the target data cell.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The article of claim 14 wherein the program step of storing comprises pre-allocating a subsection of the first block to include the target data cell.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
48 words
The article of claim 14 wherein the program step of storing the data value comprises: annexing a second block of data cells to the first block, the second block including the target data cell; and modifying the descriptor to localize the target data cell in the second block.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The article of claim 11 further comprising the program step of generating a multi-dimensional report to include data stored the first block.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The article of claim 17 wherein the report is limited by the sparsely populated base dimensions.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The article of claim 11 wherein the program step of defining comprises synchronizing the sparsely populated base dimensions with the composite.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The article of claim 19 wherein the program step of synchronizing comprises incorporating a status of the sparsely populated base dimensions into a status of the composite.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
60 words
A system for storing data in a multi-dimensional database, comprising: input data dimensioned by a plurality of base dimensions, wherein there is a combination of base dimensions sparsely populated with data; a composite defined from the sparse base dimensions; and a first block of data cells storing the populated data of the composite, the first block having a pre-selected size.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
60 words
A system for storing data in a multi-dimensional database, comprising: input data dimensioned by a plurality of base dimensions, wherein there is a combination of base dimensions sparsely populated with data; a composite defined from the sparse base dimensions; and a first block of data cells storing the populated data of the composite, the first block having a pre-selected size.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 21 wherein the first block is a linearized array of data cells.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 22 wherein the first block is sized to accommodate an expected maximum size for the populated data cells over time.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 21 further comprising a descriptor for locating a target data cell to store a data value from information stored in the descriptor.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 24 wherein a subsection of the first block is pre-allocated to include the target data cell.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 24 further comprising: a second block of data cells annexed to the first block, the second block including the target data cell; and a modification to the descriptor to localize the target data cell in the second block.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 21 further comprising a report generator to generate a multi-dimensional report to include data stored the first block.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 27 wherein the report is limited by the sparsely populated base dimensions.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 21 wherein the sparsely populated base dimensions are synchronized with the composite.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 29 wherein a status of the sparsely populated base dimensions is incorporated into a status of the composite.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-08-23 | 2003-02-22 | 2003-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-08-23 | 2007-02-22 | 2007-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-08-23 | 2011-02-22 | 2011-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |