US 5,845,276 AGranted

Database link system

AssigneeFDC Limited

InventorsMichael Gene Emerson, Kelly Reed Westman, Sushil Pallai

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Abstract

A method and system are provided for direct marketer personnel to enhance query performance. The query is performed on modified relational database data stored as contiguous data fields across all records in the database. The queries are performed using a process called bitmapping. A bitmap is a series of computer words strung together in a one dimensional array. It looks at data as a series of bits rather than a higher level data type such as an integer or floating point value. The system also provides the ability to provide a system that permits data segmentation, ad hoc requests, and systematic research. The system is also capable of producing a suite of reports that are specific to the needs of direct marketers. These include reports on RFM information (recency of last purchase, frequency of purchases, and monetary totals of life to date information. These reports are generated on a regular (usually monthly basis) and are used to drive the direct marketing process.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A computer implemented method of searching a relational database, comprising the steps of:

(a) querying a plurality of data fields by means of a client server interface program, wherein said client server interface program is loaded onto a personal computer where said queries are entered and processed into packets, said packets being sent to a database server,
(b) receiving said packets by means of a program executed by said database server, said database server storing a database where all database records are rotated 90 degrees such that data for each field is stored contiguously across all customers;
(c) retrieving data from said database corresponding to the field contained in said packets, wherein data from other fields is not retrieved;
(d) comparing the query from said packets to the data retrieved from said database;
(e) creating bitmaps indicating the results of said comparisons, wherein said bitmaps are one-dimensional arrays;
(f) combining said bitmaps in a sequence to create a results bitmap forming an aggregated result;
(g) counting the number of bits in said results bitmap by converting said results bitmap into integer values, wherein said integer values are used as an index into an array containing the number of bits set to determine the number of records in said database which match the query;
and
(h) sending query results back to the client server interface program.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/580,473Filed 29 Dec 1995 · continuation
Priority: 22 Oct 1993
Granted: 1 Dec 1998
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification8 codes

G06Q 30/02
Commerce: marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
G06F 16/24561
Of query operations: intermediate data storage techniques for performance improvement
Y10S 707/99932
Database or file accessing: access augmentation or optimizing
Y10S 707/99933
Database or file accessing: query processing, i.e. searching