US 5,857,183 AGranted

Processor for sequential data retrieval from a relational database

AssigneeDigital Equipment Corporation

InventorStoian Kableshkov

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Abstract

A database co-processor for efficient sequential data retrieval from a relational database is provided which is adapted for connection to a host system via a two-way bus. The database co-processor includes an interface unit connected to receive and transmit data over the two-way bus and a database engine connected to the interface unit by input and output bus means. The database engine includes a relevant field selection unit for storing selection criteria relevant to a database query raised by the processor. A comparator which is incorporated into the database engine compares input candidate data received on the input bus in accordance with the selection criteria and produces a result. The database engine further includes a storage medium for the storage of output candidate data received on the input bus. Additionally, the database engine includes a processor for transmitting on the output bus at least a part of (for example, pointers to) the output candidate data in response to the result from the comparison means. The co-processor is designed to enable the circuitry to be manufactured as a single application-specific integrated circuit device.

Claims5

Dependent claims

A database processor (40) for connection to a host processor (30) via first bus means (32), said database processor (40) comprising:

interface means connected to said first bus means for receiving and transmitting data thereover between said database processor (40) and said host processor (30);
a database engine (44) connected to said interface means by internal bus means;
said database engine including:
means for storing selection criteria relevant to a database query raised by said host processor (30);
comparison means (90) for comparing input candidate data received on internal bus means in accordance with said selection criteria and producing a result therefrom, wherein said comparison means (90) for comparing input candidate data includes a plurality of compare cells (92) each configured to test a single relational primitive, each compare cell including output generating means (97,98) for indicating an output result of said relational primitive test;
storage means (120) for storing output candidate data received on said internal bus means, said storage means located within said data base engine (44);
and
means for transmitting (120) on said internal bus means (48) at least a part of said output candidate data in response to said result from said comparison means.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/850,530Filed 2 May 1997 · continuation
Priority: GB 93003299 Jan 1993
Granted: 5 Jan 1999
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

G06F 9/3879
Using a secondary processor, e.g. coprocessor: for non-native instruction execution, e.g. executing a command; for Java instruction set
G06F 9/30167
Decoding the operand specifier, e.g. specifier format: of immediate specifier, e.g. constants
G06F 16/284
Databases characterised by their database models, e.g. relational or object models: relational databases
Y10S 707/99933
Database or file accessing: query processing, i.e. searching