Method for indexing duplicate records of information of a database
AssigneeDigital Equipment Corporation
InventorMichael Burrows
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A computer implemented method indexes duplicate information stored in records having different unique addresses in a database. A fingerprint is generated for each record, the fingerprint is a singular value derived from all of the information of the record. The fingerprint is stored in the index as a unique fingerprint if the fingerprint is different than a previously stored fingerprint of the index. A reference to the unique address of the record is stored with the fingerprint. If the fingerprint is identical to the previously stored fingerprint, then store the reference to the address of the record with the previously stored fingerprint.
Claims17
A method for indexing duplicate information stored in records, each record having a unique address, comprising the steps of:
- generating a first value for a first particular record, the first value being derived from substantially all of the information of the first particular record;
- storing in an index the first value in association with a representation of the unique address of the first particular record;
- generating a second value for a second particular record;
- comparing the second value to the first value;
- and
- when the comparing step determines that the second value is equivalent to the first value, storing a representation of the unique address of the second particular record in association with the first value.
A system for indexing information stored in records, each record having a unique address, comprising:
- at least one processor configured to generate a first value for a first particular record, the first value being derived from substantially all of the information of the first particular record;
- and
- at least one memory configured to store in an index the first value in association with a representation of the unique address of the first particular record;
- wherein
- the at least one processor is further configured to generate a second value for a second particular record, and compare the second value to the first value;
- and
- the at least one memory is configured to store a representation of the unique address of the second particular record in association with the first value if the second value is equivalent to the first value.
An article of manufacture for indexing information stored in records, each record having a unique address, the article of manufacture comprising:
- at least one processor readable carrier;
- and
- instructions contained on the at least one carrier;
- wherein the instructions are configured to be readable from the at least carrier by the at least one processor and thereby cause the at least one processor to operate so as to:
- generate a first value for a first particular record, the first value being derived from substantially all of the information of the first particular record;
- direct storage in an index of the first value in association with a representation of the unique address of the first particular record;
- generate a second value for a second particular record;
- compare the second value to the first value;
- and
- direct storage of a representation of the unique address of the second particular record in association with the first value when the second value is equivalent to the first value.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.