Patent ID: 9244976
Filing Date: 2016-01-26
CPC Classification: G06F

Claim Text:
1. A system for performing an aggregate query of a large structured hidden database or collection of structured hidden databases having information containing a plurality of attributes, wherein the hidden databases impose form user interfaces and a limit on the number of queries that can be performed by one IP address, the system comprising: a processor in communication with the structured hidden database or collection of databases, said processor configured to identify a query plan having multiple levels with each level of the query plan representing one of the plurality of attributes, map the query plan to queries of the structured hidden database or collection of structured hidden databases, query the structured hidden database or collection of structured hidden databases based on the query plan to obtain an aggregate estimation of at least one of the plurality of attributes, identify a search result of a number of top tuples in the structured hidden database or collection of structured hidden databases, and restrict the number of top tuples in the search result when the number of tuples in the search result exceed a maximum number, with only incomplete knowledge of all attribute domains for the plurality of attributes.