Patent ID: 8224829
Filing Date: 2012-07-17
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A computer-implemented method of organising a database, encoded in a computer-readable storage medium, which in use comprises an index and data and wherein the index is queried using a search criterion comprising at least one key, each key comprising a plurality of bits, in order to locate data matching the search criterion, wherein the index is a hierarchical structure of nodes that is navigated during a search until a conclusion set satisfying the search criterion is reached, and wherein the index is searched by comparing, at each node, a decision group within the search key with a decision value associated with the node to determine whether the decision group is greater or less than the decision value, wherein the number of bits in the decision group can be set to include any number of bits between a single bit and all the bits of the key, wherein at least some of the decision groups comprise a plurality of bits less than all the bits of the key, wherein the decision value associated with each node can be set to a chosen value, and wherein each node has less than three exit paths therefrom, further comprising returning a query result that corresponds to the conclusion set.