Patent ID: 8065309
Filing Date: 2011-11-22
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A computer-implemented method for counting one or more unique search results within a plurality of search results, comprising: creating hash values for the one or more unique search results using a first hash function, wherein the first hash function has a hash value range size, and wherein a hash value comprises information indicative of a uniqueness of a search result within the plurality of search results, with each of the one or more unique search results comprising a search result that differs from each of the other search results; retrieving information indicative of a number of smallest hash values to be selected from the hash values, with the number of smallest hash values in accordance with a margin of error for a first estimated number of unique search results within the plurality of search results; identifying, from the hash values, the number of smallest hash values; generating the first estimated number of unique search results at least partly based on (i) the hash value range size, (ii) the number of smallest hash values, and (iii) a largest hash value in the smallest hash values; generating, using a second hash function, a second estimated number of unique search results; and determining, based on the first estimated number of unique search results and the second estimated number of unique search results, an average number of unique search results.