Patent ID: 7363284
Filing Date: 2008-04-22
Classification: G06F,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A processor-based method of constructing a data structure having a root node, leaf nodes and non-leaf nodes defining multiple hierarchical levels, comprising: a.) creating and storing data into one or more leaf nodes; b.) creating a non-leaf node of the data structure as a parent of each of the one or more leaf nodes; c.) creating another non-leaf node and adding the created non-leaf node to the data structure so that the created non-leaf node and all other non-leaf nodes within the data structure that are parents of leaf nodes are located a same number of hierarchical levels from the root node of the data structure; d.) repeating steps a.)-c.) one or more times; e.) allowing a user to search the data structure; f.) while the user is searching the data structure, creating a second data structure that includes a root node, leaf nodes, and non-leaf nodes defining multiple hierarchical levels, with all of the leaf nodes of the second data structure residing a same number of hierarchical levels from the root node of the second data structure; g.) preventing access to one or more nodes of the data structure; h.) adding the second data structure to the data structure such that all leaf nodes in the data structure, including leaf nodes that had been included within the second data structure, reside a same number of hierarchical levels from the root node of the data structure; and i.) allowing the user to access all nodes of the data structure.