Patent ID: 8131729
Filing Date: 2012-03-06
Classification: G06F,G06Q

Abstract:
1. A method for searching a best-fit record identified by a key comprising n number of fields, n is a positive integer greater than one (1), the method comprising: assigning a respective level for each field of said n number of fields in the key such that the respective level of each field is distinctive and such that the respective level of each field represents a respective significance of each field of the key in identifying the best-fit record, wherein said n number of fields of the key appears within the key in a descending order of the respective level associated with said each field; subsequent to said assigning, generating a set of values for the key, wherein each value in the set is specified in a respective number (k) of fields among the n number of fields, wherein k is zero (0) or a positive integer, wherein the k number of fields specifying said each value are contiguous starting from a first field of the key associated with a highest level among the respective level of said each field such that said each value in the set is associated with a respective degree of specificity determined from the highest level, such that wherein k=0, a first value of said each value specifies the k number of fields is a most general value in the set, and such that wherein k=n, a second value of said each value specifies the k number of fields is a most specific value in the set; subsequent to said generating, finding the best-fit record for a search value for the key, wherein the best-fit record is identified by a best-fit value for the key, wherein the best-fit value is a most specific member of the generated set, satisfying that each data item in the k fields of the best-fit value is respectively equal to each data item in k corresponding fields of the search value; and subsequent to said finding, communicating the best-fit record from said finding to a requester of the best-fit record for the search value, wherein the requester is a caller application; wherein said assigning, said generating, said finding, and said communicating are performed by a service module shared among multiple caller applications comprising the requester.