Patent ID: 6931418

Claim:
A method for supporting data analysis through use of a partial-order structuring of multi-dimensional data and aggregated measurements stored in computer memory, and use of a pattern-comparison means, said pattern-comparison means having the ability to compare two patterns across a multiplicity of dimensions so as to determine whether the first pattern is more-general-than the second pattern, comprising the steps of: (a) loading of metadata defining the type hierarchy; (b) transforming multi-dimensional fact data into a plurality of nodes, said nodes containing at least a pattern part and a measures part, and said pattern part having the ability to store a multiplicity of dimension values simultaneously; (c) loading of said data nodes into a partial-order structure providing a functional representation of a rooted directed-acyclic graph whose arcs embody an ordering by the relationship established by the pattern-comparison means; (d) loading of a plurality of additional nodes into said partial-order structure, wherein said additional nodes contain a pattern part that is more general than any pattern contained in said data nodes; (e) aggregating the measures part from said data nodes into the measures part of said additional nodes; (f) performing on-demand aggregation, facilitated by said partial-order structure, in response to a query for which insufficient pre-aggregated data is currently stored.