초록 ▼

A technique for ranking records of a database is disclosed. The database records to be ranked are located during a search of an index to the database performed in response to a query received from a user. The index has a plurality of index entries, wherein each index entry has a weight. The query ha

A technique for ranking records of a database is disclosed. The database records to be ranked are located during a search of an index to the database performed in response to a query received from a user. The index has a plurality of index entries, wherein each index entry has a weight. The query has a plurality of query terms, wherein each query term corresponds to an index entry. In one embodiment, the technique is realized by scoring each located record according to the number of times portions of information corresponding to each query term occur in each record and the weight of each index entry corresponding to each occurring query term. The score and an identifier of each located record are then stored in a respective entry of a ranking list. The ranking list has a limit on the number of entries that are stored therein. In response to the ranking list reaching the limit, it is determined if any records yet to be located may achieve a score that is higher than the score of any of the records already located and stored in the ranking list based upon query terms corresponding to index entries having a low weight. If not, the index is searched using query terms corresponding to index entries having weights higher than the low weight.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.]1. A method for ranking records of a database located during a search of an index to the database performed in response to a query received from a user, the index having a plurality of index entries, each index entry having a weight, the query having a plurality of query terms, each

[ I claim:] [1.]1. A method for ranking records of a database located during a search of an index to the database performed in response to a query received from a user, the index having a plurality of index entries, each index entry having a weight, the query having a plurality of query terms, each query term corresponding to an index entry, the method comprising the steps of:scoring each located record according to the number of times portions of information corresponding to each query term occur in each record and the weight of each index entry corresponding to each occurring query term;storing the score and an identifier of each located record in a respective entry of a ranking list, the ranking list having a limit on the number of entries stored therein; andin response to the ranking list reaching the limit, determining if any records yet to be located may achieve a score that is higher than the score of any of the records already located and stored in the ranking list based upon query terms corresponding to index entries having a low weight, and, if not, searching the index using query terms corresponding to index entries having weights higher than the low weight.