Aggregate Search Index With Field-Specific Metadata Retrieval

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional search systems with numerous metadata fields face inefficiencies due to increased computational costs and memory usage, while combining these fields into a single index loses the ability to identify specific metadata values.

Innovation Solution

An aggregate index is created that combines metadata fields while maintaining separate value storage, allowing searches across multiple fields and identifying the specific field associated with each value.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If multiple metadata fields are maintained separately in the search index, then field-specific identification is preserved, but memory usage and computational cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefield-specific identificationVSAvoidmemory usage

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate metadata field indices into a single aggregate search index, merging the indexing structure while preserving the ability to identify which original field each value came from through separate value storage mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the index into two distinct parts: an aggregate index structure for efficient searching that combines terms from multiple fields, and separate value storage locations that maintain field-specific identification, allowing each part to serve its specific function optimally

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of information

If multiple metadata fields are maintained separately in the search index, then field-specific identification is preserved, but search complexity and computational cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefield-specific identificationVSAvoidsearch complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple field indices into a single aggregate index that consolidates the search interface, allowing users to search across all metadata fields through one unified structure rather than managing multiple separate search operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mapping mechanism that connects the aggregate index to separate value storage locations, acting as a mediator that enables field-specific identification without requiring the search complexity of managing multiple separate indices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If metadata fields are combined into a single field, then memory and disk space are saved, but the ability to identify specific field values is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvememory spaceVSAvoidfield-specific identification

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the storage system into two distinct components: a combined aggregate index that saves space by merging field structures, and separate value storage locations that preserve field-specific identification, allowing each component to optimize for its specific purpose

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the value storage from the index structure itself, separating the search-optimized aggregate index from the field-specific value storage, allowing the index to be compact while values maintain their field associations in dedicated storage locations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Productivity

If metadata fields are combined into a single field, then search speed improves, but the ability to search for values in specific fields is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesearch speedVSAvoidfield-specific identification

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the search system into a unified aggregate index for fast searching across all fields and separate value storage for field-specific identification, enabling both fast searches and field-specific queries without compromise

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12511316B2Systems and methods for generating and using aggregated search indices and non-aggregated value storage

Publication Date: 2025.12.30 OPEN TEXT SA ULC

AI summary

Systems, methods and computer program products for using searchable aggregate indices associated with non-aggregated value storage. In one method, a search system stores metadata values for each of a plurality of objects in a storage unit. The metadata values are stored in corresponding value storage locations that are associated with an identifiable metadata fields. An aggregate index is provided which includes a dictionary of terms that are contained in metadata values associated with a designated set of the metadata fields. The aggregate index is searched for one or more specific search terms, and one or more of the metadata values are retrieved from the value storage locations in response to the search, where the individual metadata fields associated with the retrieved metadata values are identified.