Fixed-Width Field Array for Document Rank Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inverted indexes in document search systems require significant computational efforts and time for creation and updating, especially when dealing with frequently updated metadata such as document rank, which can lead to costly re-indexing processes.
Innovation Solution
The use of fixed-width field arrays allows for the storage and updating of numeric rank data independently of the inverted index, enabling fast and efficient access and updating without the need for re-indexing, by using memory-mapped data structures that store rank values separately from the inverted index.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If inverted indexes are used to store and retrieve document metadata, then search capability is improved, but updating frequently changed metadata like document rank requires costly re-indexing operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the document metadata storage into two separate components: an inverted index for search capability and a fixed-width field array for rank data storage. This segmentation allows independent updates of rank data without affecting the inverted index structure, resolving the contradiction between maintaining search capability and enabling fast updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the frequently updated rank metadata from the inverted index structure and stores it separately in a fixed-width field array. This extraction eliminates the need to re-index the entire inverted index when rank data changes, while preserving the inverted index for search operations.
2Manufacturing precision
If inverted indexes are recreated to reflect updated document rank metadata, then data accuracy is improved, but significant computational time and resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-allocating fixed-width fields for each document's rank data in a separate array structure. This preliminary setup enables direct updates to rank values without requiring subsequent re-indexing operations, maintaining data accuracy while eliminating time-consuming re-indexing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If all metadata is stored in the inverted index for comprehensive search, then search versatility is improved, but update complexity increases for frequently changed fields
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments metadata storage by placing search-critical metadata in the inverted index and frequently updated metadata (like rank) in a separate fixed-width field array. This segmentation maintains search versatility through the inverted index while simplifying update complexity for rank data through direct array access.
Data Source
AI summary
An archive in a computer based search server can include a fixed-width field array storing numeric rank data associated with documents. The search server can provide search results using the numeric rank data obtained from the fixed-width field array.