Method and apparatus for reducing the scope of queries that seek information from networked computers
US7185006B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 23, 2002 |
| Grant date | Feb 27, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 6, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S707/99934
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system and method for handling a query seeking information about computers of a network, where the query can be optimized in a way which limits the set of computers examined to a set smaller than all known computers. The query is examined to determine a limited list of computers to be accessed that would yield the complete result. If the query can be satisfied using data from a number of computers which is less than all of the computers in the network, then the number of computers which is less than all of the computers in the network is accessed to satisfy the query. In this manner, the data collection process for satisfying the query is generally more efficient than accessing all of the computers in the network.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.