Abstract: Linear optimization queries, which usually arise in various decision support and resource planning applications, are queries that retrieve top N data records (where N is an integer greater than zero) which satisfy a specific optimization criterion. The optimization criterion is to either maximize or minimize a linear equation. The coefficients of the linear equation are given at query time. Methods and apparatus are disclosed for constructing, maintaining and utilizing a multidimensional indexing structure of database records to improve the execution speed of linear optimization queries. Database records with numerical attributes are organized into a number of layers and each layer represents a geometric structure called convex hull. Such linear optimization queries are processed by searching from the outer-most layer of this multi-layer indexing structure inwards.

Abstract: Linear optimization queries, which usually arise in various decision support and resource planning applications, are queries that retrieve top N data records (where N is an integer greater than zero) which satisfy a specific optimization criterion. The optimization criterion is to either maximize or minimize a linear equation. The coefficients of the linear equation are given at query time. Methods and apparatus are disclosed for constructing, maintaining and utilizing a multidimensional indexing structure of database records to improve the execution speed of linear optimization queries. Database records with numerical attributes are organized into a number of layers and each layer represents a geometric structure called convex hull. Such linear optimization queries are processed by searching from the outer-most layer of this multi-layer indexing structure inwards.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for representing and retrieving multi-dimensional data such as large satellite images. Images are stored in forms that allow them to be rapidly browsed and retrieved by remote client applications in a drill-down fashion. The data can be represented and retrieved using a view element data structure that includes node elements and transition elements between nodes. The data is decomposed (in space or spatial-frequency to construct a tree-based or graph-based data structure) into view elements. A set of view elements is selected, compressed and stored without adversely impacting image view extraction or generation speed. View elements are placed into the node elements of the data structure and the transition elements indicate the processing to generate other view elements in the data structure. In a server-side view construction, the view elements are selectively retrieved from storage, decompressed, and processed to generate the views of the data.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for representing and retrieving multi-dimensional data such as large satellite images. Images are stored in forms that can be rapidly browsed and retrieved by remote client applications in a drill-down or roll-up fashion. The data can be represented and retrieved using a view element data structure that includes node elements and transition elements between nodes. The data is decomposed (in space or spatial-frequency to construct a tree-based or graph-based data structure) into view elements. A set of view elements is selected, compressed and stored without adversely impacting image view extraction or generation speed. View elements are placed into the node elements of the data structure and the transition elements indicate the processing to generate other view elements in the data structure. In a server-side view construction, the view elements are selectively retrieved from storage, decompressed, and processed to generate the views of the data.