Patents by Inventor Rafi Ahmed

Rafi Ahmed has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20090292669
    Abstract: Methods for transforming a query to remove redundant subqueries in HAVING clauses are provided. The methods provided transform queries that contain subqueries in HAVING clauses with tables and join conditions and filter conditions equal to tables, join conditions and filter conditions in outer query to queries that eliminate the original subquery and retain the original outer query with a single inline view using window functions. Whether this transformation can be performed depends on which tables and join and filter conditions are in the outer query and the subquery. The transformation eliminates duplicative table accesses and join operations from queries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicant: ORACLE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rafi Ahmed, Srikanth Bellamkonda
  • Patent number: 7617189
    Abstract: Various techniques are described for processing database commands that include MINUS and/or INTERSECT operators. According to one technique, the database server executes the MINUS/INTERSECT in a specialized rowsource in parallel. In one approach, the specialized rowsource implements a sort merge-join like solution, where: a DISTINCT SORT is performed on each input, a left and right pointer is maintained on the respective input streams of tuples, the left or right pointer is incremented based on whether there is a match between the tuples pointed-to by the pointers, and the tuple of the left side is returned (or not returned) based on whether there is a match. Techniques are described for generating multiple query plans for executing a query, where each of the query plans includes a plan portion for executing, in parallel, the operation associated with a MINUS/INTERSECT operator. Cost estimates are generated for the query plans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventors: Bhaskar Ghosh, Rafi Ahmed, Hermann Baer
  • Publication number: 20090112793
    Abstract: Methods for transforming a query to simulate a bushy tree execution plan for queries containing joins in series are provided. Left deep tree execution plans are supported by most relational database systems but are inefficient at processing queries directed to databases with snowstorm schema. A snowstorm schema contains several large fact tables and many smaller dimension tables, which make reference to one another. Bushy tree execution plans can be much more efficient for processing queries to snowstorm schema. The decision to choose between left-deep and bushy tree execution plans are based on the relative costs of the two execution plans. The methods provided transform queries which are otherwise executed with left deep tree execution plans into queries which are executed with simulated bushy tree execution plans.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventor: Rafi Ahmed
  • Publication number: 20090087403
    Abstract: This invention provides methods of inducing an antiviral response in an individual comprising administering to the individual an effective amount of a LT-B blocking agent and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In particular this invention provides methods for treating viral-induced systemic shock and respiratory distress.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: Jeffrey BROWNING, Maryann PUGLIELLI, Rafi AHMED
  • Publication number: 20090070315
    Abstract: Methods for transforming a query to remove redundant tables and eliminate superfluous join operations is provided. The methods provided transform queries to remove redundant tables and anti-joins, semi-joins, and outer-joins. Whether a table is redundant is determined based on a set of criteria which, if fulfilled, indicates that the removal of the table and the anti-join, semi-join, or outer-join operation does not impact query results. The removal of a redundant table from a query also results in the elimination of the anti-join, semi-join, or outer-join operation that references the removed table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: ORACLE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rafi Ahmed, Thierry Cruanes, Sridhar Sarnobat
  • Publication number: 20090055349
    Abstract: Techniques for optimizing queries are provided. In one technique, a query optimizer determines that two tables involved in equi-joins with one other table return unique rows. The query optimizer further determines that the rows returned by one of the tables is a subset of the rows returned by the other table. The query optimizer then determines that one of the two tables involved in the equi-joins can be eliminated. In another technique, a query optimizer determines that group-by placement may be used on a query that specifies a table. The query optimizer further determines that a view that (1) replaces the table and (2) results from the group-by placement is a subset of an existing view. The query optimizer further determines that each view is unique. The query optimizer selects an execution plan that does not join any tables or views with the resulting view or with the specified table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: ORACLE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Rafi Ahmed
  • Patent number: 7452530
    Abstract: This invention provides methods of inducing an antiviral response in an individual comprising administering to the individual an effective amount of a LT-B blocking agent and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In particular this invention provides methods for treating viral-induced systemic shock and respiratory distress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignees: Biogen Idec MA Inc., Emory University
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Browning, Maryann Puglielli, Rafi Ahmed
  • Publication number: 20070219951
    Abstract: Join predicate push down transformations push down a join predicate of an outer query into a view. Among the types of views for which join predicate push down is performed are a view with a GROUP BY or DISTINCT operator, an anti-joined or semi-joined view, and a view that contains one or more nested views. During optimization, join predicate push down may be used to generate many transformed queries for comparison. The number of query transformations performed for comparison is managed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Applicant: ORACLE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rafi Ahmed, Allison Lee, Dinesh Das
  • Publication number: 20070219952
    Abstract: Unnesting using anti-join of NOT IN/ALL subquery uses null-aware anti-join operation, resulting in a rewritten query that, when computed, produces results consistent with the NULL semantics of NOT IN/ALL subquery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Applicant: ORACLE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rafi Ahmed, Angela Amor
  • Publication number: 20070219977
    Abstract: Under a type of query transformation referred to herein as join factorization, the branches of an UNION/UNION ALL query that join a common table are combined to reduce accesses to the common table. The transformation can be expressed as (T1 join T2) union all (T1 join T3)=T1 join (T2 union all T3), where T1, T2 and T3 are three tables. A given query may be rewritten in many alternate ways using join factorization. Evaluating each alternative can be expensive. Therefore, the alternatives are generated and evaluated in a way that minimizes the cost of evaluating the alternatives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Applicant: ORACLE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hong Su, Rafi Ahmed, Allison Lee, Mohamed Zait
  • Publication number: 20070219969
    Abstract: Under a type of query transformation referred to herein as join factorization, the branches of an UNION/UNION ALL query that join a common table are combined to reduce accesses to the common table. The transformation can be expressed as (T1 join T2) union all (T1 join T3)=T1 join (T2 union all T3), where T1, T2 and T3 are three tables. A given query may be rewritten in many alternate ways using join factorization. Evaluating each alternative can be expensive. Therefore, the alternatives are generated and evaluated in a way that minimizes the cost of evaluating the alternatives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Applicant: ORACLE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hong Su, Rafi Ahmed, Allison Lee, Mohamed Zait, Thierry Cruanes
  • Publication number: 20070179947
    Abstract: During query optimization, when a particular type of transformation is considered, the effect of performing one or more subsequent kinds of transformations is also considered in conjunction with the first. When applying a transformation, which forecloses applying another, both are considered independently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Inventors: Rafi Ahmed, Allison Lee
  • Patent number: 7246108
    Abstract: Techniques for reusing optimized query blocks in query processing are provided. The techniques include checking a data structure to determine whether a previously-generated query block information record corresponding to an already-processed first inner query block exists in the data structure, where the already-processed first inner query block corresponds to the first inner query block in a first state in an already-processed form. If the previously-generated query block information record exists in the data structure, then query block information is established for the first inner query block in the first state based on the previously-generated query block information record. Then a cost is determined for a semantically equivalent query that includes the first inner query block in the first state based on the query block information for the first inner query block in the first state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventor: Rafi Ahmed
  • Patent number: 7233944
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for determining query cost for a query that include an outer query and at least a first subquery. The techniques include determining a filtering factor for the first subquery based on a first cardinality and a second cardinality. The first cardinality is determined based on a first set of query blocks in the query. The second cardinality is determined based on a second set of query blocks. The first set of query blocks includes the outer query and zero or more subqueries from the query and does not include the first subquery. The second set of query blocks includes all the query blocks in the first set of query blocks and, in addition, the first subquery. The techniques also include determining a cost for the query based, at least, on the filtering factor for the first subquery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventor: Rafi Ahmed
  • Publication number: 20070122378
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for the treatment, prevention, or reduction of persistent infections, such as chronic infections, latent infections, and slow infections and cancer. The methods and compositions of the invention are also useful for the alleviation of one or more symptoms associated with such infections and cancer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Publication date: May 31, 2007
    Inventors: Gordon Freeman, Arlene Sharpe, David Dorfman, Rafi Ahmed, Daniel Barber, E. Wherry
  • Publication number: 20070078812
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for delaying evaluation of expensive expressions in a query. Expensive expressions in the query are established by cost information or by looking up a list of known expensive expressions for a match. After an execution plan is determined by using the early evaluation technique, one or more equivalent execution plans is established. The one or more equivalent execution plans may include both a type of execution plans that delay evaluation of expensive expressions and a type of execution plans that do not. In addition, the one or more equivalent execution plans may include both parallelized and non-parallelized alternatives to the execution plan identified by the early evaluation technique. Finally, based on a set of criteria, which may include comparing cost information among all the equivalent execution plans generated thus far, the best execution plan is chosen for the query.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Publication date: April 5, 2007
    Applicant: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventors: Allison Waingold, Rafi Ahmed, Bhaskar Ghosh, Dinesh Das, Mohamed Zait
  • Publication number: 20070073642
    Abstract: Various techniques are described for processing database commands that include MINUS and/or INTERSECT operators. According to one technique, the database server executes the MINUS/INTERSECT in a specialized rowsource in parallel. In one approach, the specialized rowsource implements a sort merge-join like solution, where: a DISTINCT SORT is performed on each input, a left and right pointer is maintained on the respective input streams of tuples, the left or right pointer is incremented based on whether there is a match between the tuples pointed-to by the pointers, and the tuple of the left side is returned (or not returned) based on whether there is a match. Techniques are described for generating multiple query plans for executing a query, where each of the query plans includes a plan portion for executing, in parallel, the operation associated with a MINUS/INTERSECT operator. Cost estimates are generated for the query plans.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventors: Bhaskar Ghosh, Rafi Ahmed, Hermann Baer
  • Publication number: 20070073643
    Abstract: Various techniques are described for processing database commands that include MINUS and/or INTERSECT operators. The queries containing the MINUS and/or INTERSECT operators are transformed to create a plurality of transformed queries. Each of the transformed queries produces the same result as the original query, but does not include the MINUS and/or INTERSECT operator. To achieve the same result set as the original query, the transformed queries employ equijoins, antijoins, and/or semijoins, and duplicate elimination operations. Costs are estimated for each of the various transformed queries. Based on the cost estimates, one of the transformed queries is selected as the query that is to be executed to perform the operations specified in the original query.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventors: Bhaskar Ghosh, Rafi Ahmed, Hermann Baer
  • Patent number: 7167852
    Abstract: Statements having non-commutative connection conditions are optimized by replacing the non-commutative connection conditions with equivalent expressions that allow for consideration of additional connection orders that would otherwise violate the ordering rules of the non-commutative connection condition. Elements on the right-hand side of a non-commutative connection condition are converted into distinct results elements, thereby allowing the elements to be used on the left-hand side of a commutative connection operator, while preserving accuracy of the statement results set. This increased set of connection orders is evaluated and the execution plan for the optimal connection order is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventors: Rafi Ahmed, Hakan Jakobsson
  • Publication number: 20060041537
    Abstract: Iterative, linear, and exhaustive candidate selection techniques are described. In the techniques described herein, a set of semantically equivalent queries (also called a set of candidate queries) is determined for an incoming query based on a particular candidate selection technique. A choice is then made among the candidate queries, usually based on a cost measure, as to which query to execute or store for later execution. In one embodiment, there are multiple, available candidate selection techniques and before the set of candidate queries is determined, a choice of candidate selection techniques is made from among the available candidate selection techniques. The choice of candidate selection techniques may be made based on a configuration file or user input or based on some aspect of the query, the user, or the database on which the query will run.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2004
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Applicant: ORACLE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Rafi Ahmed