DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application is being examined under the pre-AIA first to invent provisions.
This Office action is in response to the amendments, arguments and remarks, filed on 10/8/2025, in which claim(s) 1-18, 20 and 21 is/are presented for further examination.
Claim(s) 13 has/have been amended.
Claim(s) 19 has/have been previously cancelled.
Response to Amendment
Applicant’s amendment(s) to claim(s) 13 has/have been accepted. The rejection(s) of claim(s) 13, under 35 U.S.C. 101, as being non-statutory subject matter, has/have been withdrawn. Consequently, the rejection(s) of claim(s) 14-18, which depend(s) from claim(s) 13, has/have also been withdrawn.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim(s) 1-18, 20 and 21, filed on 10/8/2025, have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. Accordingly, this action has been made FINAL.
Applicant argues:
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See the middle of page 11 of applicant’s remarks, filed on 10/8/2025. (Emphasis original).
The examiner respectfully disagrees.
35 U.S.C. 120 (pre‑AIA ) Benefit of earlier filing date in the United States.
[Editor Note: Not applicable to patent applications subject to the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA (see 35 U.S.C. 100 (note) ). See 35 U.S.C. 120 for the law otherwise applicable.]
An application for patent for an invention disclosed in the manner provided by section 112(a) (other than the requirement to disclose the best mode) in an application previously filed in the United States, or as provided by section 363, which is filed by an inventor or inventors named in the previously filed application shall have the same effect, as to such invention, as though filed on the date of the prior application, if filed before the patenting or abandonment of or termination of proceedings on the first application or on an application similarly entitled to the benefit of the filing date of the first application and if it contains or is amended to contain a specific reference to the earlier filed application. No application shall be entitled to the benefit of an earlier filed application under this section unless an amendment containing the specific reference to the earlier filed application is submitted at such time during the pendency of the application as required by the Director. The Director may consider the failure to submit such an amendment within that time period as a waiver of any benefit under this section. The Director may establish procedures, including the payment of a surcharge, to accept an unintentionally delayed submission of an amendment under this section.
35 U.S.C. 121 (pre‑AIA ) Divisional applications.
[Editor Note: Not applicable to any patent application filed on or after September 16, 2012. See 35 U.S.C. 121 for the law otherwise applicable.]
If two or more independent and distinct inventions are claimed in one application, the Director may require the application to be restricted to one of the inventions. If the other invention is made the subject of a divisional application which complies with the requirements of section 120 of this title it shall be entitled to the benefit of the filing date of the original application. A patent issuing on an application with respect to which a requirement for restriction under this section has been made, or on an application filed as a result of such a requirement, shall not be used as a reference either in the Patent and Trademark Office or in the courts against a divisional application or against the original application or any patent issued on either of them, if the divisional application is filed before the issuance of the patent on the other application. If a divisional application is directed solely to subject matter described and claimed in the original application as filed, the Director may dispense with signing and execution by the inventor. The validity of a patent shall not be questioned for failure of the Director to require the application to be restricted to one invention.
Starkey, [0001] recites:
This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/525,953 filed Jun. 18, 2012 for a Database Management System which is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/051,750 filed Mar. 18, 2011 for a Database Management System, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,224,860 granted Jul. 17, 2012 which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/315,351 filed Mar. 18, 2010 for a Database Management System.
Starkey et al., US 2013/0297565 A1 (hereinafter “Starkey”), was filed on 7/2/2013 and makes a claim for domestic priority as a continuation of application 13/525,953, filed on 6/18/2012, which is a division of application, 13/051,750, filed on 3/18/2012, which claims domestic priority to provisional application, 61/315,351, filed on 3/18/2010, see Starkey, [0001] above. Applying 35 U.S.C. 120 & 121 above, Starkey’s effective filing date is 3/18/2010 (i.e., the filing date of provisional application, 61/315,351). The instant application’s effective filing date is 11/29/2012 (i.e., the effective filing date of the parent application, 13/688,767, which the instant application claims domestic priority to as a continuation). Starkey’s effective filing date predates the instant application, and, thus, Starkey is prior art to the instant application.
Applicant’s arguments, see the bottom of page 11 to page 14 of applicant’s remarks, filed on 10/8/2025, with respect to the rejection(s) of claim(s) 1-12, 20 and 21, under 35 U.S.C. 103, and the rejection(s) of claim(s) 13-18, under 35 U.S.C. 102 have been fully considered and are persuasive. The rejection(s) of the claim(s) has/have been withdrawn.
Double Patenting
The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory double patenting rejection is appropriate where the claims at issue are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); and In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on nonstatutory double patenting provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with the examined application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. See MPEP § 717.02 for applications subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA as explained in MPEP § 2159. See MPEP § 2146 et seq. for applications not subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b).
The filing of a terminal disclaimer by itself is not a complete reply to a nonstatutory double patenting (NSDP) rejection. A complete reply requires that the terminal disclaimer be accompanied by a reply requesting reconsideration of the prior Office action. Even where the NSDP rejection is provisional the reply must be complete. See MPEP § 804, subsection I.B.1. For a reply to a non-final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.111(a). For a reply to final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.113(c). A request for reconsideration while not provided for in 37 CFR 1.113(c) may be filed after final for consideration. See MPEP §§ 706.07(e) and 714.13.
The USPTO Internet website contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be used. Please visit www.uspto.gov/patent/patents-forms. The actual filing date of the application in which the form is filed determines what form (e.g., PTO/SB/25, PTO/SB/26, PTO/AIA /25, or PTO/AIA /26) should be used. A web-based eTerminal Disclaimer may be filled out completely online using web-screens. An eTerminal Disclaimer that meets all requirements is auto-processed and approved immediately upon submission. For more information about eTerminal Disclaimers, refer to www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/applying-online/eterminal-disclaimer.
Claim(s) 1-18, 20 and 21 is/are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory obviousness-type double patenting as being unpatentable over claim(s) 1-18 of U.S. Patent No. 10,042,907 in view of Starkey et al, US 2013/0297565 A1 (hereinafter “Starkey”).
‘907 patent and Starkey are analogous art because they are from the same field of endeavor such as processing data.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the date of invention, having the teachings of the ‘907 patent and Starkey before him/her, to modify the parallel processing of the ‘907 patent to include the metadata processing of Starkey because it process queries faster.
The suggestion/motivation for doing so would have been to provide an elastic, scalable, on-demand, distributed data processing system, see Starkey, [0019].
Therefore, it would have been obvious to combine Starkey with the ‘907 patent to obtain the invention as specified in the instant claim(s).
Instant Application
Patent: US 10,042,907
1. A computer-implemented method of processing one or more database queries of data stored in a database that is managed by a database system that includes multiple processing units in multiple database nodes that each include at least one processor configured to process at least a portion of the data stored in a database, wherein at least one of the database nodes includes first and second processing units, and first and second local storages that can be accessed only by the first and second processing units, respectively, and wherein the computer-implemented method comprises:
obtaining one or more metadata database objects pertaining to metadata for data stored in a database configured to be accessed by the database system, wherein the metadata is needed to process the one or more database queries of the data stored in the database, wherein the one or more database queries are received by the database system as input for processing by the database system, wherein the obtained one or more metadata database objects pertaining to the metadata for data stored in the database is provided to at least the first and second processing units of the at least one database node of the database system for processing one or more database queries of the data stored in the database by the database system, wherein the first local storage can be accessed only by the first processing unit, and wherein the second local storage can be accessed only by the second processing unit;
storing a complete copy of the one or more metadata database objects, pertaining to the metadata for the data stored in the database, in each one of the first and second local storages for access only by the first and second processing units, respectively, thereby allowing each one of the first and second processing units to access its own copy of the one or more metadata database objects pertaining to the metadata for the data stored in the database, wherein each one of the first and second local storages also stores or more other metadata database objects pertaining to one or more other database objects, and wherein the storing of the complete copy of the one or more metadata database objects stores it in manner that it can be identified among the other metadata database objects, by searching each of the first and second local storages, wherein the complete copy of the one or more metadata database objects is needed by the database system to process the one or more database queries of the data stored in the database;
*accessing the first local storage, by the first one of the processing units, to obtain its complete copy of the one or more metadata database objects pertaining to the metadata stored in the first local storage, by at least searching the first local storage by the first processing unit to locate the metadata needed for processing of the one or more database queries, by the first one of the processing units, in at least one of the complete copies of the one or more metadata database objects; and
Note: “accessing” must occur in “searching”
*accessing the second local storage, by the second one of the processing units, to obtain its complete copy of the one or more metadata database objects pertaining to the metadata stored in the second local storage, by at least searching the second local storage by the second processing unit to locate the metadata needed for processing of the one or more database queries, by the second one of the processing units, in at least one of the complete copies of the one or more metadata database objects.
2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the storing of the entire copy of the one or more metadata database objects in each one of the first and second local storages for access only the first and second processing units, respectively, also allows each one of the first and second processing units to access its own copy of the one or more metadata database objects without accessing data from an external source being external to the database system.
3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, wherein the external source can be accessed by the database system via a computer network.
4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, wherein the computer network is one of the following: the Internet, a public network, a computer network that is not secured.
5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second local storages includes a local unhashed dictionary repository that can be searched by each one of the multiple database nodes to retrieve the one or more metadata database objects.
6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, wherein the local unhashed dictionary repository is partitioned into multiple portions for storing multiple types of the one or more metadata database objects.
7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the one or more metadata database objects include one or more eXtensible Markup Language (XML) objects or eXtensible Markup Language (XML) data.
8. The computer-implemented method of claim 7, wherein the one or more XML objects include at least one of: one or more eXtensible Markup Language (XML) schema, one or more eXtensible Stylesheet Language Transformation (XSLT) stylesheet, and one or more XQuery modules.
9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the obtaining of the one or more metadata database objects pertaining to metadata associated with the database system comprises:
receiving a database request that includes the one or more metadata database objects, and
storing the one or more metadata database in each of respective local unhashed dictionary repositories of the processing units that can be searched by each one of the processing units to retrieve the one or more metadata database objects in response to a database request requiring the one or more metadata database objects.
10. The computer-implemented method of claim 9, wherein the database request includes a Structured Query Language (SQL) registration request or command that can be input by a user of the database system, and wherein the database request requiring the one or more metadata database objects is a SQL list registered data that can be input by a user of the database system.
12. The computer-implemented method of claim 10, wherein the computer-implemented method further comprises:
determining, at the first processing unit, to access the one or more metadata database objects;
looking up the one or more metadata database objects, by the first processing unit, a first local storage of the local storages designated for access only by the first database node;
thereafter, accessing by the processing unit, the first local storage to retrieve the one or more metadata database objects for processing data associated with the database system.
11. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the database nodes are shared nothing database nodes arranged not to share access to data.
13. An apparatus that includes one or more processers configured to:
obtain one or more metadata database objects, pertaining to metadata for data associated with a database system, to be provided to at least first and second processing units of at least one database node of the database system; and
store a copy of the one or more metadata database objects pertaining to metadata for the data associated with a database system in each one of first and second local storages provided for access only the by first and second processing units, respectively, thereby allowing each one of the first and second processing units to access its own copy of the one or more metadata database objects pertaining to the metadata without sharing its own copy with the other one of the first and second processing units; and
access by each one of the first and second processing units its respective own copy of the one or more metadata database objects pertaining to the metadata without sharing its own copy with the other one of the first and second processing units.
Note: “access[ing]” requires “allow[ing]”
14. Same as 2.
15. Same as 3.
16. Same as 4.
17. Same as 5.
18. Same as 5.
19. Cancelled.
20. Same as 13.
21. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the metadata for the data associated with the database system is data required for the processing of one or more database queries of the database system by the database system, and the computer-implemented method further comprises:
processing by the first processing unit, at least a part of the one or more database queries of the database system at least partly based on the obtained copy of the metadata stored in the first local storage, wherein the second processing unit is not allowed to access the first local storage; and
processing by the second processing units, at least a part of the one or more database queries of the database system, at least partly based on the obtained copy of the metadata stored in the second local storage, wherein the first processing unit is not allowed to access the second local storage.
1. A computer-implemented method of providing data objects to a database system that includes multiple processing units in one or more database nodes that each include at least one processor configured to process at least a portion of data for the database system, wherein at least one of the database nodes includes first and second processing units, and first and second local storages that can be accessed only by the first and second processing units, respectively, and wherein the computer-implemented method comprises:
obtaining one or more data objects, pertaining to metadata describing the organization of data stored in the database system and needed for processing of database queries of the data stored in the database system, to be provided to at least the first and second processing units of the at least one database node of the database system;
storing a copy of the same one or more obtained objects pertaining to the metadata in each one of the first and second local storages for access only by the first and second processing units, respectively, wherein each one of the first and second local storages are partitioned into multiple portions for storing multiple types of database objects pertaining to organization of data stored in the database system, wherein the storing or at least facilitating storage of a copy of the one or more obtained objects stores or at least facilitates storage of the copy of the one or more obtained objects in a respective portion of the first and second local storages corresponding to the type of the one or more obtained objects;
allowing each one of the first and second processing units to access its own copy of the one or more database objects pertaining to the metadata, stored in its respective one of the first and second local storages by searching its own local storage, without sharing its own copy with the other one of the first and second processing units;
allowing each one of the first and second processing units to access its own copy of the one or more database objects pertaining to the metadata, stored in its respective one of the first and second local storages by searching its own local storage, without accessing data from an external source being external to the database system; and
searching, by each one of the multiple database nodes, its own copy of the one or more database objects pertaining to the metadata needed for processing of the database queries of the data stored in the database system, in response to the database queries of the database.
2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the external source can be accessed by the database system via a computer network.
3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, wherein the computer network is one of the following: the Internet, a public network, a computer network that is not secured.
4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second local storages includes a local unhashed dictionary repository that can be searched by each one of the multiple database nodes to retrieve the one or more objects.
5. The computer-implemented method of claim 4, wherein the local unhashed dictionary repository is partitioned into multiple portions for storing multiple types of the one or more database objects.
6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the one or more data objects include one or more eXtensible Markup Language (XML) objects or XML data.
7. The computer-implemented method of claim 6, wherein the one or more XML objects include at least one of: one or more XML schema, one or more eXtensible Stylesheet Language Transformation (XSLT) stylesheet, and one or more XQuery modules.
8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the obtaining of the one or more data objects pertaining to metadata associated with the database system comprises:
receiving a database request that includes the one or more database objects, and
wherein the facilitating of the storage of the copy of the one or more objects in each one of the first and second local storages for access only the first and second processing units comprises:
storing the one or more objects in each of respective local unhashed dictionary repositories of the processing units that can be searched by each one of the processing units to retrieve the one or more objects in response to a database request requiring the one or more database objects.
9. The computer-implemented method of claim 8, wherein the database request includes a Structured Query Language (SQL) registration request or command that can be input by a user of the database system, and wherein the database request requiring the one or more database objects is a SQL list registered data that can be input by a user of the database system.
10. The computer-implemented method of claim 9, wherein the computer-implemented method further comprises:
determining, at the first processing unit, to access the one or more data objects;
looking up the one or more objects, by the first processing unit, a first local storage of the local storages designated for access only by the first database node;
thereafter, accessing by the processing unit, the first local storage to retrieve the one or more data objects for processing data associated with the database system.
11. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the database nodes are shared nothing database nodes arranged not to share access to data.
12. An apparatus that includes one or more processors configured to:
provide data objects to a database system that includes multiple processing units in one or more database nodes that each include at least one processor configured to process at least a portion of data for the database system, wherein at least one of the database nodes includes first and second processing units, and first and second local storages that can be accessed only by the first and second processing units, respectively;
obtain one or more data objects, pertaining to metadata describing the organization of data stored in the database system and needed for processing of database queries of the data stored in the database system, to be provided to at least the first and second processing units of the at least one database node of the database system;
store a copy of the same one or more obtained objects pertaining to the metadata in each one of the first and second local storages for access only by the first and second processing units, respectively, wherein each one of the first and second local storages are partitioned into multiple portions for storing multiple types of database objects pertaining to organization of data stored in the database system, wherein the storing or at least facilitating storage of a copy of the one or more obtained objects stores or at least facilitates storage of the copy of the one or more obtained objects in a respective portion of the first and second local storages corresponding to the type of the one or more obtained objects;
allow each one of the first and second processing units to access its own copy of the one or more database objects pertaining to the metadata, stored in its respective one of the first and second local storages by searching its own local storage, without sharing its own copy with the other one of the first and second processing units;
allow each one of the first and second processing units to access its own copy of the one or more database objects pertaining to the metadata, stored in its respective one of the first and second local storages by searching its own local storage, without accessing data from an external source being external to the database system; and
allow searching, by each one of the multiple database nodes, its own copy of the one or more database objects pertaining to the metadata needed for processing of the database queries of the data stored in the database system, in response to the database queries of the database.
12. Same as 1.
13. Same as 2.
14. Same as 3.
15. Same as 4.
16. Similar to 4.
17. Same as 5.
18. Same as 1.
EXAMINER’S AMENDMENT
An examiner’s amendment to the record appears below. Should the changes and/or additions be unacceptable to applicant, an amendment may be filed as provided by 37 CFR 1.312. To ensure consideration of such an amendment, it MUST be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee.
Authorization for this examiner’s amendment was given by Ramin Mahboubian, Registration No: 44,890 at (858) 705-9265 on 2/4/2026.
Please amend the claims, filed on 10/8/2025, as follows:
1. (Currently Amended) A computer-implemented method of processing one or more database queries of data stored in a database that is managed by a database system that includes multiple processing units in multiple database nodes that each include at least one processor configured to process at least a portion of the data stored in [[a]] the database, wherein at least one of the multiple database nodes includes first and second processing units, and first and second local storages that are accessed only by the first and second processing units, respectively, and wherein the computer-implemented method comprises:
obtaining one or more metadata database objects pertaining to metadata for data stored in [[a]] the database configured to be accessed by the database system, wherein the metadata is needed to process the one or more database queries of the data stored in the database, wherein the one or more database queries are received by the database system as input for processing by the database system, wherein the obtained one or more metadata database objects pertaining to the metadata for the data stored in the database is provided to at least the first and second processing units of the at least one of the database nodes of the database system for processing the one or more database queries of the data stored in the database by the database system, wherein the first local storage is accessed only by the first processing unit, and wherein the second local storage is accessed only by the second processing unit;
storing a complete copy of the one or more metadata database objects, pertaining to the metadata for the data stored in the database, in each one of the first and second local storages for access only by the first and second processing units, respectively, thereby allowing each one of the first and second processing units to access its own copy of the one or more metadata database objects pertaining to the metadata for the data stored in the database, wherein each one of the first and second local storages also stores one or more other metadata database objects pertaining to one or more other database objects, and wherein the storing [[of]] the complete copy of the one or more metadata database objects stores it in a manner that it is identified among the one or more other metadata database objects, by searching each of the first and second local storages, wherein the complete copy of the one or more metadata database objects is needed by the database system to process the one or more database queries of the data stored in the database;
accessing the first local storage, by the first unit, to obtain its complete copy of the one or more metadata database objects pertaining to the metadata stored in the first local storage, by at least searching the first local storage by the first processing unit to locate the metadata needed for processing of the one or more database queries, by the first unit, in at least one of the complete copies of the one or more metadata database objects;
accessing the second local storage, by the second unit, to obtain its complete copy of the one or more metadata database objects pertaining to the metadata stored in the second local storage, by at least searching the second local storage by the second processing unit to locate the metadata needed for processing of the one or more database queries, by the second unit, in at least one of the complete copies of the one or more metadata database objects;
returning results of processing the one or more database queries by the first processing unit using its complete copy of the one or more metadata objects; and
returning results of processing the one or more database queries by the second processing unit using its complete copy of the one or more metadata objects.
2. (Currently Amended) The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the storing [[of]] the complete copy of the one or more metadata database objects in each one of the first and second local storages for access only by the first and second processing units, respectively, also allows each [[one]] of the first and second processing units to access its own copy of the one or more metadata database objects without accessing the metadata from an external source being external to the database system.
4. (Currently Amended) The computer-implemented method of claim 3, wherein the computer network is one of the following: the Internet, a public network, and a computer network that is not secured.
7. (Currently Amended) The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the one or more metadata database objects include one or more eXtensible Markup Language (XML) objects or
8. (Currently Amended) The computer-implemented method of claim 7, wherein the one or more XML objects include at least one of: one or more
9. (Currently Amended) The computer-implemented method of claim 1,
wherein the obtaining [[of]] the one or more metadata database objects pertaining to the metadata associated with the database system comprises:
receiving a database request that includes the one or more metadata database objects, and
storing the one or more metadata database objects in each of respective local unhashed dictionary repositories of the multiple processing units that can be searched by each one of the multiple processing units to retrieve the one or more metadata database objects in response to a database request requiring the one or more metadata database objects.
10. (Currently Amended) The computer-implemented method of claim 9, wherein the database request includes a Structured Query Language (SQL) registration request or command that can be input by a user of the database system, and wherein the database request requiring the one or more metadata database objects is a SQL list registered data that can be input by [[a]] the user of the database system.
11. (Currently Amended) The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the multiple database nodes are shared nothing database nodes arranged not to share access to the data.
12. (Currently Amended) The computer-implemented method of claim 10, wherein the computer-implemented method further comprises:
determining, at the first processing unit, to access the one or more metadata database objects;
looking up the one or more metadata database objects, by the first processing unit, [[a]] the first local storage of the first and second local storages designated for access only by [[the]] a first database node;
thereafter, accessing by the first processing unit, the first local storage to retrieve the one or more metadata database objects for processing the data associated with the database system.
13. (Currently Amended) An apparatus that includes one or more physical processers configured to:
obtain one or more metadata database objects, pertaining to metadata for data associated with a database system, to be provided to at least first and second processing units of at least one database node of the database system; [[and]]
store a copy of the one or more metadata database objects pertaining to the metadata for the data associated with [[a]] the database system in each one of first and second local storages provided for access only [[the]] by the first and second processing units, respectively, thereby allowing each one of the first and second processing units to access its own copy of the one or more metadata database objects pertaining to the metadata without sharing its own copy with the other one of the first and second processing units;[[ and]]
access by each one of the first and second processing units its respective own copy of the one or more metadata database objects pertaining to the metadata without sharing its own copy with the other one of the first and second processing units;
returning results of processing one or more database queries by the first processing unit using its own copy of the one or more metadata objects; and
returning results of processing the one or more database queries by the second processing unit using its own copy of the one or more metadata objects.
14. (Currently Amended) The apparatus of claim 13, wherein [[the]] facilitating of [[the]] storage of the copy of the one or more metadata database objects in each one of the first and second local storages for access only by the first and second processing units, respectively, also allows each one of the first and second processing units to access its own copy of the one or more metadata database objects without accessing data from an external source being external to the database system.
16. (Currently Amended) The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the computer network is one of the following: the Internet, a public network, and a computer network that is not secured.
17. (Currently Amended) The apparatus of claim 16, wherein at least one of the first and second local storages includes a local unhashed dictionary repository that can be searched by each one of [[the]] multiple database nodes to retrieve the one or more metadata database objects.
18. (Currently Amended) The apparatus of claim 13, wherein at least one of the first and second local storages includes a local unhashed dictionary repository that can be searched by each one of [[the]] multiple database nodes to retrieve the one or more metadata database objects.
20. (Currently Amended) A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing at least computer executable code configured to provide one or more metadata database objects to a database system that includes multiple processing units in one or more database nodes that each include at least one processor configured to process at least a portion of data for the database system, wherein at least one of the one or more database nodes includes first and second processing units, and first and second local storages that can be accessed only by the first and second processing units, respectively, and wherein the executable code includes:
executable code configured to obtain the one or more metadata database objects, pertaining to metadata for data associated with the database system, to be provided to of the one or more database nodes of the database system;
executable code configured to store, a copy of the one or more metadata database objects pertaining to the metadata for the data associated with [[a]] the database system, in each one of the first and second local storages for access only by the first and second processing units, respectively, thereby allowing each one of the first and second processing units to access its own copy of the one or more metadata database objects pertaining to the metadata without sharing its own copy with the other one of the first and second processing units; [[and]]
executable code configured to access by each one of the first and second processing units its respective own copy of the one or more database objects pertaining to the metadata without sharing its own copy with the other one of the first and second processing units;
returning results of processing one or more database queries by the first processing unit using its own copy of the one or more metadata objects; and
returning results of processing the one or more database queries by the second processing unit using its own copy of the one or more metadata objects.
21. (Currently Amended) The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the metadata for the data associated with the database system is data required for the processing of the one or more database queries of the database system by the database system, and the computer-implemented method further comprises:
processing, by the first processing unit, at least a part of the one or more database queries of the database system at least partly based on the obtained [[copy]] one or more metadata database objects pertaining to [[of]] the metadata stored in the first local storage, wherein the second processing unit is not allowed to access the first local storage; and
processing, by the second processing units, at least a part of the one or more database queries of the database system, at least partly based on the obtained [[copy]] one or more metadata database objects pertaining to [[of]] the metadata stored in the second local storage, wherein the first processing unit is not allowed to access the second local storage.
Allowable Subject Matter
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter:
The prior art of record does not teach the limitations of claim 1. An updated search did not reveal any prior art that would anticipate or render obvious the invention as presented in the claim. Specifically, the prior art does not teach:
“processing one or more database queries of data stored in a database that includes multiple processing units in multiple database nodes that each process at least a portion of the data stored in the database, wherein at least one of the multiple database nodes includes first and second processing units, and first and second local storages that are accessed only by the first and second processing units, respectively, and wherein the computer-implemented method comprises:
obtaining one or more metadata database objects pertaining to metadata for data stored in the database, wherein the metadata is needed to process the one or more database queries of the data stored in the database, wherein the obtained one or more metadata database objects pertaining to the metadata for the data stored in the database is provided to at least the first and second processing units of the at least one of the database nodes of the database system for processing the one or more database queries of the data stored in the database, wherein the first local storage is accessed only by the first processing unit, and wherein the second local storage is accessed only by the second processing unit;
storing a complete copy of the one or more metadata database objects, pertaining to the metadata for the data stored in the database, in each one of the first and second local storages for access only by the first and second processing units, respectively, thereby allowing each one of the first and second processing units to access its own copy of the one or more metadata database objects pertaining to the metadata for the data stored in the database, wherein each one of the first and second local storages also stores one or more other metadata database objects pertaining to one or more other database objects, and wherein the storing the complete copy of the one or more metadata database objects stores it in a manner that it is identified among the one or more other metadata database objects, by searching each of the first and second local storages, wherein the complete copy of the one or more metadata database objects is needed by the database system to process the one or more database queries of the data stored in the database;
accessing the first local storage, by the first processing unit, to obtain its complete copy of the one or more metadata database objects pertaining to the metadata stored in the first local storage, by at least searching the first local storage by the first processing unit to locate the metadata needed for processing of the one or more database queries, by the first processing unit, in at least one of the complete copies of the one or more metadata database objects;
accessing the second local storage, by the second processing unit, to obtain its complete copy of the one or more metadata database objects pertaining to the metadata stored in the second local storage, by at least searching the second local storage by the second processing unit to locate the metadata needed for processing of the one or more database queries, by the second processing unit, in at least one of the complete copies of the one or more metadata database objects;
returning results of processing the one or more database queries by the first processing unit using its complete copy of the one or more metadata objects; and
returning results of processing the one or more database queries by the second processing unit using its complete copy of the one or more metadata objects.”
Claim(s) 13 and 20 recite(s) features similar to those of claim 1 and is/are allowed for at least the same reasons.
The dependent claim(s), which depend directly or indirectly upon claim(s) 1, 13 and 20, is/are also distinct from the prior art for at least the same reasons.
After further review of the results of the searches conducted and the claims most currently amended, the examiner is persuaded that the prior art does not teach the above described and highlighted major features in independent claim(s) 1, 13 and 20 and other recited features.
An updated search for prior art was conducted. The prior art searched and examined do not fairly teach or suggest the limitations of the claimed subject matter.
The prior art of record neither anticipates nor renders obvious the recited combination.
Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee. Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”
Prior Art
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Starkey, US 2011/0231447 for a plurality of nodes, generating an atom, where each atom contains a fragment of data/metadata whereby the set of all atoms collectively define all of the data/metadata in the database and replicating that atom for transfer to every other node in the system, but does not disclose obtaining metadata database objects pertaining to metadata for data stored in the database, storing a complete copy of the metadata database objects in each one of first and second local storages for access only by first and second processing units, respectively, returning results of processing database queries by the first processing unit using its complete copy of the metadata objects and returning results of processing database queries by the second processing unit using its complete copy of the metadata objects described and highlighted in independent claim 1.
Frank et al., US 2012/0124282 for redundant nodes having a complete copy of the system’s metadata and a complete copy of stored data, but does not disclose obtaining metadata database objects pertaining to metadata for data stored in the database, storing a complete copy of the metadata database objects in each one of first and second local storages for access only by first and second processing units, respectively, returning results of processing database queries by the first processing unit using its complete copy of the metadata objects and returning results of processing database queries by the second processing unit using its complete copy of the metadata objects described and highlighted in independent claim 1.
Nixon et al., JP 2011108287 for multiple databases distributed at a plurality of locations, where each database stores a subset of the configuration data and when the database server detects changes to an item within the database, it sends notifications of changes made to the item to each subscriber of the item, but does not disclose obtaining metadata database objects pertaining to metadata for data stored in the database, storing a complete copy of the metadata database objects in each one of first and second local storages for access only by first and second processing units, respectively, returning results of processing database queries by the first processing unit using its complete copy of the metadata objects and returning results of processing database queries by the second processing unit using its complete copy of the metadata objects described and highlighted in independent claim 1.
Conclusion
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
Point of Contact
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to HUBERT G CHEUNG whose telephone number is (571) 270-1396. The examiner can normally be reached M-R 8:00A-5:00P EST; alt. F 8:00A-4:00P EST.
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HUBERT G. CHEUNG
Assistant Examiner
Art Unit 2152
Examiner: Hubert Cheung
/Hubert Cheung/Assistant Examiner, Art Unit 2152Date: February 5, 2026
/NEVEEN ABEL JALIL/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2152