The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 01, 1998
Filed:
Dec. 29, 1995
Michael Gene Emerson, Eden Prairie, MN (US);
Kelly Reed Westman, Minneapolis, MN (US);
Sushil Pallai, Bombay, IN;
FDC, Inc., Minneapolis, MN (US);
Abstract
A method and system are provided for direct marketer personnel to enhance query performance. The query is performed on modified relational database data stored as contiguous data fields across all records in the database. The queries are performed using a process called bitmapping. A bitmap is a series of computer words strung together in a one dimensional array. It looks at data as a series of bits rather than a higher level data type such as an integer or floating point value. The system also provides the ability to provide a system that permits data segmentation, ad hoc requests, and systematic research. The system is also capable of producing a suite of reports that are specific to the needs of direct marketers. These include reports on RFM information (recency of last purchase, frequency of purchases, and monetary totals of life to date information. These reports are generated on a regular (usually monthly basis) and are used to drive the direct marketing process.