A robust multi-attribute search structure

A multiattribute index structure called the hB-tree is introduced. The hB-tree internode search and growth processes are precisely analogous to the corresponding processes in B-trees. The intranode processes are unique. A k-d tree is used as the structure within nodes for very efficient searching. Node splitting requires that this k-d tree be split. This produces nodes which do not represent brick-like regions in k-space but that can be characterized as holey bricks, i.e. bricks in which subregions have been extracted. Results are presented that guarantee hB-tree users decent storage utilization, reasonable-size index terms, and good search and insert performance regardless of key distribution