Google patents system to clean up database indexes without stopping reads
Google describes a method for maintaining large data indexes by using different types of locks to manage access. The system uses a shared lock to allow reading while checking if maintenance is needed, then switches to a cleanup lock to perform the work once all readers are done.
In the filing’s own words
A computing system may apply a shared lock to a partition included in an index. The shared lock may allow concurrent read operations on the partition and may prevent concurrent write operations on the partition. While applying the shared lock, the computing system may determine, based on metadata, whether to apply a maintenance operation to the partition. Responsive to determining to apply the maintenance operation to the partition, the computing system may release the shared lock. The computing system may monitor a pin count for the partition to determine when all concurrent read operations on the partition are finished, and may apply a cleanup lock in response to determining all concurrent read operations are finished. While applying a cleanup lock to the partition, the computing system may apply the maintenance operation to the partition. The cleanup lock may prevent concurrent read operations and concurrent write operations on the partition.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A method comprising: while applying a shared lock to a first partition from a plurality of partitions included in an index, determining, by a computing system, and based on metadata, whether to apply a maintenance operation to the first partition; and responsive to determining to apply the maintenance operation to the first partition: releasing, by the computing system, the shared lock; and while applying a cleanup lock to the first partition, applying, by the computing system, the maintenance operation to the first partition, wherein the cleanup lock prevents concurrent read operations on the first partition and prevents concurrent write operations on the first partition.
Facts
- Company
- Google (Google LLC)
- Official title
- AUTO-MAINTENANCE OF VECTOR INDEXES
- Publication number
- US20260310650A1
- Application number
- 19640207
- Filed
- Apr 6, 2026
- Published
- Oct 8, 2026
- Inventors
- 4
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
G06F 16/2343 Physics & computingG06F 16/2272 Physics & computingG06F 16/2237 Physics & computingMore from Google in AI & software
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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.