US Patent 8661023 Optimizing search query logic to speed retrieval

Systems and methods are provided for processing a query at a computer system. The method includes building a query tree based on the query and grouping at least some nodes of the query tree into a group of nodes. Grouping is based on an operator node that is a parent of the at least some nodes. The group of nodes retains the functionality of the operator node but the operator node is eliminated by replacing the operator node with the group of nodes in the query tree. The method also includes traversing the query tree to obtain a result list from a search index that is responsive to the query.