This dataset identifies 160 published records matching vector database system design terms, such as index sharding, similarity search, metadata filtering, consistency models and replication strategy, filed between 2015 and mid-2026. The count reflects a specific search string, so a broader or narrower query on adjacent terms like pure similarity-search algorithms would return a different number. Patent families are the more reliable unit here than raw document counts, since a single invention can generate several continuation or multi-jurisdiction filings that inflate a simple document tally.

The assignee ranking covers 81 companies, with the top-ranked filer holding 32 of the 160 records and the top 5 combined accounting for 45.0% of all records in scope. Beyond the leader, filing volume drops quickly — fifth place holds 6 records and tenth place holds 3 — so most of the ranked list consists of companies with only one or a few filings. That structure means a single leader has built meaningful depth while the rest of the field remains fragmented, which matters if you are assessing competitive risk rather than just market noise.

Yes, based on the complete years available: annual filings rose from 4 in 2021 to 22 in 2024, a roughly 450% increase over that three-year span. The trend continues to rise through 2025, which recorded 47 filings, but 2025 and 2026 figures are still incomplete because publication typically lags filing by about 18 months. Treat 2021–2024 as the reliable growth signal and expect the most recent two years to be revised upward as more applications publish.