System and method for deriving a hierarchical event based database having action triggers based on inferred probabilities

• US 7,853,611 B2
• Filed: 04/11/2007
• Issued: 12/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ServiceNow Incorporated
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Hennessy, Richard A., Kraemer, James R., Friedlander, Robert R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Le; Miranda
• Application Number:
  US11/734,098
• Publication Number:
  US 20080208838A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,343 Days
• Field of Search: 707/758, 707/999.107, 707/780, 707/999.006, 706/47, 706/62
• US Class Current: 707/780
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/24565 Triggers; Constraints
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99936 Pattern matching access

Abstract

Inferring a probability of a first inference absent from a database at which a query regarding the inference is received. The query is used as a frame of reference for the search. The database returns a probability of the correctness of the first inference based on the query and on the data. An action trigger is executed responsive to at least one of a) the probability of the first inference exceeding a first pre-selected value, b) a significance of the inference exceeding a second pre-selected value, c) a rate of change in the probability of the first inference exceeding a third pre-selected value, d) an amount of change in the probability of the first inference exceeding a fourth pre-selected value, and e) combinations thereof. At least one of the probability of the first inference and the action trigger is stored in the database.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method for inferring a probability of a first inference, the computer implemented method comprising:

receiving a query at a database regarding a fact, wherein the first inference is absent from the database, wherein the database comprises a plurality of divergent data, wherein the plurality of divergent data includes a plurality of cohort data, wherein each datum of the plurality of divergent data in the database is conformed to dimensions of the database, wherein each datum of the plurality of divergent data has associated metadata and an associated key, wherein the associated metadata comprises data regarding cohorts associated with corresponding datum, data regarding hierarchies associated with corresponding datum, data regarding a corresponding source of each datum, and data regarding probabilities associated with integrity, reliability, and importance of each datum;

establishing the fact as a frame of reference for the query, wherein the frame of reference is established to determine rules for limiting the plurality of divergent data that is searched, and wherein the frame of reference is established to generate associations among cohorts of the plurality of cohort data, wherein the cohorts are a group of associated individuals or objects sharing a common characteristic, and the cohorts are automatically generated using data stored at an atomic level;

applying a first set of rules to the query, wherein the first set of rules are determined for the query according to a second set of rules, wherein the first set of rules determine how the plurality of divergent data are to be compared to the fact, and wherein the first set of rules determine a search space for the query;

executing the query to create the probability of the first inference, wherein the probability of the first inference is determined from comparing the plurality of data divergent according to the first set of rules;

responsive to at least one of a) the probability of the first inference exceeding a first pre-selected value, b) a significance of the first inference exceeding a second pre-selected value, c) a rate of change in the probability of the first inference exceeding a third pre-selected value, d) an amount of change in the probability of the first inference exceeding a fourth pre-selected value, and e) combinations thereof, executing an action trigger; and

storing at least one of the probability of the first inference and the action trigger.

2. The computer implemented method of claim 1 wherein the action trigger comprises a message presented to a user.

3. The computer implemented method of claim 2 wherein the message comprises a request to a user to analyze one of the probability of the first inference and information related to the probability of the first inference.

4. The computer implemented method of claim 2 wherein the message comprises a request to a user to take an action selected from the group consisting of undertaking a particular line of research and investigating a particular fact.

5. The computer implemented method of claim 1 wherein the action trigger relates to at least one of, a security system, an information control system, a biological system, and an environmental factor.

6. The computer implemented method of claim 5 wherein the action trigger is executed based on a parameter associated with the at least one of the security system, the information control system, the biological system, and the environmental factor.

7. The computer implemented method of claim 6 wherein the parameter is selected from the group consisting of:

size, complexity, composition, nature, chain of events, and combinations thereof.