Technique for context updating and query processing for evaluating qualitative search terms

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that when executed by a computer cause the computer to perform a method for managing a concept-mapping function that facilitates evaluating a qualitative search term applied to an attribute during query processing, the method comprising:

• extracting a numerical value for the attribute from each data item in a set of data items;
• updating the concept-mapping function based on the extracted numerical attribute values,
• wherein the concept-mapping function associates a given numerical value for the attribute with a numerical compatibility index that indicates a compatibility between the given numerical value and the qualitative search term as applied to the attribute,
• wherein the qualitative search term comprises one or more words that is a qualitative measurement of the numerical attribute value;
• wherein updating the concept-mapping function comprises,
• determining boundaries for the concept-mapping function based the extracted numerical attribute values, the boundaries corresponding to a start point and an end point of a range of the extracted numerical attribute values associated with the concept mapping function, and
• within the determined boundaries, using a pre-specified distribution to update the concept-mapping function;
• receiving a query on a set of stored events, the query comprising the qualitative search term;
• for at least a subset of events in the set of stored events:
• applying the concept-mapping function to a numerical attribute value in the event to obtain the numerical compatibility index for the event and qualitative search term, and
• determining whether to include the event in a set of query results based on the numerical compatibility index;
• and
• responding to the query using the set of query results.

A system for managing a concept-mapping function that facilitates evaluating a qualitative search term applied to an attribute during query processing, comprising:

• at least one processor and at least one associated memory;
• and
• an updating mechanism that executes on the at least one processor and during operation:
• extracts a numerical value for the attribute from each data item in a set of data items;
• updates the concept-mapping function based on the extracted numerical attribute values,
• wherein the concept-mapping function associates a given numerical value for the attribute with a numerical compatibility index that indicates a compatibility between the given numerical value and the qualitative search term as applied to the attribute,
• wherein the qualitative search term comprises one or more words that is a qualitative measurement of the numerical attribute value;
• wherein while updating the concept-mapping function, the updating mechanism,
• determines boundaries for the concept-mapping function based the extracted numerical attribute values, the boundaries corresponding to a start point and an end point of a range of the extracted numerical attribute values associated with the concept mapping function, and
• within the determined boundaries, uses a pre-specified distribution to update the concept-mapping function;
• receive a query on a set of stored events, the query comprising the qualitative search term;
• for at least a subset of events in the set of stored events:
• apply the concept-mapping function to a numerical attribute value in the event to obtain the numerical compatibility index for the event and qualitative search term, and
• determine whether to include the event in a set of query results based on the numerical compatibility index;
• and
• respond to the query using the set of query results.