Late-Binding Schema for Real-Time Anomaly Detection in Data Intake Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data systems struggle to efficiently search and analyze large volumes of raw machine data due to the lack of user-friendly tools for visually identifying data subsets of interest, particularly in big data ecosystems with diverse data types, leading to challenges in managing, understanding, and utilizing the data effectively.

Innovation Solution

A data intake and query system that utilizes a late-binding schema to process and store raw machine data, enabling flexible schema development and real-time analysis, with components like indexing and query systems for efficient data retrieval and visualization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If massive quantities of raw data are stored for later retrieval and analysis, then data flexibility and analysis capability are improved, but data management complexity and search difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata flexibilityVSAvoiddata management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the massive raw data into discrete events with specific fields and types. Each event is structured with identifiable components (timestamp, host, source, event type, etc.), making the data manageable through systematic categorization while preserving flexibility for various analysis needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer that transforms raw data into structured events during ingestion. This intermediary step creates a standardized representation that simplifies subsequent search and analysis operations while maintaining the ability to handle diverse data sources and formats.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If pre-processing is applied to extract specified data items, then retrieval efficiency is improved, but data loss and analysis flexibility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveretrieval efficiencyVSAvoiddata loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions during data ingestion by structuring and indexing data with a late-binding schema. This preliminary organization enables efficient retrieval through field-based searches while preserving all original data for later analysis, avoiding the need to discard information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a dynamic late-binding schema that adapts to different query requirements. The schema binds field names and types at query time rather than at data ingestion time, allowing the system to efficiently retrieve data in various formats while maintaining complete data preservation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Quantity of substance

If diverse data types from multiple sources are collected, then data comprehensiveness and insight potential are improved, but search and analysis difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata comprehensivenessVSAvoidsearch difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal event structure that can represent diverse data types from multiple sources through a common schema. This multi-functional framework handles different event types, sources, and formats uniformly, enabling comprehensive data collection while simplifying search operations through consistent field-based access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of operation

If user-friendly visualization tools are implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but system complexity and processing overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates simplified copies or representations of the complex data through structured events with standardized fields. This copying approach enables user-friendly visualization by presenting data in an accessible format while maintaining the complete original data for detailed analysis when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS20250110777A1Swappable online artificial intelligence algorithms implemented in a data intake and query system
Publication Date: 2025.04.03 SPLUNK INC
  • US20250110777A1 patent drawing
  • US20250110777A1 patent drawing
  • US20250110777A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Systems and methods are described for processing ingested data, detecting anomalies in the ingested data, and providing explanations of a possible cause of the detected anomalies as the data is being ingested. For example, a token or field in the ingested data may have an anomalous value. Tokens or fields from another portion of the ingested data can be extracted and analyzed to determine whether there is any correlation between the values of the extracted tokens or fields and the anomalous token or field having an anomalous value. If a correlation is detected, this information can be surfaced to a user.