The Perilog methods and software provide a suite of data-mining tools. Perilog retrieves and organizes data from any sequence of terms that are contextually associated (e.g., text, music, genetic sequences). Perilog data mining includes: (1) keyterm-in-context search; (2) flexible, model-based phrase search; (3) model-based phrase generation; and (4) narrative-based phrase discovery. The methods and software measure the degree of contextual association for large numbers of paired terms to produce models that capture the structures of the sequences of terms. Perilog compares these models to a query model, develops a ranking, and presents the results of the search to the user. It can also extract phrases from the sequences. Perilog was originally designed to support the Aviation Safety Reporting System, which NASA operates for the Federal Aviation Administration. In that application it produced, from a database of tens of thousands of documents, the first quantitative evidence of situational relationships between reported commercial aviation incidents and a specific type of aviation accident. Perilog can be used to mine databases for any type of information.

The Perilog methods and software were created by Michael McGreevy of Ames Research Center. This technology is available for commercial licensing. For further information, access http://ettc.usc.edu/  ames/perilog/homepage.html.

This invention is owned by NASA, and a patent application has been filed. Inquiries concerning nonexclusive or exclusive license for its commercial development should be addressed to the Patent Counsel, Ames Research Center, (650) 604-5104. Refer to ARC-14512/3/4/5.