Patent ID: 7177861

Claim:
A method of querying a semantic temporal event, said method comprising: retrieving multiple-layer models corresponding to said semantic temporal event; receiving temporal observations that are extracted, from at least one data source, according to said multiple-layer models for the semantic temporal event; detecting one or more occurrences of the semantic temporal event based on said temporal observations and said multiple-layer models by supplying said temporal observations to said multiple-layer models; characterizing said one or more occurrences of the semantic temporal event, detected by said detecting, to produce a characterization; storing said characterization; building indices to said temporal observations based on said characterizing; performing temporal event prediction based on said characterization; revising said multiple-layer models for said semantic temporal event based on said characterization; simulating parts of said semantic temporal event according to said characterization; receiving a query request from a client; retrieving data requested by said client based on said indices; and sending said data to said client.