Chart Analysis Models for Natural Language Querying

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional chart-grounded question answering systems are inefficient and inaccurate due to their reliance on pixel-level information and hard-coded rules, leading to high response times and decreased accuracy in processing charts for query responses.

Innovation Solution

A natural language processing system that includes an answer model and a description model, trained via a two-phase method, to generate responses to queries based on chart data, using chart specifications to provide visual context and handle language variations, thereby improving efficiency, accuracy, and speed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional models treat charts as images and rely on pixel-level information, then the system can process any chart format, but the response time is high and accuracy is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechart format compatibilityVSAvoidresponse time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the chart processing task into two distinct models: an answer model that processes chart data and specifications to generate answers, and a description model that generates visual descriptions. This segmentation allows each model to specialize in specific aspects of chart understanding, improving processing efficiency while maintaining versatility across different chart formats.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces chart specifications as an intermediary representation that bridges the gap between raw chart data and natural language queries. These specifications serve as a structured intermediate format that enables faster and more accurate processing compared to direct pixel-level analysis, resolving the contradiction between versatility and response time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If conventional models use hard-coded rules, then the system structure is simple, but the accuracy of answers is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem structureVSAvoidanswer accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the system from using fixed hard-coded rules to using learnable parameters through machine learning models. The answer model and description model are trained on chart data and specifications, allowing them to adapt to different chart types and query patterns, significantly improving answer accuracy while maintaining reasonable system complexity through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of information

If the system generates both answer and visual explanation, then the completeness of response is improved, but the processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse completenessVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the response generation process into two specialized models: the answer model that efficiently generates concise answers, and the description model that generates visual explanations. This segmentation allows parallel processing of answer and explanation generation, maintaining response completeness while optimizing processing time through specialized task allocation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary processing by generating chart specifications and extracting key features before answer and explanation generation. This preliminary action prepares the data in an optimized format that accelerates subsequent processing by both models, reducing overall processing time while maintaining complete and accurate responses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20240311403A1Language models for reading charts
Publication Date: 2024.09.19 ADOBE INC
  • US20240311403A1 patent drawing
  • US20240311403A1 patent drawing
  • US20240311403A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Systems and methods for natural language processing are described. Embodiments of the present disclosure obtain a chart and a query via a user interface. An answer model generates an answer to the query based on the chart, wherein the answer model comprises a machine learning model trained based on chart data for the chart. A description model generates a visual description based on the answer and the chart, wherein the description model comprises a machine learning model trained based on a chart specification for the chart. A response component transmits a response to the query based on the answer and the visual description.