Cognitive Analytics for Real-Time Sentiment-Based Conversation Guidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems fail to dynamically adjust conversations based on real-time sentiment analysis of participants, relying on static user profiles and historical data that may not reflect current sentiments or conversation contexts, limiting their ability to guide conversations effectively.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilizes cognitive analytics to analyze ongoing conversations, updating participant profiles with real-time sentiment data from various sources, and introducing prompts to steer the conversation based on current sentiments and contexts, dynamically enriching user profiles for improved conversation guidance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If static user profiles and historical data are used for conversation guidance, then system complexity is reduced, but conversation effectiveness and relevance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidconversation effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the Dynamics principle by transforming static user profiles into dynamic profiles that are continuously updated with real-time sentiment analysis data. The system monitors conversation flow and participant sentiments live, automatically updating profiles during interactions. This allows the conversation guidance system to adapt to current emotional states and contexts without requiring complex manual intervention, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where sentiment analysis results from ongoing conversations are fed back into user profiles, which then inform subsequent conversation guidance. The system creates a closed-loop where conversation data → sentiment analysis → profile update → guidance adjustment forms a continuous feedback cycle. This automated feedback system improves conversation effectiveness while maintaining system simplicity through algorithmic self-adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If real-time sentiment analysis and dynamic profile updates are implemented, then conversation relevance is improved, but data processing requirements and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconversation adaptabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the Self-service principle by enabling the system to automatically perform sentiment analysis, profile updates, and conversation guidance adjustments without external intervention. The automated pipeline processes conversation data, analyzes sentiments using NLP techniques, updates profiles, and generates guidance prompts autonomously. This self-service capability achieves high adaptability while managing complexity through automation rather than manual processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-processing conversation data and performing sentiment analysis as conversations unfold, preparing updated profiles and guidance prompts in advance of when they are needed. The system proactively monitors sentiment shifts and prepares appropriate responses or guidance adjustments before critical moments arise, improving adaptability while distributing processing load efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of time

If historical data only is used without real-time updates, then data processing time is reduced, but information currency and conversation guidance quality deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata processing timeVSAvoidinformation currency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the Continuity of useful action principle by maintaining continuous sentiment analysis and profile updates throughout the conversation rather than performing batch processing. The system continuously monitors conversation data streams, performs real-time sentiment analysis, and maintains up-to-date profiles throughout the interaction. This continuous processing ensures information currency while managing time through efficient streaming analysis rather than repeated full re-processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS9697198B2Guiding a conversation based on cognitive analytics
Publication Date: 2017.07.04 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION
  • US9697198B2 patent drawing
  • US9697198B2 patent drawing
  • US9697198B2 patent drawing

AI summary

To guide a conversation based on cognitive analytics, data of the conversation up to a time in the conversation is received from a conversation interface while the conversation is continuing. Current data is received from a data source. The current data relates to a remote participant in the conversation and a topic in the conversation. A sentiment value of the remote participant during the conversation is determined from the current data and the conversation data. While the conversation is continuing, data of a prompt is introduced into the conversation. The data of the prompt is configured to cause the conversation to increase the sentiment value of the remote participant. A profile of the remote participant is updated with the sentiment value, to form an updated profile. The updated profile is used as a second data source in a later portion of the conversation.