Data Standardization Using Self-Generated Reference Terms

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Automated data standardization is challenging due to the lack of available reference data and the high overhead in preparing such data, especially for large datasets, as existing methods struggle to accurately handle inconsistencies like abbreviations and misspellings without relying on external references.

Innovation Solution

The techniques involve determining standard representation terms within the data itself, either by clustering similar terms or using a combination of the data and external reference data, to identify approximate matches and select standard representation terms based on frequency and similarity, potentially with user input for accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If automated data standardization is performed using reference data, then standardization accuracy is improved, but the overhead in preparing reference data increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestandardization accuracyVSAvoidreference data preparation overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically generating standard representation terms from the input data itself through clustering similar terms, eliminating the need for external reference data preparation while maintaining standardization accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary clustering and analysis of the input data to identify standard representation terms before the actual standardization process, reducing the need for extensive reference data preparation later

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If manual data standardization is performed, then standardization accuracy is improved, but scalability deteriorates for large datasets

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestandardization accuracyVSAvoidscalability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual mechanical standardization processes with automated computational clustering algorithms that analyze term similarities and frequencies to identify standard representations, achieving both accuracy and scalability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates standardized representations by copying and generalizing patterns from the input data itself, using clustered term patterns as templates for standardization without requiring manual creation of reference data

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Measurement precision

If external reference data is used for standardization, then standardization accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestandardization accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts standard representation patterns directly from the input data by clustering similar terms and identifying frequent patterns, eliminating the need for external reference data and reducing system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The clustering-based approach serves multiple functions: it identifies standard representations, groups variant terms, and adapts to different data types without requiring separate reference data for each type, reducing overall system complexity

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

Data Source

PatentUS10885056B2Data standardization techniques
Publication Date: 2021.01.05 ORACLE INT CORP
  • US10885056B2 patent drawing
  • US10885056B2 patent drawing
  • US10885056B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Techniques are disclosed for standardization of data. According to a first technique, standard representation terms are determined for to-be-standardized data using the to-be-standardized data itself and without using any external reference data. According to a second technique, a combination of the to-be-standardized data and an external reference is used to determine standard representation terms for the to-be-standardized data.