Document Redaction System for Protecting Key Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for presenting financial and technical reports for sale online fail to adequately convey the depth of analysis and key findings to potential purchasers without revealing critical information, making it difficult for content providers to entice purchases without giving away valuable data.

Innovation Solution

A system that automatically or semi-automatically analyzes documents to redact key terms, phrases, and data, generating a comprehensive yet partially redacted version for viewing, allowing potential purchasers to selectively purchase or obtain portions of the document, with options to progressively unlock the full un-redacted version.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If predefined sections like title and abstract are provided, then the document structure is clear and easy to access, but the depth of analysis and key findings are not adequately conveyed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of accessing document structureVSAvoidloss of depth of analysis and key findings

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The document is segmented into multiple levels of access: a redacted preview version containing structural information and non-critical content, and a full version containing all analysis and findings. This segmentation allows users to access basic document structure easily while preserving the depth of analysis in the complete version.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A redacted version of the document serves as an intermediary between the user and the full document. This intermediary version provides enough information to understand the document structure and context without revealing the critical key findings, thus maintaining both ease of access and information depth.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If the full document is provided for viewing, then the depth of analysis and key findings are fully conveyed, but critical information is revealed to potential purchasers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveloss of depth of analysis and key findingsVSAvoidrevealing critical information to potential purchasers

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The critical information (key findings, recommendations, and other valuable data) is extracted from the full document and separated into a distinct full version that requires purchase. The redacted preview version contains all non-critical content, allowing users to evaluate the document without accessing the valuable extracted information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Different versions of the document are created with different quality levels: the redacted preview version provides basic structural information and context, while the full version provides complete analysis and findings. This local quality differentiation allows users to access appropriate levels of information based on their needs without revealing critical data to everyone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Object-generated harmful factors

If hand redaction is performed, then critical information can be selectively hidden, but the process is time-intensive, costly, and inconsistent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverevealing critical informationVSAvoidproductivity of redaction process

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The manual mechanical process of hand redaction is replaced with an automated computer-based system. The system automatically identifies and redacts critical information based on predefined criteria and patterns, eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining consistent and reliable redaction across all documents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The redaction process uses parameter-based automation where specific criteria (such as keyword patterns, data types, and document sections) are defined as parameters. The system automatically applies these parameters to identify and redact critical information, transforming the manual process into an automated parameter-driven system that is both efficient and consistent.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10902202B2Method for system for redacting and presenting documents

Publication Date: 2021.01.26 REFINITIV US ORGANIZATION LLC

AI summary

A method and system that automatically or semi-automatically analyze documents and redact key elements of importance to potential purchasers of the documents. Potential purchasers, or others, are presented with versions of the document that more fully reflect the particular information contained in the document but which do not disclose critical key data points that are of most importance to the purchaser. Upon reviewing a redacted version of the subject document, the viewer may elect to purchase or otherwise obtain the original document or report with information un-redacted. Alternatively, viewers are able to selectively purchase, or otherwise obtain, portions of the document in an a la carte fashion. The invention provides a Graphical User Interface (GUI) to effect the selective election of information, such as recommendations, ratings, market share, graphical representations, tables, etc.