Entity Resolution Across Heterogeneous Databases

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Solution Overview

Problem

Databases maintained by different entities often store similar information in different formats, making it difficult to accurately identify relationships between entities, particularly non-obvious connections, which is a challenge in the real estate domain where manual labor is extensively used to find potential buyers or sellers.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for resolving entities between databases by applying resolution rules that require matching multiple features between instances, enabling the identification of second-degree connections by linking entities through first-degree connections in multiple databases, thereby facilitating transactions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If databases maintained by different entities store information in different formats, then each database can maintain its own data structure and formatting standards, but it becomes difficult to accurately identify relationships between entities across databases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedatabase format independenceVSAvoidentity relationship identification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms entity data from different database formats into a unified standardized format by applying resolution rules that match multiple features (name, address, phone number, email, etc.). This parameter transformation enables accurate entity identification across databases while preserving each database's original format independence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary entity resolution system that acts as a mediator between databases with different formats. This system uses resolution rules to compare and match entities across databases, enabling relationship identification without requiring the source databases to change their internal formats.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If manual labor is used to find connections between entities in real estate transactions, then flexibility and subjective judgment can be applied, but the process becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in entity matchingVSAvoidtime to identify entity connections

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements an automated entity resolution system that performs self-service by automatically comparing entities across databases using resolution rules. The system independently identifies matches based on multiple features without requiring manual intervention, thereby reducing time loss while maintaining matching quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical manual process of entity matching with an automated computational system. The resolution rules algorithmically compare entities across databases, substituting human manual labor with machine-based automated processing that maintains flexibility through configurable matching criteria.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If multiple features are matched between entity instances, then the accuracy of entity resolution improves, but the complexity of the resolution process increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveentity resolution accuracyVSAvoidresolution rule complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the entity resolution process into distinct comparable features (name, address, phone number, email, etc.). Each feature is evaluated independently through resolution rules, and the combined results determine entity matching. This segmentation manages complexity by breaking down the multi-feature comparison into manageable discrete elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Productivity

If non-obvious connections between entities are detected, then the ability to promote real estate deals improves, but the difficulty of detecting such connections increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal estate deal promotion efficiencyVSAvoidnon-obvious connection detection difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal entity resolution system that can detect both obvious and non-obvious connections between entities. The resolution rules are designed to identify relationships across various contexts (real estate transactions, social connections, business relationships), enabling the system to uncover non-obvious connections that facilitate deal promotion while maintaining operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12130844B2System and method for joining databases by uniquely resolving entities

Publication Date: 2024.10.29 SKYLINE AI LTD

AI summary

A system and method for resolving entities between databases. A method includes: resolving an entity between a first database and a second database, wherein the entity is resolved such that respective instances of the entity in the first database and the second database are determined as each uniquely identifying the same entity, wherein resolving the entity further comprises applying resolution rules requiring at least matching a plurality of features between respective instances of the entity; and joining the first database and the second database when the entity has been resolved between the first database and the second database.