Entity Type Clarification for Fine-Grained Knowledge Retrieval

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Solution Overview

Problem

Supervised learning models for factual knowledge acquisition require large amounts of human-annotated training data, which is time-consuming and expensive, especially for domain-specific applications, leading to inefficiencies and limitations in obtaining accurate and granular entity information.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method and system using unsupervised machine learning systems, such as pre-trained language models, to generate and clarify entity types through interactive prompts, allowing users to select the desired entity type from a set of candidates, thereby overcoming ambiguity and granularity issues in knowledge retrieval.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If supervised learning models are used for factual knowledge acquisition, then extraction accuracy can be improved, but the requirement for large amounts of human-annotated training data increases, making the process time-consuming and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveextraction accuracyVSAvoidtime-consuming data annotation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by allowing the machine learning model to automatically generate entity type classifications without requiring human annotators to manually label training data. The model serves itself by producing the annotations it needs through automated entity type generation and classification processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Entity types serve as an intermediary layer between the raw text and the extracted factual knowledge. By introducing entity type classification as a mediating step, the system bridges the gap between unstructured text and structured knowledge extraction, enabling more accurate results without direct human intervention in the annotation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If supervised learning models are used for factual knowledge acquisition, then extraction accuracy can be improved, but the cost of obtaining human-annotated training data increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveextraction accuracyVSAvoidexpensive data annotation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system eliminates the need for expensive human annotation services by enabling the machine learning model to automatically generate entity type classifications. This self-service approach replaces costly human labor with automated computational processes that produce the necessary training data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates synthetic training data by copying and adapting existing unlabeled text data into annotated training examples through automated entity type generation. Instead of paying for original human-annotated data, the system generates equivalent training material by processing available text resources through its classification pipeline.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Device complexity

If traditional knowledge retrieval is used, then simplicity is maintained, but the ability to retrieve fine-grained factual knowledge with specific entity types deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidentity type granularity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The knowledge retrieval process is segmented into distinct stages: entity type generation, entity type classification, and factual knowledge extraction. By dividing the process into separate modular components, the system achieves fine-grained entity type control while maintaining overall system simplicity through clear separation of concerns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system adds a new dimension to traditional knowledge retrieval by introducing entity type classification as an additional processing layer. This dimensional addition enables fine-grained control over entity types without fundamentally redesigning the entire retrieval system, allowing precise knowledge extraction while building upon existing retrieval infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS12488194B2System and method with entity type clarification for fine-grained factual knowledge retrieval
Publication Date: 2025.12.02 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • US12488194B2 patent drawing
  • US12488194B2 patent drawing
  • US12488194B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A computer-implemented system and method relate to factual knowledge retrieval with entity type clarification. A set of candidates is generated for a first prompt. The set of candidates provide a solution to the first prompt. A set of second prompts is generated based on the set of candidates. A set of entity types is generated using the set of second prompts. The set of entity types categorize the set of candidates. The set of entity types is output via a user interface. A selected entity type is received via the user interface. The selected entity type is chosen from among the set of entity types. A selected candidate is output. The selected candidate corresponds to the selected entity type.