Unsupervised Fact Extraction via Seed Attribute-Value Pairs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automated extraction systems face challenges in extracting information from documents of various formats, languages, and layouts, leading to confusion and inaccurate information extraction.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that use a seed attribute-value pair from a first document to analyze a second document, identifying contextual patterns to extract additional attribute-value pairs, which are then stored as facts, facilitating efficient and accurate information extraction across different document formats.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If automated extraction systems process documents of various formats, languages, and layouts, then the quantity of extracted information increases, but the accuracy and reliability of extraction decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequantity of extracted informationVSAvoidaccuracy of information extraction
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The extraction system is divided into multiple specialized components: format-specific parsers for different document types, language detection and translation modules, layout analysis subsystems, and pattern matching engines. Each component handles specific aspects of the extraction task, allowing the system to process diverse documents while maintaining accuracy through specialized processing pathways.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts extraction parameters based on document characteristics. It detects document format, language, and layout type, then modifies extraction rules, pattern templates, and processing strategies accordingly. This adaptive parameter adjustment enables accurate extraction across varying document types without sacrificing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If diverse document formats are processed, then the versatility of the extraction system improves, but the complexity of the system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to process various document formatsVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs a universal extraction framework that can handle multiple document formats through a common architecture. A single platform provides format detection, adaptive parsing, and unified output generation, eliminating the need for separate dedicated systems for each document type. This multi-functional approach achieves versatility while controlling complexity through shared components and standardized processing pipelines.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces intermediate layers including document normalization modules that convert various formats into a standard intermediate representation, and pattern template systems that mediate between diverse input formats and extraction rules. These intermediaries simplify the processing architecture by providing standardized interfaces, reducing the complexity of directly handling format diversity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If contextual patterns are used to extract attribute-value pairs, then the accuracy of extraction improves, but the time required for processing increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of attribute-value pair extractionVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis by detecting document format, language, and layout characteristics before extraction begins. It pre-loads appropriate pattern templates and extraction rules based on detected document properties, and prepares contextual patterns in advance. This preliminary preparation reduces processing time during actual extraction while maintaining high accuracy through contextually-appropriate patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies contextual pattern matching selectively rather than exhaustively. It identifies and applies only the relevant contextual patterns needed for the current document type and extraction task, avoiding unnecessary processing of all possible patterns. This partial application approach maintains extraction accuracy for critical attributes while reducing overall processing time by skipping redundant pattern analyses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS8825471B2Unsupervised extraction of facts
Publication Date: 2014.09.02 GOOGLE LLC
  • US8825471B2 patent drawing
  • US8825471B2 patent drawing
  • US8825471B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A system and method for extracting facts from documents. A fact is extracted from a first document. The attribute and value of the fact extracted from the first document are used as a seed attribute-value pair. A second document containing the seed attribute-value pair is analyzed to determine a contextual pattern used in the second document. The contextual pattern is used to extract other attribute-value pairs from the second document. The extracted attributes and values are stored as facts.