Forensic Data Graphical Exploration via Ontological Sets

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Solution Overview

Problem

Historically, forensic data investigation tools have focused on features rather than usability, requiring significant training and periodic re-training, leading to difficulties in effective use and missed investigative opportunities due to user forgetfulness.

Innovation Solution

A forensic data investigation application with enhanced usability through data processing and presentation, featuring graphical user interfaces that facilitate the exploration of digital forensic data by automatically identifying related data artifacts and displaying relationships in a visual graph format, allowing for efficient report generation and filtering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If forensic data investigation tools focus on features rather than usability, then the functionality and capability of the tools are improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates, requiring significant training and periodic re-training

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidusability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically generates ontological sets and displays data relationships without requiring manual configuration or expert knowledge from the user. The automated ontology generation and visual relationship display enable the system to serve itself in organizing and presenting forensic data, reducing the need for user training while maintaining advanced functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary layer (ontological sets and visual relationship graphs) between the raw forensic data and the user interface. This intermediary automatically processes and structures the data, mediating between complex backend functionality and simple user interaction, thereby resolving the contradiction between feature richness and ease of use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If users rely on manual analysis of forensic data, then detailed examination is possible, but the time required for investigation increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanalysis detailVSAvoidinvestigation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically generating ontological sets and pre-computing data relationships before the user needs to analyze the information. This advance processing structures the data in meaningful ways, enabling both detailed analysis and rapid retrieval without requiring users to manually examine raw data, thereby improving productivity while maintaining analysis depth

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms flat forensic data into multi-dimensional ontological structures with hierarchical relationships. By organizing data into ontological sets with multiple attributes and relationships, the system enables users to analyze data from multiple dimensions simultaneously, achieving detailed examination more efficiently through structured visualization rather than linear manual review

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If forensic tools require significant training, then comprehensive feature utilization is achieved, but the loss of time for training and re-training increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeature utilizationVSAvoidtraining time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system's automated ontology generation and visual relationship display features enable users to effectively utilize comprehensive forensic capabilities without requiring extensive training. The system self-configures and self-explains data relationships through intuitive visualizations, allowing users to leverage full system functionality while minimizing training time investment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The ontological set framework provides a universal interface that handles multiple types of forensic data and relationships through a single consistent model. This multi-functional approach allows the same interface to handle diverse forensic scenarios, enabling users to effectively utilize comprehensive features across different investigation types without needing specialized training for each scenario

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11263273B2Systems and methods for graphical exploration of forensic data

Publication Date: 2022.03.01 ROYAL BANK OF CANADA

AI summary

Methods and apparatus for examining digital forensic data using a viewer computer. Forensic data collections are provided to the viewer computer, which can format the data artifacts according to a variety of display types and presentation formats, to facilitate review and reporting by a user. A relation graph presentation format is provided for visual exploration of data relationships.