Keyword-Based Document Retrieval for Support Automation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing support automation systems face challenges when knowledge documents evolve, as they require frequent updates and replacements of document identifiers in the analysis engine, and fail to effectively incorporate new relevant documents, leading to inefficiencies in problem resolution.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that analyze diagnostic data to retrieve keywords, which are used to search a database for relevant documents, replacing the tight linkage between document identifiers and the analysis engine with a more flexible system, allowing for sorting and generation of reports based on keyword relevance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a tight linkage between document identifiers and the analysis engine is used, then document identification accuracy is improved, but system adaptability deteriorates when documents are updated or removed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedocument identification accuracyVSAvoidsystem adaptability to document changes
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a keyword-based intermediary layer between the analysis engine and knowledge documents. Instead of directly linking document identifiers to the analysis engine, keywords serve as a mediator that enables flexible matching. When diagnostic data is analyzed, extracted keywords are used to search for relevant documents, allowing the system to adapt when documents are updated or removed while maintaining identification accuracy through semantic similarity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If document identifiers are frequently updated when documents evolve, then document relevance is maintained, but system complexity and maintenance effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedocument relevanceVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter for document identification from fixed document identifiers to flexible keyword-based matching. This parameter change allows the system to maintain document relevance without requiring frequent updates to the analysis engine. When documents are updated or removed, the keyword-based search automatically adapts to the current document state, eliminating the need for manual reconfiguration of the analysis engine.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If new knowledge documents are added to the database, then knowledge coverage is improved, but the analysis engine requires updating to recognize and propose new documents

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveknowledge coverageVSAvoidsystem productivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the system to self-update when new documents are added. The keyword extraction and search functionality automatically detects and incorporates new knowledge documents without requiring manual intervention or reconfiguration of the analysis engine. This self-service capability maintains high productivity while expanding knowledge coverage, as the system autonomously adapts to the evolving knowledge base.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS7827161B2Document retrieval
Publication Date: 2010.11.02 CONUNDRUM IP LLC
  • US7827161B2 patent drawing
  • US7827161B2 patent drawing

AI summary

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of identifying a document in a support automation system in response to receiving diagnostic data, the documents being stored in a database, comprising analysing the diagnostic data and retrieving, in response to the analysis, one more keywords, and searching the database using the one or more retrieved keywords to identifying one or more documents therein.