Problem Structure Extraction via Loop Normalization

The patent merges multiple loop structures by identifying common portions (sequences of nodes and links) that appear in multiple loops and replacing them with a single representative node. This combining approach allows loop structures of different lengths to be matched effectively, as the common portions are normalized. Consequently, the system can extract more problem structures including those with redundant nodes, while maintaining matching precision through the standardized representation of common patterns.

The patent extracts common portions from multiple loop structures and separates them as independent reusable elements. By identifying sequences of nodes and links that appear in multiple loops and replacing them with representative nodes, the system handles redundant nodes systematically. This extraction approach maintains matching precision by preserving the essential structural patterns while eliminating redundancy, allowing accurate problem structure extraction even from complex models with redundant nodes.