ML Model Visualization for Non-Technical Users

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Solution Overview

Problem

Non-technical users, such as subject matter experts or business analysts, face challenges in understanding and improving machine learning classification models due to the time-consuming process of refining models to account for data gaps, as they lack the expertise to interpret model performance metrics.

Innovation Solution

A method is provided to visualize machine learning model performance using a confusion matrix and model performance metric data, generating clusters, centroids, and misclassification indicator arrows, allowing non-technical users to visualize and identify gaps in the data for improving model training through a graphical representation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If non-technical users train ML classification models directly, then they can improve model performance, but the training process becomes time-consuming due to the complexity of understanding model performance metrics and identifying data gaps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodel training efficiencyVSAvoidcomplexity of model performance interpretation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary visualization system that translates complex model performance metrics into intuitive graphical representations. The confusion matrix visualization acts as a mediator between the ML model and non-technical users, converting technical performance data into visual formats that are easily interpretable without requiring data science expertise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs color-coded visualizations in the confusion matrix representation, where different colors indicate various performance metrics and data patterns. This visual encoding allows non-technical users to quickly grasp model performance characteristics and identify areas for improvement through color-based patterns rather than numerical analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

2Loss of information

If non-technical users are provided with detailed model performance metrics, then they can understand model performance, but the interface becomes complex and difficult to interpret

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodel performance informationVSAvoidease of interpreting performance metrics
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms one-dimensional numerical performance metrics into two-dimensional visual representations through the confusion matrix. This dimensional transformation allows users to perceive multiple performance aspects simultaneously in a spatial layout, making it easier to identify patterns, gaps, and relationships that would be difficult to detect in tabular numerical data.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the overall model performance into distinct visual components within the confusion matrix, separating different class predictions and performance metrics into identifiable regions. This segmentation allows non-technical users to focus on specific aspects of performance without being overwhelmed by the complete set of metrics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If the confusion matrix is visualized with detailed data points, then accurate performance analysis is achieved, but the visualization becomes cluttered and hard to read

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveperformance metric accuracyVSAvoidvisualization complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by selectively highlighting only the most significant performance indicators and data patterns in the visualization, rather than displaying all possible metrics with equal emphasis. This approach maintains measurement precision for critical metrics while reducing visual clutter by omitting or de-emphasizing less important information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS11556569B2Visualizing machine learning model performance for non-technical users
Publication Date: 2023.01.17 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION
  • US11556569B2 patent drawing
  • US11556569B2 patent drawing
  • US11556569B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method, system, and computer program product for visualizing a machine learning model are provided. A confusion matrix and model performance metric data are received from a classification model. For each data point in the confusion matrix, a corresponding pixel is generated. The pixels are grouped into clusters. Each cluster represents a label in the confusion matrix. A centroid is generated for each cluster. Using the model performance metric data, a misclassification indicator arrow is generated for each misclassified data point. The misclassification indicator arrow indicates both the predicted class and the actual class. The clusters, the centroids, and the misclassification indicator arrow are displayed as a graphical visualization of the machine learning model.