Natural Language Business Intelligence Platform

Solution Overview

Problem

Current data analysis and business intelligence systems require technical knowledge and complex programming, limiting accessibility and flexibility, as they rely on data warehouses with pre-configured analysis methods and inflexible schemas, making it difficult to perform real-time ad-hoc data analysis and dynamic reporting.

Innovation Solution

A real-time business intelligence platform using natural language queries and search engine technology for data analysis, allowing users to input questions in natural language, which are translated into SQL or search queries, enabling real-time data analysis and reporting without the need for coding or software configurations, and supporting dynamic data indexing and scalability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If data warehouses with pre-configured analysis methods and inflexible schemas are used, then data analysis capability is provided, but accessibility and flexibility deteriorate due to requiring technical knowledge and complex programming

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidcomplex programming

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a natural language processing intermediary layer between the user and the data warehouse system. This intermediary translates natural language queries into SQL or search queries, and translates query results into natural language responses, eliminating the need for users to learn complex programming while maintaining access to powerful data analysis capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of manual SQL query writing and software configuration with an automated natural language processing system. The NLB engine automatically interprets user intent, generates appropriate queries, and presents results in natural language, substituting the manual mechanical process with an intelligent automated system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If data warehouses with pre-configured analysis methods are used, then data analysis is enabled, but real-time ad-hoc data analysis and dynamic reporting become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-time data analysisVSAvoidad-hoc analysis capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic query processing system where the NLB engine can adapt to different user needs in real-time. The system dynamically generates search queries based on natural language input, processes results in real-time, and provides dynamic reporting capabilities without requiring pre-configured analysis methods, enabling flexible ad-hoc analysis

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal data access interface that can handle multiple types of queries and data sources through a single natural language interface. The NLB engine is designed to work with both SQL databases and search engines, providing multi-functional capability that supports various types of ad-hoc analysis and dynamic reporting through one unified system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If natural language queries are implemented, then accessibility is improved for users without technical knowledge, but query translation accuracy and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser accessibilityVSAvoidquery translation system

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a natural language processing intermediary layer between the user and the data warehouse system. This intermediary translates natural language queries into SQL or search queries, and translates query results into natural language responses, eliminating the need for users to learn complex programming while maintaining access to powerful data analysis capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of manual SQL query writing and software configuration with an automated natural language processing system. The NLB engine automatically interprets user intent, generates appropriate queries, and presents results in natural language, substituting the manual mechanical process with an intelligent automated system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10657125B1Methods and system for providing real-time business intelligence using natural language queries

Publication Date: 2020.05.19 PROGRESS SOFTWARE CORP

AI summary

The methods and systems for providing real-time business intelligence using national language queries facilitate a user to search within a data warehouse using a natural language question. Such business intelligence platform may receive a natural language based question, extract one or more key words from the natural language based question, determine a first dependency graph of the one or more key words based on a relationship among the one or more key words, determine a second dependency graph of the one or more key words based on previously stored search indices, merge the first and the second dependency graphs to generate an integrated dependency graph, and generate a formatted search string based on the integrated dependency graph.