Natural Language Search Indexing via Object Graph Path Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Natural language searches for variables face challenges in achieving high accuracy and speed of response, which are crucial for enhancing user experience in electronic information systems.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method utilizing a processor to search an index containing information about variables, employing key words and context from user queries, mapping documents as nodes in an object graph, identifying paths, filtering based on user criteria, and ranking results for timely and accurate information display.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If natural language search uses comprehensive indexing and processing of multiple documents, then search accuracy improves, but response time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesearch accuracyVSAvoidresponse time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the search process into multiple phases: initial broad search using keywords, followed by contextual filtering and ranking. The object graph is divided into nodes representing different document types and relationships, allowing selective traversal based on user criteria. This segmentation enables the system to process only relevant portions of the index, improving accuracy while controlling response time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-processing and indexing documents into an object graph structure before actual search queries are received. Metadata about documents, their relationships, and contextual information is organized in advance, allowing rapid retrieval and filtering during actual search operations. This preliminary organization enables fast response times while maintaining comprehensive search capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of information

If the system processes more documents and relationships to ensure accurate answers, then information completeness improves, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to document organization through the object graph structure. Documents are arranged in layers based on their relationships and importance, with root nodes representing top-level concepts and child nodes representing detailed information. This dimensional organization allows the system to traverse only relevant layers based on user criteria, maintaining information completeness while reducing processing complexity by ignoring irrelevant lower-level details.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The search processing is made dynamic by adjusting the depth and scope of document traversal based on user-specific criteria and preferences. The system dynamically determines which nodes and relationships to explore based on the query context and user profile, rather than processing all documents uniformly. This dynamic approach ensures complete information retrieval when needed while simplifying processing when user criteria allow for more limited search scopes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the system filters and ranks paths based on user criteria, then answer relevance improves, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanswer relevanceVSAvoidfiltering and ranking time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial filtering and ranking actions by evaluating only the most relevant paths and nodes based on user criteria. Rather than processing every possible path through the complete object graph, the system identifies and processes a representative sample of high-relevance paths, achieving sufficient answer relevance without the time cost of exhaustive processing. This partial action approach balances reliability with processing time efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS9720982B2Method and apparatus for natural language search for variables
Publication Date: 2017.08.01 BANK OF AMERICA CORP
  • US9720982B2 patent drawing
  • US9720982B2 patent drawing
  • US9720982B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method for natural language search for variables is provided. The method may include searching an index using key words from a user's natural language question and the context of the user's question. The index may reference variables and/or web service calls in a domain model. The method may also include saving documents obtained in response to the search. The method may also include mapping each of the documents as a node into an object graph. Each node may be associated with a parent node, except when the node is a root node. The method may also include identifying the root node of each document. The method may also include identifying the path of each node from the node to the node's root node. The method may also include identifying matching paths. Each matching path may provide an answer to the user's question.