NLG Document Update via Causal Text Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users of natural language generation (NLG) engines face challenges in updating documents with additional content, particularly in explaining the causes of events described, as this information may not be readily available and the engine may not know which events require such explanations.

Innovation Solution

A method using multiple machine learning models to identify causal text segments, separate cause and effect sub-segments, and generate new text segments to explain the causes of events, which are then integrated into the document, involving tokenization, classification, and paraphrasing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple machine learning models are used to identify and process causal text segments, then the quality and relevance of document updates are improved, but the system complexity and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequality of document updatesVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the complex task of causal analysis into multiple specialized machine learning models: a first model identifies causal text segments, a second model extracts cause and effect sub-segments, and a third model generates updated text. This segmentation allows each model to focus on a specific aspect of causal reasoning, improving overall reliability while making the complex system more manageable through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer that takes raw document text, applies multiple machine learning models in sequence, and produces refined causal interpretations. This intermediary layer acts as a bridge between raw input and final document updates, allowing complex processing to occur in controlled stages that improve reliability without directly exposing the complexity to end users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If multiple machine learning models are used to identify and process causal text segments, then the quality and relevance of document updates are improved, but the processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequality of document updatesVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the processing into distinct stages with specialized models, the system can optimize each stage independently for both quality and speed. The first model quickly identifies potential causal segments, the second model efficiently extracts sub-segments, and the third model generates updates only where needed, reducing overall processing time while maintaining high quality through focused expertise at each stage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary identification of causal text segments before full processing. The first machine learning model pre-processes the document to identify segments that contain causal relationships, allowing subsequent models to focus only on relevant portions rather than processing the entire document, thereby reducing total processing time while maintaining update quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Extent of automation

If the NLG engine automatically identifies events requiring causal explanations, then the automation level increases, but the accuracy of identifying relevant events may decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomation levelVSAvoidaccuracy of event identification
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the machine learning models analyze the document content, identify causal relationships, generate updates, and can iteratively refine their identification accuracy. The system learns from the structure and context of events in the document, improving its ability to accurately identify which events require causal explanations while maintaining high automation levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual identification of events requiring causal explanations with machine learning-based automated analysis. The first machine learning model uses pattern recognition and natural language processing to identify causal segments, substituting human judgment with automated intelligent systems that can consistently identify relevant events at scale while maintaining accuracy through trained algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11983486B1Machine learning techniques for updating documents generated by a natural language generation (NLG) engine
Publication Date: 2024.05.14 YSEOP
  • US11983486B1 patent drawing
  • US11983486B1 patent drawing
  • US11983486B1 patent drawing

AI summary

Described herein are techniques for automatically updating (e.g., augmenting) the content of documents with additional content. Such documents may be generated automatically using a natural language generation (NLG) engine. In some embodiments, the techniques developed by the inventors are configured to update a document with text explaining what caused a certain event or set of events described in the document. The techniques developed by the inventors involve multiple acts. For example, the techniques may identify content of relevance to a document, may identify whether the content includes a text segments having a causal structure, and may separate the cause sub-segment from the cause-segment. The cause sub-segment, and optionally the effect sub-segment, may be used to update the document.