NLP Transaction Categorization via Keyword Extraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing transaction categorization techniques in financial management software lack accuracy and the ability to continuously learn and generate new categories, struggling to effectively analyze and understand spending patterns from raw transaction data.

Innovation Solution

The use of natural language processing systems that employ 'bag-of-words' techniques, calculate frequency values and transition probabilities, and generate categories by extracting important keywords from transaction descriptions, allowing for improved categorization and continuous learning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional transaction categorization techniques are used, then the system is simple to implement, but categorization accuracy is low and the system cannot continuously learn new categories

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecategorization accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional rule-based or simple algorithmic categorization systems with a natural language processing system that uses machine learning models. The NLP system analyzes transaction descriptions using linguistic understanding, extracts meaningful entities and relationships, and dynamically generates categories based on learned patterns from historical data, thereby achieving high accuracy while maintaining adaptability.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-learning by automatically analyzing transaction descriptions, identifying patterns, and generating new categories without requiring manual reconfiguration. The NLP system continuously refines its categorization capabilities by learning from new transaction data, enabling the system to adapt to evolving spending patterns autonomously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual categorization methods are used, then the system requires less computational resources, but it cannot continuously learn and generate new categories

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to learn new categoriesVSAvoidcomputational resources
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The NLP system operates continuously, processing transaction descriptions in real-time and continuously learning from new data. The system maintains an evolving model of categorization rules and patterns, enabling it to adapt to new spending categories and merchant behaviors without interruption, thereby achieving continuous learning capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts its computational parameters and processing depth based on transaction complexity and data patterns. The NLP model adapts its analysis intensity to match the informational content of each transaction, optimizing resource utilization while maintaining high adaptability to new categories.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of information

If raw transaction data is analyzed directly, then the system is simpler to operate, but spending patterns are difficult to understand and illuminate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespending pattern insightsVSAvoidease of data analysis
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The NLP system extracts meaningful information from raw transaction descriptions by identifying key entities, actions, and relationships. It pulls out essential patterns and generates summarized category labels that capture the essence of spending behavior, transforming opaque raw data into actionable insights while maintaining ease of operation through automated processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary processing layer that translates raw transaction data into meaningful categories and insights. The NLP model acts as a mediator between the raw data and the user, automatically interpreting spending patterns and presenting them in a comprehensible format without requiring users to manually analyze the underlying data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12014141B2Systems and methods for improved transaction categorization using natural language processing
Publication Date: 2024.06.18 INTUIT INC
  • US12014141B2 patent drawing
  • US12014141B2 patent drawing
  • US12014141B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Systems and methods are provided for categorizing a transaction description using natural language processing.