Ontology Expression Canonicalization for Syntax Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing editing tools for ontologies lack strict control over syntax and machine analysis, leading to inaccurate interpretation of implicit relationships in ontology expressions, and do not provide a seamless way to modify expressions into canonical forms for reliable machine processing.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for modifying base expressions in ontologies by generating canonical expressions, adding, replacing, or deleting segments, and comparing modified expressions to determine substitution, utilizing a first expression expander, canonical modifier, base expression modifier, and expression comparator to ensure accurate and explicit representation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If text-based editing tools are used for ontology expressions, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to lack of syntax control and machine analysis

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of editingVSAvoidsyntax control accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer between the text editor and the ontology expression. This intermediary automatically converts natural language or semi-formal expressions into canonical form with proper syntax control, mediating between user convenience and syntactic precision without requiring users to manually manage complex syntax rules

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary processing of ontology expressions by automatically generating canonical form before machine interpretation. This preliminary action includes syntax validation, structure normalization, and implicit relationship explicitation, ensuring precision is established before the expression is used for machine processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If implicit relationships are used in basic expressions, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to inaccurate machine interpretation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexpression simplicityVSAvoidmachine interpretation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary explicitation of implicit relationships by automatically analyzing the basic expression and generating the canonical form that makes all relationships explicit. This includes identifying implicit properties, relationships, and constraints, and making them visible in the canonical representation before machine processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system analyzes the basic expression, generates canonical form, and uses this analysis to improve or validate the original expression. The feedback loop ensures that implicit relationships are properly identified and explicitated, improving reliability while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If canonical form generation and validation steps are added, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexpression accuracyVSAvoidprocessing system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the complex processing task into distinct functional modules: expression input, canonical form generation, validation, and processing. Each module handles a specific aspect of the transformation, making the overall system more manageable and maintainable while ensuring precision at each stage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The canonical form generation and validation system is designed as a universal preprocessing layer that can handle multiple types of ontology expressions and relationships. This multi-functional approach consolidates various processing needs into a single framework, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9070084B2Modification of description logic expressions

Publication Date: 2015.06.30 COMMONWEALTH SCI & IND RES ORG

AI summary

A method, executed by a computer system, or altering a base expression associated with an ontology, the method including:generating a canonical expression from the base expression;modifying the canonical expression to generate a modified canonical expression, the modification being the addition, replacement or deletion of a target update expression segment;modifying the base expression to generate a modified base expression by adding a modification sub-expression to the base expression or deleting a modification sub-expression from the base expression, the modification sub-expression being determined at least in part from the target update expression segment;generating a comparison canonical expression from the modified base expression; andcomparing the comparison canonical expression with the modified canonical expression to determine whether to substitute the base expression with the modified base expression.