Statistical Pattern Alignment for Information Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Information-mining robots face difficulties in processing varied expressions of the same information, leading to inefficiencies and increased programming requirements due to the lack of consistency in symbol sets, such as different ways to represent a location in a codex.
Innovation Solution
A processor-based system with a frame memory and alignment module that aligns test patterns with a canonical pattern, using alignment scores to determine the significance of misalignments and decide whether to pass information to the user, thereby handling variations in symbol expressions effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a brute force approach is used to teach the robot about each possible way of expressing information, then the robot can understand multiple expressions, but the process becomes more time-consuming as the list of alternatives becomes longer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the problem by dividing multiple expression patterns into hierarchical levels. Instead of treating all patterns equally in a brute force manner, the system organizes them into a structured framework where common patterns are handled at higher levels and specific variations are resolved at lower levels, reducing the time required to process each expression.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-processing and organizing expression patterns into a structured format before actual information extraction. The system pre-establishes the relationships between different expressions and their meanings, so that during runtime, the robot can quickly match new expressions against this pre-organized structure rather than comparing them individually against all possible patterns.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a brute force approach is used to teach the robot about each possible way of expressing information, then the robot can understand multiple expressions, but a great deal of programming is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by creating a multi-functional framework that can handle various types of information expressions through a single unified system. Instead of programming separate rules for each expression type, the system uses a universal structure that can adapt to different expressions by leveraging the hierarchical relationships already established in the framework, significantly reducing programming requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies copying by using template-based patterns that can be replicated and adapted. Once a pattern for handling a particular type of expression is established in the hierarchical structure, it can be copied and applied to similar expressions by simply adjusting parameters, rather than programming each expression handling rule from scratch.
3Loss of information
If the system passes information for all misaligned test patterns to the user, then no information is lost, but the user is overwhelmed with irrelevant information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the treatment of different test patterns based on their specific characteristics. Instead of applying a uniform rule to all misaligned patterns, the system evaluates each pattern's alignment score and applies different filtering thresholds locally. Patterns with high alignment scores despite minor misalignments are passed to the user, while patterns with low scores are filtered out, optimizing both information completeness and user experience.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for extracting selected information from a set of symbols includes said alignment module is configured to retrieve test patterns from a symbol input, and to attempt alignment of test patterns with a canonical pattern. Successful alignment between a particular test pattern and said canonical pattern indicates of existence of information of interest in a particular candidate pattern. Upon detection of a successful alignment, the alignment module passes information concerning the test pattern to a user. Additionally, in response to detecting an unsuccessful attempt to align the first test pattern and the canonical pattern, said alignment module passes, to said user, information concerning the first test pattern.