Phonetic Search Normalized String Spelling Error Tolerance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current search methods are ineffective in handling queries with spelling errors, as they fail to accurately match strings due to variations in character sets and phonetic representations across different writing systems.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for generating normalized strings based on phonetic representations, allowing for accurate comparison and indexing of search results, which includes a native string input component, character-set identification, correlation with corresponding normalized character-sets, and a phonetic searching system to overcome spelling errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional search methods are used, then search speed is maintained, but search accuracy deteriorates when spelling errors are present

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesearch accuracyVSAvoidsearch effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a normalized string as an intermediary representation between the original query string and the search index. This normalized string serves as a mediator that converts various spellings and character sets into a standard form, enabling accurate matching even when spelling errors are present. The normalization process acts as the intermediary layer that resolves the contradiction between maintaining search speed and improving search accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter representation from exact character matching to phonetic/normalized string matching. By transforming the query string into a normalized form that represents its phonetic or semantic equivalent, the system can tolerate spelling variations while maintaining search accuracy. This parameter transformation allows the system to achieve both speed and accuracy by operating on the normalized representation rather than raw character sequences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If string normalization is performed, then search accuracy improves, but processing time increases

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

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-computing and storing normalized versions of common strings and creating a normalized string index during system initialization or data ingestion. When a search query arrives, the system can quickly normalize the query and perform direct index lookup rather than normalizing every search result string in real-time. This preliminary preparation significantly reduces processing time during actual search operations while maintaining high accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a copy of the search index in the normalized string domain. Instead of transforming every search result during query processing, the system maintains a parallel normalized index structure that allows direct querying. This copying approach separates the normalization workload into index construction time rather than query execution time, thereby improving search speed while preserving accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If phonetic normalization is applied, then spelling error tolerance improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespelling error toleranceVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal normalization function that handles multiple writing systems, character sets, and spelling variations through a single integrated process. Rather than implementing separate correction algorithms for different languages and error types, the system uses a general phonetic normalization approach that can accommodate diverse inputs. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by consolidating what would otherwise be multiple specialized components into one versatile normalization mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2162838B1Phonetic search using normalized string
Publication Date: 2019.07.24 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP2162838B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2162838B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP2162838B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and system for generating a normalized string and performing a phonetic search are provided. To normalize a string, a native string is obtained. Upon obtaining a native string, native-character sets within the native string are identified. Each native-character set is associated with a phonetically corresponding normalized character-set. A normalized string is generated based on the phonetically corresponding normalized character-sets. After normalizing a query string and one or more search content strings, the normalized strings may be utilized to perform a phonetic search. As such, the query string may be compared to the one or more search content strings to ascertain relevant search results. Relevant search results may be indexed and obtained at a later instant.