Rule Integration Device Using Natural Language Grammar Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Centralized data management across multiple systems is hindered by differing management rules, leading to increased labor and time costs, as well as longer rule expressions due to logical sums of varying conditions, and limited integration of formal and natural language translations.

Innovation Solution

A rule integration device and method that converts management rules to natural language sentences and determines their combinability using grammar analysis, allowing for the generation of a post-combination management rule by combining compatible rules.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If management rules from multiple systems are integrated using logical sums of conditions, then the rules can be combined across systems, but the expression of the rules becomes longer and more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverule combinabilityVSAvoidrule expression length

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple management rules by identifying common conditions and combining them into a single unified rule expression. Instead of creating separate logical sum expressions for each rule combination, the system consolidates rules with similar conditions into one expression, thereby reducing overall rule complexity and length while maintaining the ability to combine rules across different systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms management rules from their original system-specific formats into a standardized natural language representation. This parameter change in expression format allows for more compact and readable rule combinations, reducing the length and complexity of integrated rule expressions while preserving their semantic meaning and combinability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If users manually generate integration rules across multiple systems, then rule integration can be achieved, but labor cost and time cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverule integration capabilityVSAvoidrule generation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service automation where the system automatically analyzes, compares, and integrates management rules from multiple systems without requiring manual user intervention. The system autonomously identifies combinable rules, generates integrated rule expressions in natural language, and maintains the rule base, thereby eliminating the time and labor costs associated with manual rule generation while preserving full integration capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical manual process of rule generation with an automated computational system that uses natural language processing and grammar analysis. This substitution eliminates human labor and time requirements for rule integration while maintaining or enhancing the quality and accuracy of integrated rules through systematic automated analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If management rules are converted to natural language for integration, then rule readability improves, but the conversion process adds processing complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverule readabilityVSAvoidconversion process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal natural language representation framework that serves multiple functions simultaneously: it improves rule readability for human understanding, enables automated grammar-based combinability determination, and provides a standardized format for rule integration. This multi-functional approach reduces overall system complexity by using a single representation format for multiple purposes rather than requiring separate processing paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces natural language as an intermediary representation layer between system-specific management rules and the integration process. This intermediary format simplifies the conversion process by providing a standardized, grammar-based structure that is both human-readable and computationally processable, thereby reducing the complexity of rule integration while maintaining high readability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11977839B2Rule integration device, rule integration method, and storage medium storing program

Publication Date: 2024.05.07 NEC CORP

AI summary

A rule integration device includes determination means for converting, to natural language sentences, each of multiple management rules used by a management device for managing a management target, and determining whether or not the multiple management rules are combinable based on grammar relating to the converted natural language sentences; and combination means for generating a post-combination rule by combining the multiple management rules that have been determined to be combinable by the determination means.