Automated Slot Normalization for Contract Clause Insertion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Human reviewers face a tedious and error-prone process when manually inserting clauses into contracts due to mismatched terminology, requiring manual search and replace operations that are time-consuming and prone to errors.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method and system that automatically detects slot types and updates clauses in a clause library by assigning slot values from a document under analysis, using techniques like named entity linking and scoring functions to ensure accurate and efficient insertion of clauses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual search and replace operations are used to update slots in clauses, then the reviewer can adapt clauses to match document terminology, but the process becomes time-consuming and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of slot substitutionVSAvoidtime to insert clauses

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical search and replace operations with an automated computer system that uses natural language processing and machine learning to detect slot types and perform substitutions. The system automatically identifies terminology variations in the document and updates clauses accordingly, eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining high accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-service by automatically detecting slot types, identifying terminology variations, and executing substitutions without requiring human reviewer intervention. The automated system manages the entire clause adaptation process independently, significantly reducing time loss while maintaining reliability through algorithmic accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If search and replace functions are used to update slots, then clause terminology can be adapted to match the document, but the complexity of handling multiple slot forms increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to handle slot terminology variationsVSAvoidcomplexity of slot update process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the parameter of processing from manual string replacement to automated semantic analysis. By detecting slot types and understanding terminology variations through natural language processing, the system can handle multiple forms of the same slot (e.g., 'Receiving Party', 'Recipient', 'Company') without increasing operational complexity. The machine learning model automatically manages terminology mapping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary layer in the form of a machine learning model that mediates between the document terminology and the clause templates. This intermediary automatically detects slot types, identifies variations, and performs substitutions, simplifying the overall process while maintaining high adaptability to different terminology styles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If manual clause insertion is performed, then reviewers can ensure grammatical correctness, but the repetitive nature of the task reduces efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of clause insertionVSAvoidease of clause adaptation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of copying, pasting, and editing clauses with an automated system that performs all operations through computer processing. The system retrieves appropriate clauses, detects required slot values, and inserts them automatically while maintaining grammatical correctness through algorithmic control, significantly improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables continuous automated operation without interruption. Once the document is uploaded, the system continuously processes the entire document, detects all slot types, identifies terminology variations, and updates all clauses automatically in a single continuous operation, eliminating the repetitive interrupted nature of manual work.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS20200134004A1Systems, methods, and computer program products for slot normalization of text data

Publication Date: 2020.04.30 BLACKBOILER INC

AI summary

Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for customization and insertion of a clause into an electronic document under analysis (DUA). The method includes the steps of receiving and electronic DUA, automatically detecting a slot type in the received DUA, assigning a DUA slot value to the detected slot type, and automatically updating one or more clauses in a clause library using the DUA slot value, wherein the updating includes inserting the DUA slot value into each slot in the one or more clauses having a slot type matching the detected slot type.