Spreadsheet Semantic Data Enrichment via Knowledge Graph

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manually inputting or importing data from external sources into computerized databases or spreadsheets is often cumbersome due to the difficulty in finding and organizing data in a suitable format for analysis, requiring manual transformations or script writing.

Innovation Solution

The system detects user-intended semantic relationships in existing data using a knowledge graph to automatically fill in missing values by identifying relationships between entries in different table columns, leveraging examples from recognized data sources like knowledge graphs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual data input or import from external sources is used, then data can be entered into the spreadsheet, but the process is cumbersome and time-consuming due to difficulty in finding and organizing data in suitable format

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata input efficiencyVSAvoidtime for finding and organizing data

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects semantic relationships between data items and performs self-organization of imported data. The spreadsheet application autonomously identifies relationships, determines suitable formats, and organizes data without requiring manual intervention or script writing, enabling the system to serve itself in the data organization process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical data organization processes with automated computational methods. Instead of manually finding and organizing data in suitable formats, the system uses semantic relationship detection and knowledge graphs to automatically transform and organize imported data, substituting human manual work with intelligent automated processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If scripts are written or manual transformations are performed to organize data into desired format, then data can be organized suitably for analysis, but the process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of data organizationVSAvoidcomplexity of data transformation process

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spreadsheet application autonomously detects semantic relationships and organizes data into suitable formats without requiring user-written scripts or manual transformations. The system performs self-service by automatically determining the desired format and organizing imported data, eliminating the need for complex user interventions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces semantic relationship detection and knowledge graphs as intermediary mechanisms between raw imported data and the final organized format. These intermediaries automatically analyze data relationships and transform data into suitable formats, replacing complex manual transformation processes with intelligent automated mediation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If automated data filling is implemented using semantic relationships, then data input efficiency improves, but the system complexity increases due to knowledge graph integration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated data filling efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity with knowledge graph

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spreadsheet application integrates multiple functions including data import, semantic relationship detection, knowledge graph integration, and automated data filling into a single universal system. This multi-functionality enables the system to handle various data types and relationships while maintaining automated operation, achieving high productivity through consolidated intelligent processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses knowledge graphs as intermediary structures that bridge imported data and the spreadsheet organization system. The knowledge graph automatically captures semantic relationships and serves as a mediator that enables intelligent data filling without requiring complex direct processing logic, managing system complexity through structured intermediate representation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10120851B2Automatic semantic data enrichment in a spreadsheet

Publication Date: 2018.11.06 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

To improve efficiency of populating a spreadsheet with data, the system and method disclosed herein provide for a user to request automatic filling of data into the spreadsheet. In one embodiment, the user identifies a target area such as a column of the spreadsheet and existing data items entered by the user are detected in a base column and the target column. In one aspect, a data item in a cell is detected in the target column. In another aspect a column header is detected in the target column. A semantic relationship is determined between the detected data items in the base column and target column. The determined relationship is then used to determine at least one new data item to add to the target area of the spreadsheet.