Structural Graph Neural Networks for Dynamic Anomaly Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Anomaly detection in dynamic graphs is challenging due to the complexity of data and variations in graph structure, as anomalous edges cannot be determined from a single timestamp and vertical sets change over time, requiring consideration of previous graphs for detection.

Innovation Solution

A structural graph neural network framework is proposed to detect anomalous edges by learning graph structure changes within a given time window, using subgraph structure generation, graph structure feature extraction, and a detection network to predict edge categories, incorporating recurrent neural networks for temporal information capture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional machine learning methods are used for anomaly detection in dynamic graphs, then the detection can be performed with simpler algorithms, but the detection accuracy is insufficient due to the complexity of data and variations in graph structure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanomaly detection accuracyVSAvoidgraph structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the dynamic graph analysis into multiple time windows, where each window captures graph structures at different timestamps. This segmentation allows the model to analyze temporal variations systematically, improving detection accuracy by comparing structures across windows while managing complexity through localized analysis rather than processing the entire dynamic graph at once.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the graph structure analysis by adding a temporal dimension through time windows. Instead of analyzing a single static graph, the method creates multiple graph representations across different time points, enabling the detection of structural changes and anomalies that vary over time. This dimensional transformation converts a complex temporal problem into a series of comparable spatial structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If graphs from multiple timestamps are considered for anomaly detection, then the detection accuracy improves, but the computational cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanomaly detection accuracyVSAvoidcomputational cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by focusing computational resources on specific time windows and relevant graph substructures rather than processing all possible graph combinations. The method selectively analyzes graphs within defined time windows and uses graph neural networks to process only the necessary structural information, reducing overall computational cost while maintaining detection accuracy through targeted analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-processing graph structures into standardized representations before anomaly detection. Graph neural networks are used to extract meaningful features and representations in advance, transforming raw graph data into a format that is more efficient for subsequent anomaly detection. This preliminary feature extraction reduces the computational burden during the actual detection phase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If vertical sets are updated along all timestamps, then the detection remains current and accurate, but the processing time increases

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

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by analyzing graph structures at discrete time windows rather than continuously updating at every timestamp. This periodic sampling approach captures essential temporal variations while reducing processing time by skipping intermediate updates. The method balances detection accuracy with processing efficiency by selecting strategic time points for analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses preliminary action through pre-computed graph representations and cached structural features from previous time windows. Instead of re-processing all graph data at each timestamp, the method leverages previously extracted features and updates only the necessary components, significantly reducing processing time while maintaining detection accuracy through incremental updates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11522881B2Structural graph neural networks for suspicious event detection
Publication Date: 2022.12.06 NEC CORP
  • US11522881B2 patent drawing
  • US11522881B2 patent drawing
  • US11522881B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A computer-implemented method for graph structure based anomaly detection on a dynamic graph is provided. The method includes detecting anomalous edges in the dynamic graph by learning graph structure changes in the dynamic graph with respect to target edges to be evaluated in a given time window repeatedly applied to the dynamic graph. The target edges correspond to particular different timestamps. The method further includes predicting a category of each of the target edges as being one of anomalous and non-anomalous based on the graph structure changes. The method also includes controlling a hardware based device to avoid an impending failure responsive to the category of at least one of the target edges.