Tabular Data Imputation for Iterative Form Field Prediction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Filling in data in user interface forms is a time-consuming and error-prone task, leading to inefficiencies and inaccuracies in data recording and process execution, especially when missing values are not handled effectively.

Innovation Solution

A machine learning model trained on denoised tabular data using application-specific masking rules and denoising techniques is used to automatically impute data in user interface forms, iteratively populating fields based on user input and predictions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual data entry is used to fill in user interface forms, then data accuracy can be maintained through user review, but the task becomes time-consuming and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata entry efficiencyVSAvoidtime spent on form filling
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by having the machine learning model automatically predict and fill form fields without requiring manual user input for each field. The model learns from historical data patterns and autonomously completes forms, freeing users from repetitive manual data entry tasks while maintaining accuracy through the model's predictive capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The machine learning model performs preliminary action by pre-populating form fields with predicted values before the user submits the form. This advance preparation reduces the time users would otherwise spend on data entry, as the model has already completed the predictive filling process in the background based on learned patterns from training data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If simple imputation methods are used, then computational resources are saved, but data imputation accuracy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata imputation accuracyVSAvoidcomputational resource usage
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system optimizes the balance between accuracy and computational resources by adjusting model parameters such as training data selection, feature engineering choices, and hyperparameter settings. These parameter changes enable the model to achieve high imputation accuracy while controlling computational complexity and resource consumption during both training and inference phases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using complex computational models for every imputation task, the system creates simplified copies or representations of the data patterns through trained machine learning models. Once trained, these model copies can rapidly perform imputation with high accuracy without requiring the full computational resources needed for the original complex analysis, enabling efficient real-time predictions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Measurement precision

If comprehensive training data is collected from multiple sources, then model accuracy improves, but data processing complexity and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodel prediction accuracyVSAvoiddata processing system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the training data collection and processing into distinct phases and components: data collection from multiple sources, data cleaning and preprocessing, feature extraction, model training, and validation. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, managing overall complexity while comprehensively processing diverse training data to improve model accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces intermediary components such as data preprocessing pipelines, feature engineering layers, and data normalization procedures that act as mediators between raw training data from multiple sources and the machine learning model. These intermediaries standardize and clean the data, reducing processing complexity while preserving the beneficial information from comprehensive data sources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250378265A1Machine learning algorithms for tabular data imputation
Publication Date: 2025.12.11 SAP SE
  • US20250378265A1 patent drawing
  • US20250378265A1 patent drawing
  • US20250378265A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products include: receiving first input data from a user, the first input data including a first field value for a first field on a user interface form; invoking a trained model for tabular data imputation to predict values for one or more other user interface fields of the user interface form based on the first field value; providing one or more predicted field data values for the one or more other user interface fields on the user interface form based on an output of the trained model; receiving second input data from the user including a second field value for a second field; automatically invoking the trained model to predict a third field value for a third field of the user interface form based on the first field value for the first field and the second field value for the second field.