Transformation Object Generation for Text Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Developing code to manipulate characters into a desired format for text processing can be tedious, time-consuming, and error-prone, often resulting in bugs, incorrect data, and security concerns due to insufficient handling of various input formats.

Innovation Solution

The creation of transformation objects that utilize a transformation function discovery process, accessing a rule base of intermediate functions to convert input characters into a desired output format, allowing for automatic identification and generation of transformation functions that can be referenced in source code for processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a programmer manually develops code to manipulate characters into a desired format, then the transformation logic can be customized, but the development process becomes tedious, time-consuming, and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of creating transformation codeVSAvoidtime required for code development

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by allowing the transformation function discovery process to automatically generate transformation functions from input-output examples without requiring manual programming. The computer system performs the work of creating transformation logic autonomously, eliminating the need for programmers to manually develop code for character manipulation tasks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary transformation function discovery process that acts as a mediator between the programmer's requirements (input-output examples) and the actual transformation code. This intermediary automatically synthesizes transformation functions by applying intermediate functions from a rule base, bridging the gap between high-level specifications and low-level implementation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If manual code development is used for text processing, then specific transformation logic can be implemented, but errors and bugs frequently occur due to insufficient handling of various input formats

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorrectness of data transformationVSAvoiddifficulty of debugging and correcting errors

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by using output examples as verification criteria during the transformation function discovery process. The discovered transformation functions are automatically tested against provided input-output pairs, providing immediate feedback on correctness. This feedback mechanism ensures that generated code handles various input formats correctly and reduces bugs by validating transformations before deployment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If programmers develop transformation code to handle all possible inputs, then comprehensive coverage can be achieved, but the complexity and time required for development increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage of input formatsVSAvoidcomplexity of transformation code

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by using a有限 set of intermediate functions from a rule base to build transformation functions. Rather than requiring programmers to manually handle every possible input scenario, the system uses a curated collection of intermediate transformation operations that can be composed to handle diverse inputs. This approach achieves comprehensive coverage through systematic composition of partial transformations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The transformation function discovery process segments the complex task of character manipulation into smaller intermediate functions. Each intermediate function performs a specific transformation operation, and the system automatically composes these segmented operations into complete transformation functions. This segmentation reduces overall complexity by breaking down difficult problems into manageable, reusable components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11036478B2Automated determination of transformation objects

Publication Date: 2021.06.15 SAP SE

AI summary

Technologies are described for creating transformation objects, where a transformation object can make selected changes to a given input that includes a plurality of characters. At least one input example and at least one output example are provided, each including a set of a plurality of sequenced characters. A transformation function discovery process is initiated that accesses a rule base of intermediate functions to develop a transformation function as a set of intermediate functions that convert the input example to the output example. A transformation object is generated that allows access to the transformation function. References to the transformation object can be included in source code and used to convert the given input to an output.