Unstructured Content Indexing via Vector Splitting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional databases lack efficient indexing techniques for unstructured content, such as multimedia and text, making it difficult to search and query large collections of unstructured data effectively.

Innovation Solution

The method employs inner product spaces to represent unstructured content as vectors, allowing for efficient indexing and similarity-based storage structures, where vectors are split using a splitter determined by the mean and median of deviation values, enabling log(N) time complexity for insertion and querying.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional database indexing techniques are used on unstructured content, then the database structure remains simple, but the ability to efficiently search and query unstructured content is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesearch efficiencyVSAvoidindexing structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary indexing layer that sits between the conventional database and unstructured content. This intermediary structure uses features extracted from unstructured content (such as image features, text features, audio features) to create indexed representations that can be efficiently queried, while the original unstructured content remains stored in the conventional database without modification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms unstructured content into structured feature representations by extracting relevant parameters and characteristics. For example, images are converted to feature vectors, text is converted to term frequencies or embeddings, and audio is converted to spectral features. This parameter transformation enables the application of conventional indexing techniques to previously unindexable content.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If manual feature tagging is applied to unstructured content, then query capability improves, but the effort and time required increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequery capabilityVSAvoidtagging time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service indexing by automatically extracting features from unstructured content using computational algorithms. Instead of requiring manual tagging, the system autonomously analyzes content characteristics, extracts relevant features, and creates indexed representations. For example, automated image recognition algorithms extract visual features, natural language processing extracts text features, and audio analysis extracts sound features, eliminating the need for human intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical process of manual feature tagging with automated computational systems. Machine learning models, pattern recognition algorithms, and data processing systems substitute human operators, transforming the tagging process from a manual, time-consuming activity to an automated, scalable process that can handle large volumes of unstructured content efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If the entire collection is rescanned to add new features, then comprehensive coverage is achieved, but the processing time becomes impractical for large collections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeature coverageVSAvoidre-tagging efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary feature extraction and indexing when content is initially ingested into the system. By pre-processing and extracting features at the time of content addition, the system prepares the data for future queries without requiring re-processing. This preliminary action ensures that when new query requirements arise, the pre-extracted features can be utilized or incrementally updated rather than requiring a complete re-scan of the entire collection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a dynamic indexing system that can adapt and update features incrementally based on query patterns and content changes. Rather than static, comprehensive re-tagging, the system dynamically adjusts by updating only the necessary portions of the index. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain feature coverage while minimizing processing time through selective, incremental updates rather than complete re-processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS7650320B2Method and system for efficient indexed storage for unstructured content
Publication Date: 2010.01.19 NAHAVA
  • US7650320B2 patent drawing
  • US7650320B2 patent drawing
  • US7650320B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method and apparatus for efficient indexed storage for unstructured content have been disclosed.