Technology Opportunity

Natural Language Processing Text Summarization Software

SSC Pacifics machine learning algorithm can automate data entry,

replacing manual input in document

management systems

The US Navy seeks licensees to commercialize a unique algorithm that provides

improvements in natural language text summarization

Background & Technology: Text summarizers are software programs used to transform a

body of text into a generally shorter and more concise body of

text. Such programs assist with activities such as news

reporting, financial reporting, electronic health record keeping,

and legal analysis. Summarization is a hard problem in Natural

Language Processing (NLP) because, to do it properly, one

has to really understand the point of the text. Thus, text

summarizers typically require a user to program the

summarization rules into the software to make the summarizer

specific to an application domain. This process is time

consuming, error-prone, burdensome, and requires a

proficiency in knowledge-based programming. Furthermore,

traditional text summarizers do not offer the flexibility to adapt

to the writing style of particular individuals.

Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific (SSC

Pacific) in San Diego has developed an advanced algorithm

that can automatically learn summarization rules based on

user input and implement the summarization rules without user

programming. The Navy algorithm generates text summarization rules in real-time. It then anticipates the

users data entry and completes sentences and phrases when it recognizes a pattern. This results in lower cycle-time and higher enterprise quality, which enables core processes to operate at higher productivity.

Benefits:

Reduce Costs: The machine learning algorithm facilitates data entry and reduces transcription costs

Improve Quality: The software automatically summarizes text in real-time based on previous usage patterns - one of the best opportunities to improve data quality

Improve Productivity: Speed up data-entry tasks

Status and Opportunity:

Issued US patent 7,925,496 is available for license.

The algorithm has been developed and tested for a database record entry application.

Further development is possible under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA).

U.S. Navy inventor and licensing contacts are available through TechLink. Additional details and information available at techlinkcenter.org/textsummarizer

For more information, contact:

Brian Metzger (406) 994-7782, brian.metzger@montana.edu

DoD Partnership Intermediary

Per 15 USC 3715