Data processing: artificial intelligence – Plural processing systems
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-12
2001-10-16
Chaki, Kakali (Department: 2122)
Data processing: artificial intelligence
Plural processing systems
C706S011000, C706S015000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06304861
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to network collaboration. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods and apparatus for enabling network resource groups to collaborate in decision making. Network resource groups include groups of users interconnected by a common computer network.
Current approaches to problem solving have focused upon decision making by individuals or have focused upon the principles of discovery and intuition in order to create solutions. Such approaches typically guide the user through a series of steps that focus the user's attention upon conceptual solutions the user may be overlooking. For example, one approach identifies contradictions between objectives within a user's project and highlights them to the user, another approach uses word association games to attempt to spur creativity in the user, another presents unexpected scenarios to the user to attempt to stimulate creative solutions from the user, yet another utilizes neural networks to attempt to generate alternative solutions to the user, and yet others guide the user to make decisions based upon options and criteria set by the user. Each of these approaches attempt to aid the user in solving problems. None of these approaches, however aid groups of users in making decisions about which solution among possible solutions to a problem should be used.
What is needed are methods and apparatus for enabling groups of users to collaborate in decision making.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention discloses methods and apparatus for enabling groups of users to collaborate in decision making.
According to one embodiment of the present invention a method implemented on a network of computers for allowing a plurality of users to collaborate in decision making to solve a problem, includes the steps of processing, at a central server, a group of proposals for solving the problem, submitting the group of proposals to the plurality of users at remote clients, and thereafter receiving, at the central server from the plurality of users, selections of proposals from the group of proposals. The method also includes the steps of determining, at the central server, a narrowed group of proposals in response to the selections of proposals, communicating the narrowed group of proposals to the plurality of users at the remote clients, each proposal in the narrowed group of proposals including sets of statements, and thereafter receiving, at the central server from one of the plurality of users, suggestions for modifying proposals in the narrowed group of proposals. The steps of determining, at the central server, a modified narrowed group of proposals in response to the suggestions, submitting the modified narrowed group of proposals to the plurality of users at remote clients, each proposal in the modified narrowed group of proposals including a modified set of statements and thereafter receiving, at the central server from the plurality of users, selections of statements from the modified sets of statements of the modified narrowed group of proposals are also included. The method also includes the step of consolidating the selection of suggestions into a final proposed solution for the problem.
According to another embodiment of the present invention a computer system including a computer program for allowing a plurality of users to collaborate in decision making of a problem, includes a computer-readable memory including: code that processes a group of proposals for solving the problem, code that submits the group of proposals to the plurality of users at remote clients, and code that receives selections of proposals from the group of proposals. The computer-readable memory also includes code that determines, at the central server, a narrowed group of proposals in response to the selections of proposals, code that communicates the narrowed group of proposals to the plurality of users at the remote clients, each proposal in the narrowed group of proposals including sets of statements, and code that receives suggestions for modifying proposals in the narrowed group of proposals. Code that determines, at the central server, a modified narrowed group of proposals in response to the suggestions, code that submits the modified narrowed group of proposals to the plurality of users at remote clients, each proposal in the modified narrowed group of proposals including a modified set of statements, and code that receives selections of statements from the modified sets of statements of the modified narrowed group of proposals are also included. The computer-readable memory also includes code that consolidates the selection of suggestions into a working proposal for the problem.
According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a computer system configured to allow a plurality of users to collaborate in decision making, includes a processor for processing a group of proposals for solving a problem, first submission means for submitting the group of proposals to the plurality of users at remote clients, and a first receiver for receiving, from the plurality of users, selections of proposals from the group of proposals. The computer system also includes first determining means for determining, a narrowed group of proposals in response to the selections of proposals, a communicator for communicating the narrowed group of proposals to the plurality of users at the remote clients, each proposal in the narrowed group of proposals including sets of statements, and a second receiver for receiving, from one of the plurality of users, suggestions for modifying proposals in the narrowed group of proposals. Second determining means for determining, a modified narrowed group of proposals in response to the suggestions, second submission means for submitting the modified narrowed group of proposals to the plurality of users at remote clients, each proposal in the modified narrowed group of proposals including a modified set of statements,and a third receiver for receiving, from the plurality of users, selections of statements from the modified sets of statements of the modified narrowed group of proposals are also included. The computer system also includes consolidating means for consolidating the selection of suggestions into a network collaboration solution for the problem.
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Gail Kay, “Effective
Chaki Kakali
Khatri Anil
Recipio, Inc.
Townsend and Townsend and Crew
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