Intention-based automated conflict prediction and notification system

• US 20020032733A1
• Filed: 07/25/2001
• Published: 03/14/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Howard, Newton
• Original Assignee: Howard, Newton
• Inventors: Howard, Newton
• Granted Patent: US 8,407,281 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/204
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling

Abstract

Input devices such as satellites, field sensors, electronic pads, cellular phones, and/or radio transmitters communicate information representing queries, reports, and/or instructions to an intention determination system that is accessible by a user interface with a display. The intention determination system includes an input module for processing the information received from the input devices; a language converter for converting the information from a natural language format to a restructured form in a position-based format; a database system for storing the received information, the restructured information, and reference information; and a rule-based analyzer for periodically retrieving and processing the stored information. The analyzer sends an alert to the user interface to notify the user if execution of one the instructions creates a potential conflict with the other stored information. The user interface can include a node-based navigation system that allows user customization of how the alert is displayed. Docket No. 5H01.1-011

Claims

1. An automated system for notifying a first user who issued a first instruction and a second user who issued a second instruction of a potential conflict comprising:

an input device for receiving the first instruction entered by the first user;

a passive input device for receiving the second instruction entered by the second user;

an intention determination system for analyzing the instructions, determining if execution of the instructions complies with the users'"'"' intent, and issuing an alert if execution of the instructions creates the potential conflict; and

first and second user interfaces for respectively notifying the first and second user by displaying the alert.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the instructions include text messages.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the instructions include orders issued by military personnel.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the input device includes a device selected from the group consisting of a cellular phone and a radio transmitter.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the passive input device includes a device selected from the group consisting of an electronic pad, a sensor, and a satellite.

6. The system of claim 1 further comprising a printer for creating a hard copy of the alert.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein each of the user interfaces includes a node-based navigation system that allows user customization of how the alert is displayed.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first users issues at least one of the instructions from a remote location.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the intention determination system comprises:

an input module for receiving and processing the instructions;

a language converter for converting the instructions from a natural language format to a position-based format, wherein the conversion generates restructured instructions;

a database for storing both the instructions, the restructured instructions, and reference information; and

a rule-based analyzer for periodically retrieving and processing at least some of the instructions, restructured instructions, and reference information to determine if execution of the instructions creates the potential conflict.

10. An intention determination system for predictive checking of potentially conflicting natural language messages issued by a plurality of users comprising:

an input module for processing the messages received from at least one input device;

a language converter for converting the instructions from a natural language format to a position-based format, wherein the conversion generates restructured messages;

a database for storing both the instructions, the restructured messages, and reference information;

a rule-based analyzer for periodically retrieving and processing at least some of the messages, restructured messages, and reference information wherein the analyzer generates an alert if execution of a first portion of the instructions creates the potential conflict; and

a plurality of user interfaces for respectively notifying the first portion of users of the potential conflict by displaying the alert.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the messages include orders issued by military personnel.

12. The system of claim 10 wherein the input device includes a device selected from the group consisting of a cellular phone, a radio transmitter, an electronic pad, a sensor, and a satellite.

13. The system of claim 10 wherein each of the user interfaces includes a nodebased navigation system that allows user customization of how the alert is displayed.

14. The system of claim 10 wherein at least one of the messages is issued from a remote location.

15. An automated system for predictive notification of potentially conflicting natural language messages issued by a plurality of users comprising:

a plurality of input devices for receiving the messages to determine relevance;

an intention determination system positioned to receive the messages from the input devices comprising;

an input module for receiving and processing the messages;

a language converter for converting the instructions from a natural language format to a position-based format, wherein the conversion generates restructured messages;

a database for storing both the instructions, the restructured messages, and reference information;

a rule-based analyzer for periodically retrieving and processing at least some of the messages, restructured messages, and reference information wherein the analyzer generates an alert if execution of a first portion of the instructions creates the potential conflict;

a plurality of user interfaces for respectively notifying the first portion of users of the potential conflict by displaying the alert.

16. A user interface comprising:

a display panel;

a preferences panel for selecting display preferences for objects that appear in the display panel; and

a node-based navigation system including four navigational nodes representing preferences, areas of operation, units, and fragmentary orders;

wherein the selection of one of the nodes repositions that node in the center.