System for delivering scenario specific, problem solving, decision support from non-intelligent computer systems

• US 20030037018A1
• Filed: 08/01/2002
• Published: 02/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Martin P. Entwistle
• Original Assignee: Palo Alto Medical Foundation For Health Care Research and Education (Sutter Health)
• Inventors: Entwistle, Martin Patrick
• Granted Patent: US 7,493,299 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 706/48
• CPC Class Codes: G06N 20/00 Machine learning
• CPC Class Codes: G06N 5/022 Knowledge engineering; Knowledge acquisition
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

A computational decision making system is provided for delivering scenario specific information. Each decision making scenario has a number of variables associated with it and variable values. The system matches a set of input variables to the grouped data objects to find a match or the closest matching grouped data object or objects. Decision information embodying the outcome of a decision making process is associated with each grouped data object and the said decision information associated with the best matching grouped data object or objects is outputted.

Claims

1. A computational decision making system suitable for delivering scenario specific information, the decision making system including a matching function to compute a match or closest match between a set of inputted variable information with a plurality of predefined sets of variables, each associated with a predefined scenario, wherein each predefined set of variables is encapsulated and retained by the system as a grouped data object and wherein the scenario specific information is selected for delivery dependent on which grouped data object or objects has variables that match or most closely match the inputted set of variable information.

2. The computational decision making system of claim 1, including a data entry function to allow creation and retention of further data objects that define additional scenarios in response to the occurrence of one or more particular scenarios.

3. A method of performing a decision making process using a computational system, the method including the steps of:

identifying a plurality of discrete decision making scenarios;

identifying a plurality of decision variables and their values which are relevant as affecting the outcome of a decision making process in relation to each decision making scenario;

collecting the decision variables into one or more computer readable, logically grouped decision data objects;

creating a knowledge base, said knowledge base containing the decision data objects and a set of corresponding decision information embodying the outcome of the decision making process;

receiving through a data input means, input data representative of the values of a plurality of input variables, wherein the input variables correspond to the decision variables;

structuring the input data to form an input data object that has a structure complementary to the structure of the decision data objects;

computing a best matching decision data object to the input data object by comparison of the decision variables and input variables associated with the decision data object and input data object and identifying the corresponding decision information to the best matching decision data object or objects.

4. The method of performing a decision making process of claim 3, wherein said decision data object is structured and handled according to object-oriented or object-relational methodologies.

5. The method of performing a decision making process of claim 3 or 4, wherein if a plurality of equally best matching decision data objects are computed, the method further includes the step of requesting the input of at least one additional input variable and computing which decision data object or objects best match the input data object including the at least one more variable.

6. The method of performing a decision making process of any one of claims 3 to 5, further including the step of passing the input data object to the knowledge base, wherein the knowledge base is structured so that when it is queried using an input data object, a further data object or objects are returned containing relevant decision information.

7. The method of performing a decision making process of any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein each decision making scenario corresponds to a particular medical diagnosis or condition, or to a combination of medical diagnoses or conditions.

8. The method of performing a decision making process of any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the best matching decision data object is computed by means of multivariable pattern matching or filtering.

9. A decision making system including:

a knowledge base, said knowledge base containing a plurality of decision data objects, wherein each of said decision data objects includes a plurality of decision variables, which are identified as relevant in affecting the outcome of a decision making process in relation to a decision making scenario and wherein said knowledge base includes a set of decision information embodying the outcome of the decision making process corresponding to each decision data object;

data input means suitable for receiving data indicative of the value of a plurality of input variables of the same type as the decision variables;

a processing means; and

an instruction set readable by the processing means including instructions to cause the processing means to structure the input variables as a grouped input data object, compute a matching or closest matching decision data object or objects to the input data object through comparison of input variables with decision variables and output decision information corresponding to the matching or closest matching decision data object or objects.

10. The decision making system of claim 9, wherein the set of decision information is structured as a plurality of data objects.

11. The decision making system of either claim 9 or 10, wherein the decision information is stored in a hierarchy, whereby selected portions of the decision information are linked to further detail, and the further detail is selectively outputted or selectively extracted from the output for display.

12. The decision making system of any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the decision information includes a combination of media, including any two or more of text, tables, graphics, and sound.

13. The decision making system of any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the knowledge base contains distinct decision data objects having similar variable values or overlapping variable ranges, wherein each set of decision information corresponding to each decision data object having similar variable values or overlapping variable ranges, embodies an outcome of a decision that may or may not overlap with one another, but do not conflict with each other.

14. The decision making system of any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein if a plurality of equally matching decision data objects are computed, the system requests the input of at least one more variable and computes which decision data object or objects best matches the input data object including the at least one more variable.

15. The decision making system of any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein each decision data object belongs to a class, wherein each class is determined by the type or value of variables required to identify a match with the decision data objects and wherein the knowledge base is structured hierarchically according to class.

16. The decision making system of any one of claims 9 to 15, wherein the knowledge base is implemented using any one or a combination of object, object-relational and relational bases having an appropriate structure.

17. The decision making system of any one of claims 9 to 16, wherein the decision making scenario corresponds to a particular medical diagnosis or condition, or to a combination of medical diagnoses or conditions.

18. The decision making system of any one of claims 9 to 17 including:

a data input means which presents an input form to collect the value of input variables, wherein the processing means extracts the variable values from the input form to create the input data object or objects;

a search engine or engines which pass the input data object or objects to the knowledge base and return the search output; and

an output form through which at least the decision information is communicated.

19. The decision making system of claim 18, wherein the search engine operates by means of multivariable pattern matching, or filtering.

20. The decision making system of any one of claims 9 to 19, wherein the system includes coding or structure which allows the output to be transmitted or interrogated by one or more third party applications.

21. The decision making system of any one of claims 9 to 19, wherein the system includes an editorial tool adapted to allow the input, management, update and customisation of the knowledge base.

22. The decision making system of claim 20, wherein the editorial tool organises information in the knowledge base so that the decision data object fits the object structure which is defined for each input form.

23. The decision making system of any one of claims 9 to 21, programmed in such a way that the knowledge base is editable without necessarily reprogramming or recompiling any other elements of the system.

25. The method of creating a decision making system in a computational system of claim 23, wherein the method includes structuring and handling the decision data objects in a computational environment according to object oriented or object relational methodologies.

24. A method of creating a decision making system in a computational system, the method including the steps of:

identifying a plurality of discrete decision making scenarios;

identifying a plurality of decision variables which are identified as relevant in affecting the outcome of a decision making process in relation to each decision making scenario;

collecting the decision variables into one or more computer readable logically grouped decision data objects, said one or more decision data objects structured and handled according to object oriented or object relational methodologies;

creating a knowledge base, said knowledge base containing the decision data objects and a set of corresponding decision information embodying the outcome of the decision making process;

providing a data input means suitable for receiving data indicative of the value of a plurality of input variables;

providing a computer readable instruction set suitable for causing a computer processing means to structure the input variables as a grouped input data object, compute a matching or closest matching decision data object or objects to the input data object and output the corresponding decision information to the matching or closest matching decision data object or objects.

26. A method of creating a decision making system substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

27. A decision making system substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

28. A method of making a decision using a computational system substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.