SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPTIMAL AND ADAPTIVE PROCESS UNIFICATION OF DECISION SUPPORT FUNCTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH MANAGING A CHAOTIC EVENT

• US 20080177687A1
• Filed: 09/28/2007
• Published: 07/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: X Corp. (f/k/a Twitter, Inc.) (X Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Kraemer, James R., Friedlander, Robert R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,698,246 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 706/46
• CPC Class Codes: G06N 7/08 using chaos models or non-linear system models

Abstract

A method for displaying information related to a chaotic event. A mathematical optimization algorithm is used to select a first optimal decision set for a user. The mathematical optimization algorithm takes as input a decision template, chaotic event information, at least one constraint, and a user profile. A heuristic algorithm is used to eliminate a first subset of decisions. The first subset of decisions is in the first optimal decision set. A second optimal decision set is formed. The second optimal decision set comprises the first optimal decision set less the first subset of decisions. The mathematical optimization algorithm is used to select a sequence in which decisions in the second optimal decision set are to be considered. The mathematical optimization algorithm takes as input the second optimal decision set, the decision template, the chaotic event information, the at least one constraint, and the user profile. The sequence is stored.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method for displaying information related to a chaotic event, the computer implemented method comprising:

using a mathematical optimization algorithm to select a first optimal decision set for a user, wherein the mathematical optimization algorithm takes as input a decision template, chaotic event information, at least one constraint, and a user profile; and

using a heuristic algorithm to eliminate a first subset of decisions, wherein the first subset of decisions is in the first optimal decision set, wherein a second optimal decision set is formed, and wherein the second optimal decision set comprises the first optimal decision set less the first subset of decisions;

using the mathematical optimization algorithm to select a sequence in which decisions in the second optimal decision set are to be considered, wherein the mathematical optimization algorithm takes as input the second optimal decision set, the decision template, the chaotic event information, the at least one constraint, and the user profile; and

storing the sequence.

2. The computer implemented method of claim 1 further comprising:

displaying the sequence.

3. The computer implemented method of claim 2 wherein displaying is performed on a display window and wherein the method further comprises:

altering the display window based on the user profile.

4. The computer implemented method of claim 2 further comprising:

adjusting how the sequence is displayed based on a limitation of a particular display used by the user.

5. The computer implemented method of claim 1 wherein when using the mathematical optimization algorithm to select the sequence, the mathematical optimization engine further takes as input the first subset of decisions.

6. The computer implemented method of claim 1 further comprising:

responsive to at least one of a received decision and a change in at least one of the decision template, the chaotic event information, the at least one constraint, and the user profile, reiterating the mathematical optimization algorithm to select a third optimal decision set for the user, wherein the mathematical optimization algorithm receives as further input the at least one of the decision and the change;

using a heuristic algorithm to eliminate a second subset of decisions, wherein the second subset of decisions is in the third optimal decision set, wherein a fourth optimal decision set is formed, and wherein the fourth optimal decision set comprises the third optimal decision set less the second subset of decisions;

using the mathematical optimization algorithm to select a second sequence in which decisions in the fourth optimal decision set are to be considered, wherein the mathematical optimization algorithm takes as input the fourth optimal decision set, the decision template, the chaotic event information, the at least one constraint, and the user profile; and

storing the second sequence.

7. The computer implemented method of claim 1 wherein the user profile comprises at least one element selected from the group consisting of:

a skill of the user, user input, an education of the user, a limitation of the user, a cultural fact regarding the user, a political influence of the user, a rank of a user, a name of the user, a subject area of interest of the user, a priority of the user, and a hierarchy of users, and wherein the at least one element influences how the mathematical optimization algorithm selects the first optimal decision set and thereafter the second optimal decision set.

8. The computer implemented method of claim 1 wherein the at least one constraint is selected from the group consisting of a user profile, a priority, a list of priorities, a stored decision template, a previously determined subset of decisions, a mathematical characterization of a political consideration, available resources, a communication method, a time allowed to perform a task, risk tolerance, data quality, data reliability, a physical measurement related to the chaotic event, a monetary limitation, a classified information policy, a security requirement, and a hazardous material restriction.

9. The computer implemented method of claim 1 wherein the first subset of decisions comprises unsatisfactory decisions as determined by at least one user

10. The computer implemented method of claim 1 further comprising:

using the mathematical optimization algorithm to further subdivide the second optimal decision set into a plurality of subsets of decisions;

assigning corresponding ones of the plurality of subsets of decisions to corresponding decision makers of a plurality of decision makers, wherein assigning is based on corresponding user profiles of the plurality of decision makers; and

displaying the corresponding ones of the plurality of subsets of decisions on corresponding displays of the corresponding decision makers.

11. The computer implemented method of claim 1 further comprising:

responsive to receipt of a fact, reiterating the mathematical optimization algorithm to select a third optimal decision set for the user, wherein the mathematical optimization algorithm receives as further input the fact;

using a heuristic algorithm to eliminate a second subset of decisions, wherein the second subset of decisions is in the third optimal decision set, wherein a fourth optimal decision set is formed, and wherein the fourth optimal decision set comprises the third optimal decision set less the second subset of decisions;

using the mathematical optimization algorithm to select a second sequence in which decisions in the fourth optimal decision set are to be considered, wherein the mathematical optimization algorithm takes as input the fourth optimal decision set, the fact, the decision template, the chaotic event information, the at least one constraint, and the user profile; and

storing the second sequence.

12. The computer implemented method of claim 10 wherein the fact is selected from the group consisting of:

a change in the chaotic event information, a removal of a constraint, an addition of a constraint, an addition of a new decision maker, a removal of a decision maker, a change in rank of a decision maker, a decision rendered by a decision maker, user input, and combinations thereof.

13. A computer program product comprising:

a computer usable medium having computer usable program code for displaying information related to a chaotic event, the computer program product including;

computer usable program code for using a mathematical optimization algorithm to select a first optimal decision set for a user, wherein the mathematical optimization algorithm takes as input a decision template, chaotic event information, at least one constraint, and a user profile; and

computer usable program code for using a heuristic algorithm to eliminate a first subset of decisions, wherein the first subset of decisions is in the first optimal decision set, wherein a second optimal decision set is formed, and wherein the second optimal decision set comprises the first optimal decision set less the first subset of decisions;

computer usable program code for using the mathematical optimization algorithm to select a sequence in which decisions in the second optimal decision set are to be considered, wherein the mathematical optimization algorithm takes as input the second optimal decision set, the decision template, the chaotic event information, the at least one constraint, and the user profile; and

computer usable program code for storing the sequence.

14. The computer program product of claim 13 further comprising:

computer usable program code for displaying the sequence, wherein displaying is performed on a display window;

computer usable program code for altering the display window based on the user profile; and

computer usable program code for adjusting how the sequence is displayed based on a limitation of a particular display used by the user.

15. The computer program product of claim 13 further comprising:

computer usable program code for, responsive to at least one of a received decision and a change in at least one of the decision template, the chaotic event information, the at least one constraint, and the user profile, reiterating the mathematical optimization algorithm to select a third optimal decision set for the user, wherein the mathematical optimization algorithm receives as further input the at least one of the decision and the change;

computer usable program code for using a heuristic algorithm to eliminate a second subset of decisions, wherein the second subset of decisions is in the third optimal decision set, wherein a fourth optimal decision set is formed, and wherein the fourth optimal decision set comprises the third optimal decision set less the second subset of decisions;

computer usable program code for using the mathematical optimization algorithm to select a second sequence in which decisions in the fourth optimal decision set are to be considered, wherein the mathematical optimization algorithm takes as input the fourth optimal decision set, the decision template, the chaotic event information, the at least one constraint, and the user profile; and

computer usable program code for storing the second sequence.

16. The computer program product of claim 13 wherein:

the user profile comprises at least one element selected from the group consisting of;

a skill of the user, user input, an education of the user, a limitation of the user, a cultural fact regarding the user, a political influence of the user, and a rank of a user, a name of the user, a subject area of interest of the user, a priority of the user, and a hierarchy of users, and wherein the at least one element influences how the mathematical optimization algorithm selects the first optimal decision set and thereafter the second optimal decision set; and

the at least one constraint is selected from the group consisting of a user profile, a priority, a list of priorities, a stored decision template, a previously determined subset of decisions, a mathematical characterization of a political consideration, available resources, a communication method, a time allowed to perform a task, risk tolerance, data quality, data reliability, a physical measurement related to the chaotic event, a monetary limitation, a classified information policy, a security requirement, and a hazardous material restriction.

17. The computer program product of claim 13 further comprising:

computer usable program code for using the mathematical optimization algorithm to further subdivide the second optimal decision set into a plurality of subsets of decisions;

computer usable program code for assigning corresponding ones of the plurality of subsets of decisions to corresponding decision makers of a plurality of decision makers, wherein assigning is based on corresponding user profiles of the plurality of decision makers; and

computer usable program code for displaying the corresponding ones of the plurality of subsets of decisions on corresponding displays of the corresponding decision makers.

18. The computer program product of claim 13 further comprising:

computer usable program code for, responsive to receipt of a fact, reiterating the mathematical optimization algorithm to select a third optimal decision set for the user, wherein the mathematical optimization algorithm receives as further input the fact;

computer usable program code for using a heuristic algorithm to eliminate a second subset of decisions, wherein the second subset of decisions is in the third optimal decision set, wherein a fourth optimal decision set is formed, and wherein the fourth optimal decision set comprises the third optimal decision set less the second subset of decisions;

computer usable program code for using the mathematical optimization algorithm to select a second sequence in which decisions in the fourth optimal decision set are to be considered, wherein the mathematical optimization algorithm takes as input the fourth optimal decision set, the fact, the decision template, the chaotic event information, the at least one constraint, and the user profile; and

computer usable program code for storing the second sequence.

19. The computer program product of claim 18 wherein the fact is selected from the group consisting of:

a change in the chaotic event information, a removal of a constraint, an addition of a constraint, an addition of a new decision maker, a removal of a decision maker, a change in rank of a decision maker, a decision rendered by a decision maker, user input, and combinations thereof.

20. A data processing system comprising:

a bus;

at least one processor coupled to the bus;

a computer usable medium coupled to the bus, wherein the computer usable medium contains a set of instructions for displaying information related to a chaotic event, wherein the at least one processor is adapted to carry out the set of instructions to;

use a mathematical optimization algorithm to select a first optimal decision set for a user, wherein the mathematical optimization algorithm takes as input a decision template, chaotic event information, at least one constraint, and a user profile; and

use a heuristic algorithm to eliminate a first subset of decisions, wherein the first subset of decisions is in the first optimal decision set, wherein a second optimal decision set is formed, and wherein the second optimal decision set comprises the first optimal decision set less the first subset of decisions;

use the mathematical optimization algorithm to select a sequence in which decisions in the second optimal decision set are to be considered, wherein the mathematical optimization algorithm takes as input the second optimal decision set, the decision template, the chaotic event information, the at least one constraint, and the user profile; and

store the sequence.