Method of producing narrative analytical report

• US 4,992,939 A
• Filed: 08/05/1988
• Issued: 02/12/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Brian G. Tyler
• Original Assignee: Brian G. Tyler
• Inventors: Tyler, Brian G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Jerry
• Assistant Examiner(s): BUI, KIM T
• Application Number:
  US07/229,346
• Time in Patent Office: 921 Days
• Field of Search: 364/408, 364/406, 364/401, 364/300
• US Class Current: 704/9
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/18 of spreadsheets form-filling G06F40/174
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/02 Banking, e.g. interest calculation or account maintenance credit or loans G06Q40/03

Abstract

Method of producing a narrative analytical report. The system analyzes information which has been input to a database and, using predetermined phrases intermingled with extracts from the database, produces a narrative analytical report which describes the critical aspects of the database. The system also produces a listing of questions on those aspects of the database which require explanation of clarification. In the final output, the user'"'"'s responses to the questions are integrated into the appropriate areas of the analytical report.

Claims

1. A method of providing a narrative analytical report comprising the steps of:

(a) entering data into a data base in a processing unit;

(b) processing said data into a predetermined format for use in analyzing same;

(c) providing a plurality of predetermined mutually exclusive narrative conclusions which are determined by a predetermined group of mutually exclusive formulas, said narrative conclusions comprising a narrative formed from whole sentences, sentence fragments, words, phrases and/or data base items;

(d) providing a plurality of such predetermined groups, each such groups containing a plurality of said narrative conclusions which are mutually exclusive in such respective groups;

(e) analyzing said data in said predetermined format and based upon such analysis generating a respective predetermined conclusion, if a conclusion applies, from each group for a plurality of said groups; and

(f) providing an output comprising an analytical report generated as a result of said analysis wherein said report is in the narrative form and comprises a plurality of said predetermined narrative conclusions which will depend upon the data entered into the database and the analysis thereof.

2. The method in accordance with claim 1 which includes the following steps:

(g) grouping a plurality of said mutually exclusive narrative conclusions into respective groups directed toward a particular topic which is to be addressed in the analytical report;

(h) selecting from such groups the true such conclusion should any conclusions apply; and

(i) providing an analytical report which includes said conclusion.

3. The method in accordance with claim 2, which includes the following step:

(j) providing a plurality of such groups each of which is directed to a particular topic covered by the analytical report.

4. The method in accordance with claim 3, which includes the following steps:

(k) provide a means for printing out the analytical report; and

(l) printing out the analytical report.

5. A method of providing a narrative analytical report comprising the steps of:

(a) entering data into a data base in a processing unit;

(b) processing said data into a predetermined format for use in analyzing same;

(c) providing a plurality of predetermined mutually exclusive narrative conclusions which are determined by a predetermined group of mutually exclusive formulas, said narrative conclusions comprising a narrative formed from whole sentences, sentence fragments, words, phrases and/or database items;

(d) providing a plurality of such predetermined groups, each such groups containing a plurality of said narrative conclusions which are mutually exclusive in such respective groups;

(e) analyzing said data in said predetermined format and generating a respective predetermined conclusion based upon such analysis, if a conclusion applies, from each group for a plurality of said groups;

(f) analyzing said data in said predetermined format and generating request(s) to the user for additional data therefrom by way of predetermined question or questions selected based upon such analysis;

(g) providing means for entering said additional data into the processing unit; and

(h) providing an output comprising an analytical report generated as a result of said analysis wherein said report is in the narrative form and comprises a plurality of said predetermined narrative conclusions which will depend upon the data entered into the database and the analysis thereof and the additional data entered in response to said generated request(s).

6. The method in accordance with claim 5 which includes the following steps:

(i) grouping a plurality of said mutually exclusive narrative conclusions into group(s) directed toward a particular topic which is to be addressed in the analytical report;

(j) selecting from such groups the true such conclusion should any conclusions apply; and

(k) providing an analytical report which includes said conclusion.

7. The method in accordance with claim 6, which includes the following step:

(1) providing a plurality of such group each of which is directed to a particular topic covered by the analytical report.

8. The method in accordance with claim 7, which includes the following steps:

(m) providing a means for printing out the analytical report; and

(n) printing out the analytical report.

9. The method in accordance with claim 8, which includes the following step:

(o) integrating the additional data entered in response to said request(s) generated with the plurality of predetermined conclusions in the analytical report.

10. The method in accordance with claim 5, which includes the following step:

(i) integrating the additional data entered in response to said request(s) generated with the plurality of predetermined conclusions in the analytical report.

11. A method of providing a narrative analytical report of banking/financial services and the like, comprising the steps of:

(a) entering data into a database in the format of a banking-type spread sheet in a processing unit;

(b) processing said data within a banking-type spread sheet;

(c) accessing selected items of data in said banking-type spread sheet;

(d) providing a plurality of predetermined mutually exclusive narrative conclusions which are determined by a predetermined group of mutually exclusive formulas, said narrative conclusions comprising a narrative formed from whole sentences, sentence fragments, words, phrases and/or database items;

(e) providing a plurality of such groups containing a plurality of said narrative conclusions;

(f) analyzing said data and based upon such analysis assigning a respective predetermined conclusion from each group for a plurality of said groups; and

(g) providing an output of a financial analytical report resulting from said analysis wherein said financial report is in the narrative form and comprises a plurality of said predetermined narrative conclusions which will depend upon the data entered into the data base and the analysis thereof.

12. The method in accordance with claim 11 which includes the following steps:

(h) grouping a plurality of said mutually exclusive narrative conclusions into a group directed toward a particular topic which is to be addressed in the financial report;

(i) selecting from such group the true such conclusion should any conclusions apply; and

(j) providing a financial analytical report which includes said conclusion.

13. The method in accordance with claim 12, which includes the following step:

(k) providing a plurality of such groups each of which is directed to a particular topic.

14. The method in accordance with claim 13, which includes the following steps:

(l) analyzing said data in said format and generating request(s) to the user for additional data therefrom by way of predetermined question or questions selected based upon such analysis;

(m) providing means for entering said additional data into the processing unit; and

(n) providing in the output the data entered in response to said generated request(s).

15. The method in accordance with claim 14, which includes the following steps:

(o) provide a means for printing out the financial analytical report; and

(p) printing out the financial analytical report.

16. A method of providing a narrative output comprises the steps of:

(a) entering data into a data base in a processing unit;

(b) processing said data into a predetermined format for use in analyzing same;

(c) providing at least one predetermined narrative phrase which is determined by a predetermined group of mutually exclusive formulas, said narrative phrase comprising a narrative formed from whole sentences, sentence fragments, words, phrases and/or database items;

(d) analyzing said data in said predetermined format and based upon such analysis generating a predetermined phrase; and

(e) providing an output generated as a result of said analysis wherein said output is in the narrative form and includes said predetermined narrative phrase which will depend on the data entered into the database and the analysis thereof.