Flexible, modular electronic element patterning method and apparatus for compiling, processing, transmitting, and reporting data and information
First Claim
1. An apparatus with a modular structure for acquiring, storing, analyzing, integrating, organizing, transmitting, and reporting information and/or data and for presenting the information and/or data as digital signals, comprising:
- (a) an electronic execution means providing control over said apparatus via instructions from at least one algorithm, stored in at least one file, comprised of at least one of computer programming code, macros, functions, and formulas;
(b) a user input means for entering commands providing further control over said apparatus, and for entering said digital signals and algorithms into said apparatus;
(c) a memory means for maintaining said digital signals in electronic and/or magnetic form;
(d) a data and information compilation means for acquiring and storing said digital signals;
(e) a storage means for storing at least one of said digital signals and algorithms;
(f) at least one independent record file and/or at least one internal database file providing a means for storing and transmitting said information and/or data referring to a single entity or occurrence;
(g) at least one processing file providing a means for processing said digital signals;
(h) at least one portable report file providing a means for storing and transmitting said digital signals in report ready format;
(i) at least one report format file providing a means for structuring report formats and retrieving information and/or data from external sources;
(j) a presentation means for providing an indication of said operation of said apparatus and for displaying said reports; and
(k) an output means for outputting said reports;
whereby said modular structure provides a substantially flexible and efficient means by which to compile, process, transmit, and report data and information, including the ability to readily modify modules without disrupting the structure or content of the other modules;
the ability to compile a multitude of data efficiently and with minimal sparseness and overhead;
the ability to enter a multitude of data types in a single field;
the ability to utilize independent record files with differing fields;
the ability to track data and information longitudinally;
the ability to integrate, analyze, and organize a multitude of data and information from a multitude of sources utilizing a multitude of algorithms and a multitude of data, information, and computer function and formula patterns;
the ability to transmit raw and processed data and information in a substantially compact and efficient form; and
the ability to generate, with substantial ease and flexibility, reports comprised of a multitude of formats and contents.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for compiling(acquiring and storing), processing (analyzing, integrating, and organizing), transmitting, and reporting data and information, which is comprised of a flexible, modular system that overcomes major limitations of conventional and multidimensional databases. The method and apparatus utilizes computer programming code modules and modules of logically arranged digital signal function and formula formations to :(a) acquire data/information units using modules of query instruction items and response instruction items, which can be presented via a branching-logic process, (b))store the responses to the items in independent record files and internal database files, (c)integrate them with digital signals stored in other sources via an integration file, (d)process the digital signals in the digital signal processing files, (e) produce portable report files, and (f)generate reports utilizing report format tiles.
167 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An apparatus with a modular structure for acquiring, storing, analyzing, integrating, organizing, transmitting, and reporting information and/or data and for presenting the information and/or data as digital signals, comprising:
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(a) an electronic execution means providing control over said apparatus via instructions from at least one algorithm, stored in at least one file, comprised of at least one of computer programming code, macros, functions, and formulas; (b) a user input means for entering commands providing further control over said apparatus, and for entering said digital signals and algorithms into said apparatus; (c) a memory means for maintaining said digital signals in electronic and/or magnetic form; (d) a data and information compilation means for acquiring and storing said digital signals; (e) a storage means for storing at least one of said digital signals and algorithms; (f) at least one independent record file and/or at least one internal database file providing a means for storing and transmitting said information and/or data referring to a single entity or occurrence; (g) at least one processing file providing a means for processing said digital signals; (h) at least one portable report file providing a means for storing and transmitting said digital signals in report ready format; (i) at least one report format file providing a means for structuring report formats and retrieving information and/or data from external sources; (j) a presentation means for providing an indication of said operation of said apparatus and for displaying said reports; and (k) an output means for outputting said reports; whereby said modular structure provides a substantially flexible and efficient means by which to compile, process, transmit, and report data and information, including the ability to readily modify modules without disrupting the structure or content of the other modules;
the ability to compile a multitude of data efficiently and with minimal sparseness and overhead;
the ability to enter a multitude of data types in a single field;
the ability to utilize independent record files with differing fields;
the ability to track data and information longitudinally;
the ability to integrate, analyze, and organize a multitude of data and information from a multitude of sources utilizing a multitude of algorithms and a multitude of data, information, and computer function and formula patterns;
the ability to transmit raw and processed data and information in a substantially compact and efficient form; and
the ability to generate, with substantial ease and flexibility, reports comprised of a multitude of formats and contents. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method utilizing modular processes for acquiring, storing, analyzing, integrating, organizing, transmitting, and reporting information and/or data, and for presenting the information and/or data as digital signals, comprising the steps of utilizing at least one algorithm comprised of at least one of computer programming code, macros, functions, and formulas for:
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(a) obtaining preexisting information and/or data from external databases; (b) obtaining new information and/or data utilizing electronic and/or nonelectronic means; (c) storing said preexisting and new information and/or data as digital signals in at least one independent record file and/or at least one internal database file; (d) processing said digital signals; (e) producing at least one portable report file; and (f) generating at least one output report indicative of said digital signals utilizing at least one report format file; whereby said modular process provides a substantially flexible and efficient means for compiling, processing, transmitting, and reporting data and information, including the ability to readily modified modules without disrupting the structure or content of the other modules, the ability to compile a multitude of data efficiently and with minimal sparseness and overhead, the ability to enter a multitude of data types in a single field, the ability to utilize independent record files with differing fields, the ability to track data and information longitudinally, the ability to integrate, analyze, and organize a multitude of data and information from a multitude of sources utilizing a multitude of algorithms and a multitude of data, information, and computer function and formula patterns, the ability to transmit raw and processed data and information in a substantially compact and efficient form, and the ability to generate, with substantial ease and flexibility, customized reports comprised of a multitude of formats and contents. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification