Answer collection and retrieval system governed by a pay-off meter

• US 6,131,085 A
• Filed: 08/28/1996
• Issued: 10/10/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Michael T. Rossides
• Original Assignee: Michael T. Rossides
• Inventors: Rossides, Michael T
• Primary Examiner(s): Stamber, Eric W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rhodes, Jason W.
• Application Number:
  US08/706,762
• Time in Patent Office: 1,504 Days
• Field of Search: 705/1, 705/400, 379/112, 379/114, 379/121, 379/126, 707/1, 707/3, 707/104
• US Class Current: 705/1.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0014 for vending, access and use of specific services not covered anywhere else in G07F17/00 meter-controlled dispensing of liquid, gas or electricity G07F15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/16 for devices exhibiting advertisements, announcements, pictures or the like
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99931 Database or file accessing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching

Abstract

The invention is a set of processes for improving the interface of a self-organizing database. This type of database stores both questions and answers. The improved interface processes enable a user who has found a (first) question in the database to enter a new (second) question and label that second question as "more specific" than the first. When a user presses an "enter more specific question" command, the system enables the user to enter a question and then stores the question and labels it as more specific than the first, and links the two questions in the database. Then, when any user has found the first question, the system enables him to "go to" the linked, more specific question by entering a "go to more specific question" command. Further, when a user has found a question, the system can present a list of all the more specific questions linked to that question. The system also enables a user to find a first question and then enter a new (second) question and label it as a synonym of the first. The system then links the two questions as synonyms in its database. Further, when any user has found a question, the system can present a list of all the linked "synonym" questions and can enable the user to "go to" a linked synonym question by selecting it.

Claims

1. An answer collection and retrieval system comprising in combination the following elements and steps:

a computer and database having;

input means for inputting questions and answers corresponding to said questions, along with user identification information,

output means for outputting said corresponding answers, along with projected pay-off estimates,

memory means for storing said questions and corresponding answers,

processing means for comparing questions, finding corresponding answers, registering times of inputs, calculating formulas and registering charges and payments due to users,

said computer performing the following initial steps;

a. registering said user'"'"'s identification information in said database,

b. registering user'"'"'s preference in supplying or retrieving an answer,

said computer performing the following steps upon the inputting of a question,

c. if the user prefers to supply said corresponding answer, looking for said corresponding answer in said database,

c1. if corresponding answer is found, outputting a message telling the user that the answer is already in the database,

c2. if no corresponding answer is found, allowing the user to input the answer, storing the corresponding answer and registering that royalties are due to the user when said answer is requested,

d. if the user prefers to retrieve answer corresponding to said question,

d1. registering time and date said question is inputted,

d2. searching to find if the answer corresponding to said question is in the database,

d2a. if corresponding answer is in the database, outputting the answer, registering a charge due by said user who inputted the question and a royalty due to the user who supplied the answer, adding one to the number of said questions, calculating a pay-off formula that projects the estimated royalties due to a user who inputs the correct answer corresponding to said question, and outputting the resulting pay-off estimate,

d2b. if no corresponding answer is in the database, checking if said question is stored in the database,

d2b1. if no, storing the question and setting the number of said questions to one, and calculating said pay-off formula,

d2b2. if yes, adding one to the number of said questions, and calculating said pay-off formula,

d2b3. outputting the resulting pay-off estimate,

said computer also performing the following steps;

presenting a user who has found a first question with the option to enter a new, more specific question,

and if the user selects the option to enter a more specific question,

e. entering the second question,

f. storing the second question,

g. linking it in the database to the first question,

h. labeling the second question as more specific than the first,

and further,

when a user has found a question, presenting a list of all the linked, more specific questions, and presenting the user with the option to select a more specific question from this list, and if the user selects a more specific question, presenting this question to the user.

2. An answer collection and retrieval system comprising in combination the following elements and steps:

a computer and database having;

input means for inputting questions and answers corresponding to said questions, along with user identification information,

output means for outputting said corresponding answers, along with projected pay-off estimates,

memory means for storing said questions and corresponding answers,

processing means for comparing questions, finding corresponding answers, registering times of inputs, calculating formulas and registering charges and payments due to users,

said computer performing the following initial steps;

a. registering said user'"'"'s identification information in said database,

b. registering user'"'"'s preference in supplying or retrieving an answer,

said computer performing the following steps upon the inputting of a question,

c. if the user prefers to supply said corresponding answer, looking for said corresponding answer in said database,

c1. if corresponding answer is found, outputting a message telling the user that the answer is already in the database,

c2. if no corresponding answer is found, allowing the user to input the answer, storing the corresponding answer and registering that royalties are due to the user when said answer is requested,

d. if the user prefers to retrieve answer corresponding to said question,

d1. registering time and date said question is inputted,

d2. searching to find if the answer corresponding to said question is in the database,

d2a. if corresponding answer is in the database, outputting the answer, registering a charge due by said user who inputted the question and a royalty due to the user who supplied the answer, adding one to the number of said questions, calculating a pay-off formula that projects the estimated royalties due to a user who inputs the correct answer corresponding to said question, and outputting the resulting pay-off estimate,

d2b. if no corresponding answer is in the database, checking if said question is stored in the database,

d2b1. if no, storing the question and setting the number of said questions to one, and calculating said pay-off formula,

d2b2. if yes, adding one to the number of said questions, and calculating said pay-off formula,

d2b3. outputting the resulting pay-off estimate,

said computer also performing the following steps;

presenting a user who has found a first question with the option to enter a new, synonym question,

and if the user selects the option to enter a synonym question,

e. entering the second question,

f. storing the second question,

g. linking it in the database to the first question,

h. labeling the second question as a synonym to the first,

and further,

when a user has found a question, presenting a list of all the linked, synonym questions, and presenting the user with the option to select a synonym question from this list, and if the user selects a synonym question, presenting this question to the user.