Method and system for measuring and valuing contributions by group members to the achievement of a group goal

• US 6,496,812 B1
• Filed: 05/13/2000
• Issued: 12/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Object Power, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Object Power, Inc.
• Inventors: Campaigne, Philip James, Campaigne, Crystal
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hirl, Joseph P.
• Application Number:
  US09/571,874
• Time in Patent Office: 948 Days
• Field of Search: 706/46, 706/45, 706/12, 706/16, 706/15
• US Class Current: 706/16
• CPC Class Codes: G06N 3/02 Neural networks

Abstract

A method and system for human or computer-based group-members to interact with peers to craft an action sequence to achieve a group goal. Method includes means for guiding group members on how to integrate their activities in pursuit of a specific pre-defined group goal, when given only partial understanding of how they can achieve said goal. The method identifies, selects, values and integrates group-member actions that are causal to a group achievement. The system incorporates the method along with means for recording, assigning value and reporting contributions by group members. System also includes an apparatus consisting of head-mounted microphone, voice recognition software and miniature video screen in field of view to aid data collection in applications where events occur in rapid sequence. For computer-based group members, system includes unsupervised neural network embodied in a computer mechanism and means to evaluate the instant activity and immediately relate processed information to guide the integration of group members actions.

Claims

1. A method for identifying, selecting, valuing and integrating group-member actions that are causal to a group achievement, comprising:

a) means for defining and valuing group member action-types,

b) means for selecting group-member actions that are causal to group achievement,

c) means for assigning the value of a group achievement to contributing group-member actions,

d) means for calculating TEAMSHARE on an aggregate basis and storing and retrieving it from a database,

e) means for guiding team members on how to integrate their activities in pursuit of specific pre-defined group goals, when given only partial understanding of how they can achieve said goal.

2. A system for identifying, selecting, valuing and integrating group-member actions that are causal to a group achievement, comprising:

a) means for defining and valuing group-member actions that are causal to a group achievement,

b) means for selecting group-member actions that are causal to group achievement,

c) means for assigning the value of a group achievement to contributing group-member actions,

d) means for calculating TEAMSHARE on an aggregate basis and storing and retrieving it from a database,

e) means for (JUDGE) identifying valuable group-member action sequences,

f) means for guiding team members on how to integrate their activities in pursuit of specific pre-defined group goals, when given only partial understanding of how they can achieve said goal.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein JUDGE is a human observer with a mechanism and supporting software embodied in a computer, comprising:

a) head-mounted microphone and voice recognition software, with means for storing observed information in the database using software providing pre-progammed options specific to this process and to the related data collection event, and/or,

b) head-mounted miniature video screen in the observer'"'"'s field of view, with means for storing observed information in the database using software providing pre-progammed options specific to this process and to the related data collection event.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein JUDGE is unsupervised neural network embodied in a computer mechanism capable of identifying valuable action sequences, comprising:

a) Players, representing group members pursuing a group achievement;

b) Steward, representing a Player empowered to decide the course of group action in pursuit of the group goal,

c) Observer, representing a neural network software agent that monitors said Player'"'"'s communications and data transfers with other Players,

d) Team-member Interaction Protocol, representing a communication and behavioral protocol applicable to group members,

e) Means for software embodied in a computer to evaluate the instant activity observed by the JUDGE and immediately relate processed information appropriate for share awards to group members facilitating integration of activity incrementing group activity development for goal achievement.