Data collection and analysis aid

• US 6,539,335 B1
• Filed: 05/24/2000
• Issued: 03/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bert W. Morris
• Original Assignee: Bert W. Morris
• Inventors: Morris, Bert W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hoff, Marc S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Raymond, Edward
• Application Number:
  US09/578,212
• Time in Patent Office: 1,035 Days
• Field of Search: 702/179, 702/187, 702/127, 738/63
• US Class Current: 702/179
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 17/18 for evaluating statistical data , e.g. average values, frequency distributions, probability functions, regression analysis forecasting specially adapted for a specific administrative, business or logistic context G06Q10/04

Abstract

The present data collection and analysis aid is for collecting quantitative data in different categories and tabulating the results. It features counting, time sampling, and item sampling data collection techniques. It is comprised of a dedicated hardware device or software running on a programmable computer. In either embodiment, category name displays are provided for identifying the categories. Count buttons are provided for entering counts in the categories. Count displays are provided for displaying the cumulative category counts. In response to each press of a count button, the aid is arranged to increase a corresponding category count by one, and to increase a total count for all categories by one. The percentage of each category count relative to the total count is also displayed. The counts and percentages are updated on the displays with each press of the count buttons. A correction button is provided for reversing the count inputs in case of error. For time and item sampling studies, the aid is arranged to indicate the required sample size based on parameters entered by the user to give the desired accuracy of the results. For time sampling, it is also arranged to periodically alert the user with a signal as to when to make an observation and enter a count. The entered data and analysis results are saved in a non-volatile storage device during shutdown and restored at startup. A plurality of studies may be stored and conducted simultaneously.

Claims

1. A data collection and analysis aid for performing statistical analysis of quantitative data in a plurality of categories, comprising:

category name displays for displaying respective names of said categories;

count buttons respectively corresponding to said category name displays for entering counts in said categories;

category count displays respectively corresponding to said category name displays for respectively displaying cumulative category counts;

a total count display for displaying a total count for all of said categories;

category percentage displays respectively displaying category percentages of said category counts relative to said total count; and

a processor arranged to;

respectively show in said category count displays said category counts;

show in said total count display said total count;

respectively show in said category percentage displays said category percentages;

increment each said category counts by one in response to each press of a corresponding count button;

increment said total count by one in response to each press of said corresponding count button; and

calculate and update said category percentages in said category percentage displays in response to each press of said corresponding count button;

wherein when said processor is arranged to perform sampling analysis, said processor is arranged to calculate a required sample size based on a user estimated population size, a user estimated category percentage for a selected category, a desired sampling error, and a desired confidence level, said processor is also arranged to display said required sample size in a required sample size display, so as to enable a user to stop sampling when said required sample size is met.

2. A data collection and analysis aid for performing statistical analysis of quantitative data in a plurality of categories, comprising:

category name displays for displaying respective names of said categories;

count buttons respectively corresponding to said category name displays for entering counts in said categories;

category count displays respectively corresponding to said category name displays for respectively displaying cumulative category counts;

a total count display for displaying a total count for all of said categories;

category percentage displays respectively displaying category percentages of said category counts relative to said total count; and

a processor arranged to;

respectively show in said category count displays said category counts;

show in said total count display said total count;

respectively show in said category percentage displays said category percentages;

increment each said category counts by one in response to each press of a corresponding count button;

increment said total count by one in response to each press of said corresponding count button; and

calculate and update said category percentages in said category percentage displays in response to each press of said corresponding count button;

wherein when said processor is arranged to perform sampling analysis, said processor is arranged to calculate a required sample size based on a user estimated population size, a user estimated category percentage for a selected category, a desired sampling error, and a desired confidence level, said processor is arranged to display said required sample size in a required sample size display, so as to enable a user to stop sampling when said required sample size is met, said processor is also arranged to calculate and display an actual sampling error, and a range of actual sampling error in response to each press of said corresponding count button.

3. A data collection and analysis aid for performing statistical analysis of quantitative data in a plurality of categories, comprising:

category name displays for displaying respective names of said categories;

count buttons respectively corresponding to said category name displays for entering counts in said categories;

category count displays respectively corresponding to said category name displays for respectively displaying cumulative category counts;

a total count display for displaying a total count for all of said categories;

category percentage displays respectively displaying category percentages of said category counts relative to said total count; and

a processor arranged to;

respectively show in said category count displays said category counts;

show in said total count display said total count;

respectively show in said category percentage displays said category percentages;

increment each said category counts by one in response to each press of a corresponding count button;

increment said total count by one in response to each press of said corresponding count button;

calculate and update said category percentages in said category percentage displays in response to each press of said corresponding count button; and

study buttons, wherein said processor is arranged to store separate data collection and analysis studies in different locations in a non-volatile storage device in response to the pressing of different study buttons.

4. A method for performing statistical analysis of quantitative data in a plurality of categories, comprising:

providing category name displays for displaying respective names of said categories;

providing count buttons respectively corresponding to said category name displays for entering counts in said categories;

providing category count displays respectively corresponding to said category name displays for respectively displaying cumulative category counts;

providing a total count display displaying a total count for all of said categories;

providing category percentage displays respectively displaying category percentages of said category counts relative to said total count; and

incrementing each said category counts by one in response to each press of a corresponding count button;

incrementing said total count by one in response to each press of said corresponding count button;

calculating and updating said category percentages in said category percentage displays in response to each press of said corresponding count button; and

calculating a required sample size based on a user estimated population size, a user estimated category percentage for a selected category, a desired sampling error, and a desired confidence level, and displaying said required sample size in a required sample size display for enabling a user to stop sampling when said required sample size is met.

5. A method for performing statistical analysis of quantitative data in a plurality of categories, comprising:

providing category name displays for displaying respective names of said categories;

providing count buttons respectively corresponding to said category name displays for entering counts in said categories;

providing category count displays respectively corresponding to said category name displays for respectively displaying cumulative category counts;

providing a total count display displaying a total count for all of said categories;

providing category percentage displays respectively displaying category percentages of said category counts relative to said total count; and

incrementing each said category counts by one in response to each press of a corresponding count button;

incrementing said total count by one in response to each press of said corresponding count button;

calculating and updating said category percentages in said category percentage displays in response to each press of said corresponding count button; and

calculating a required sample size based on a user estimated population size, a user estimated category percentage for a selected category, a desired sampling error, and a desired confidence level, displaying said required sample size in a required sample size display for enabling a user to stop sampling when said required sample size is met, and calculating and displaying an actual sampling error, and a range of actual sampling error in response to each press of said corresponding count button.

6. A method for performing statistical analysis of quantitative data in a plurality of categories, comprising:

providing category name displays for displaying respective names of said categories;

providing count buttons respectively corresponding to said category name displays for entering counts in said categories;

providing category count displays respectively corresponding to said category name displays for respectively displaying cumulative category counts;

providing a total count display displaying a total count for all of said categories;

providing category percentage displays respectively displaying category percentages of said category counts relative to said total count; and

incrementing each said category counts by one in response to each press of a corresponding count button;

incrementing said total count by one in response to each press of said corresponding count button;

calculating and updating said category percentages in said category percentage displays in response to each press of said corresponding count button; and

providing different study buttons, and storing separate data collection and analysis studies in different locations in a non-volatile storage device in response to the pressing of different study buttons.

7. A method for performing statistical analysis of quantitative data in a plurality of categories, comprising:

providing category name displays for displaying respective names of said categories;

providing count buttons respectively corresponding to said category name displays for entering counts in said categories;

providing category count displays respectively corresponding to said category name displays for respectively displaying cumulative category counts;

providing a total count display displaying a total count for all of said categories;

providing category percentage displays respectively displaying category percentages of said category counts relative to said total count; and

incrementing each said category counts by one in response to each press of a corresponding count button;

incrementing said total count by one in response to each press of said corresponding count button;

calculating and updating said category percentages in said category percentage displays in response to each press of said corresponding count button; and

indicating on a help screen instructions for a user to choose between counting or sampling, and when sampling is chosen, indicating on said help screen instructions for said user to choose between time sampling or item sampling.