System and method of automating multidimensional scaling for psychophysics

• US 6,569,096 B2
• Filed: 06/06/2001
• Issued: 05/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Wang, Jeff, Qiao, Yue, Gotschim, Christian Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Hindenburg, Max F.
• Application Number:
  US09/876,501
• Publication Number:
  US 20020188180A1
• Time in Patent Office: 720 Days
• Field of Search: 600/300, 600/301, 600/558, 600/587
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/16 Devices for psychotechnics using teaching or educational appliances G09B1/00 - G09B7/00; Testing reaction times ; Devices for evaluating the psychological state

Abstract

Disclosed is method, system, and program for defining and administering a test to determine human perceptions of observable samples, such as printed text or images, sounds, motion pictures, etc. based on multiple factors. A displayable test building window includes input fields to receive input on at least one observable sample set according the multidimensional scaling experiment. Generated in a data gathering window is at least one perception input field for each observable sample set. The observer is capable of entering perception information in each input field concerning the observable samples. Observer perception input on the observable samples is received and stored. Statistical analysis is then performed on the entered perception input. A report is generated displaying the results of the multidimensional scaling calculations in the form of plots.

Claims

1. A method for comparing multiple factors using multidimensional scaling analysis, comprising:

generating at least one set of observable samples, where each observable sample in the set is generated by a different algorithm combining a number of factors;

for each set, collecting data on observable relative differences between samples in the set;

performing multidimensional statistical analysis on the collected data; and

displaying results of the statistical analysis as plots.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein collecting data further comprises:

displaying a test building window including input fields to receive input on the at least one set of samples;

generating a data gathering window including at least one perception input field for each observable set, wherein an observer is capable of entering perception information in each input field concerning the observable set;

receiving observer perception input on the observable set; and

storing the observer entered perception input.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

interpreting the plots to determine human perceptions to variations of factors.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying results of the statistical analysis further comprise:

determining an optimal number of factors to be compared for interpretation of the collected data; and

generating plots comparing two factors at a time.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

performing rotational analysis on the plots and generating a report based on the collected data.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the algorithm comprises a printing algorithm to control a printer to print the observable sample on paper.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the factors in the printing algorithm are a member of a set of factors comprising half-tone screen, sharpening, smoothing, and resolutions.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein the observable sample is embodied in a medium that is a member of the set of mediums comprising:

images, text, sound, and motion pictures.

9. A system for comparing multiple factors using multidimensional scaling analysis, comprising:

a computer system;

program logic executed by the computer system, comprising;

(i) means for generating at least one set of samples, where each sample in the set is created by a unique algorithm combining a number of factors;

(ii) for each set, means for collecting data on observable relative differences between samples in the set;

(iii) means for performing multidimensional statistical analysis on the collected data; and

(iv) means for displaying results of the statistical analysis as plots.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the means for collecting data further comprises:

means for displaying a test building window including input fields to receive input on the at least one set of samples;

means for generating a data gathering window including at least one perception input field for each observable set, wherein an observer is capable of entering perception information in each input field concerning the observable set;

means for receiving observer perception input on the observable set; and

means for storing the observer entered perception input.

11. The system of claim 9, further comprising:

means for interpreting the plots to determine human perceptions to variations of factors.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the means for displaying results of the statistical analysis further comprise:

means for determining an optimal number of factors to be compared for interpretation of the collected data; and

means for generating plots comparing two factors at a time.

13. The system of claim 9, further comprising:

performing rotational analysis on the plots and generating a report based on the collected data.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the algorithm comprises a printing algorithm to control a printer to print the observable sample on paper.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the factors in the printing algorithm are a member of a set of factors comprising half-tone screen, sharpening, smoothing, and resolutions.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein the observable sample is embodied in a medium that is a member of the set of mediums comprising:

images, text, sound, and motion pictures.