Method and system for the collaborative analysis of information
First Claim
1. A method for a collaborative analysis of information, wherein all the steps are performed on suitably programmed computers, comprising:
- maintaining an analysis dataset comprising information units, including;
a plurality of topic information units represented as a matrix of hypotheses and evidence, each topic information unit representing an analysis topic, wherein various evidence values associated with each hypothesis represented by a value cell;
a plurality of contribution information units each representing an information contribution associated with one of the analysis topics; and
associating each contribution information unit with the respective topic information unit;
obtaining a plurality of analysis datasets;
generating a combined analysis dataset, comprising;
determining a set of unique topic information units found in the plurality of analysis datasets;
determining a set of unique contribution information units found in the plurality of analysis datasets for each unique topic information unit;
associating an instance of each unique topic information units found in the set of unique topic information units with the combined analysis dataset; and
associating an instance of each contribution information unit found in the set of unique contribution information units that was determined for each unique topic information unit with that unique topic information unit;
designating one of the contribution information units associated with each topic information unit as a top-level value;
displaying a visual representation of the topic information unit in a user interface; and
displaying a visual representation of the contribution information unit that is designated as the top-level value in the user interface such that the information contribution is visually associated with the analysis topic.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems for enabling the collaborative exchange and analysis of information are provided. Exemplary embodiments provide for the editing of information maintained in associated information units that may be distributed in parallel to a plurality of collaborative users. The information units may be distributed and retrieved with lightweight transport protocols. The information units obtained from multiple sources are automatically aligned and combined. Editing and display methods and systems further provide organizational and filtering tools. The information units may be redistributed and further collected in an iterative fashion.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for a collaborative analysis of information, wherein all the steps are performed on suitably programmed computers, comprising:
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maintaining an analysis dataset comprising information units, including; a plurality of topic information units represented as a matrix of hypotheses and evidence, each topic information unit representing an analysis topic, wherein various evidence values associated with each hypothesis represented by a value cell; a plurality of contribution information units each representing an information contribution associated with one of the analysis topics; and associating each contribution information unit with the respective topic information unit; obtaining a plurality of analysis datasets; generating a combined analysis dataset, comprising; determining a set of unique topic information units found in the plurality of analysis datasets; determining a set of unique contribution information units found in the plurality of analysis datasets for each unique topic information unit; associating an instance of each unique topic information units found in the set of unique topic information units with the combined analysis dataset; and associating an instance of each contribution information unit found in the set of unique contribution information units that was determined for each unique topic information unit with that unique topic information unit; designating one of the contribution information units associated with each topic information unit as a top-level value; displaying a visual representation of the topic information unit in a user interface; and displaying a visual representation of the contribution information unit that is designated as the top-level value in the user interface such that the information contribution is visually associated with the analysis topic. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system having a storage medium for the collaborative analysis of information, comprising:
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a local analysis dataset, comprising information units, including; a plurality of topic information units represented as a matrix of hypotheses and evidence, each topic information unit representing an analysis topic wherein various evidence values associated with each hypothesis represented by a value cell; and a plurality of contribution information units each representing an information contribution associated with one of the analysis topics; a collaborative editor that associates a unique topic identifier with each information unit as the information unit is created, associates each contribution information unit with the respective topic information unit, and that associates each contribution information unit with the respective topic information unit; obtaining a plurality of analysis datasets; generating a combined analysis dataset, comprising; determining a set of unique topic information units found in the plurality of analysis datasets; determining a set of unique contribution information units found in the plurality of analysis datasets for each unique topic information unit; associating an instance of each unique topic information units found in the set of unique topic information units with the combined analysis dataset; associating an instance of each contribution information unit found in the set of unique contribution information units that was determined for each unique topic information unit with that unique topic information unit; designating one of the contribution information units associated with each topic information unit as a top-level value; displaying a visual representation of the topic information unit in a user interface; and displaying a visual representation of the contribution information unit that is designated as the top-level value in the user interface such that the information contribution is visually associated with the analysis topic. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification