Method and system for asynchronous online distributed problem solving including problems in education, business, finance, and technology

• US 20070160970A1
• Filed: 12/19/2006
• Published: 07/12/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Craig Kaplan
• Original Assignee: Craig Kaplan
• Inventors: Kaplan, Craig
• Application Number:
  US11/643,034
• Publication Number:
  US 20070160970A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/350
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 7/00 Electrically-operated teaching apparatus or devices working with questions and answers mechanically operated G09B3/00; computing arrangements G06F

Abstract

Systems and methods facilitating authoring and problem solving by joint contributors working separately but against a common goal. On-line asynchronous distributed authoring and problem solving system, method, and computer program for focusing attention toward particular authoring and problem solving topics using a threaded discussion group and reward matrix. System, method, computer program and computer program product for coordinating the activities of a plurality of people, where the plurality may be any number from two to thousands or more people. Mechanism for directing the attention and focus of large numbers of people who are solving problems using a tree-based problem space, where the tree based problem space may be a virtual problem space. Algorithms and procedures for evaluating nodes in the virtual problem space and assigning values via a pay-off matrix that serves to focus the attention of large numbers of problem solvers. Combination of threaded discussion groups with the pay-off matrix and a variety of algorithms to create useful system for solving multi-level problems leveraging human expertise.

Claims

1. An asynchronous online distributed problem solving system comprising:

means for solving problems online that require multiple steps or multiple sources of expertise without resort to offline communication or coordination;

means for focusing the attention and problem solving efforts of experts on specific tasks within a virtual problem space defined in part by a hierarchical problem tree including sub-problem tasks and a problem reward matrix by manipulating rewards associated with various sub-problem tasks; and

means for distributing tasks to experts in the virtual problem space in a way that allows substantially unlimited numbers of experts to work simultaneously on a problem.

2. A method for directing the attention of contributors to particular topics among a plurality of topics in a problem tree structure, the method characterized in that reward values are associated with each of the plurality of topics.

3. The method in claim 2, wherein the reward values are updated at time intervals to maintain the attention of contributors of a particular topic or to alter the attention of contributors to different topics.

4. The method in claim 2, wherein the problem tree structure includes a threaded discussion group structure.

5. A method for solving a complex problem, the characterized by dynamically modifying the complex problem formulation during its solution in response to at least one received problem solution contribution including having a contributor formulate and present at least one new sub-problem to be solved in response to problem solution contributions submitted.

6. A system comprising:

a server having a processor, memory coupled to the processor, and storage;

means for solving problems online that require multiple steps or multiple sources of expertise without resort to offline communication or coordination;

means for focusing the attention and problem solving efforts of experts on specific tasks within a virtual problem space defined in part by a hierarchical problem tree including sub-problem tasks and a problem reward matrix by manipulating rewards associated with various sub-problem tasks; and

means for distributing tasks to experts in the virtual problem space in a way that allows substantially unlimited numbers of experts to work simultaneously on a problem.

7. A method for solving a complex problem, said method comprising:

formulating a complex problem to be solved as a problem tree having a plurality of problem nodes and problem branches coupling said problem nodes, wherein each of said plurality of problem nodes comprises a sub-problem , and wherein contributions to the sub problem contribute to solution of the complex problem;

associating a reward matrix with said problem tree having reward values identified with at least some of said sub-problems;

receiving a problem solution contribution to a particular one of the sub-problems from a particular problem solving contributor; and

dynamically modifying the complex problem formulation during its solution in response to at least one received problem solution contribution including having a contributor formulate and present at least one new sub problem to be solved in response to problem solution contributions submitted.