Iterative problem solving technique
First Claim
1. A method of implementing a computer-assisted iterative problem solving technique which starts from initial non-numerical data items and develops possible solutions within a framework of an interrelationship among pre-selected non-numerical data items which are divided into a plurality of mutually exclusive categories, including the steps of:
- displaying on a video display, a work sheet having a plurality of cells each corresponding to one of said mutually exclusive categories for displaying the non-numerical data items;
entering initial non-numerical data items into respective cells in the work sheet;
receiving a selection of a query designating at least a first cell in the work sheet with the initial non-numerical data items as an input and requesting related non-numerical data items for at least one cell of the plurality of cells in the work sheet;
identifying non-numerical data items for the at least one cell that are related to non-numerical data items in the first cell; and
inserting the identified non-numerical data items into the at least one cell in the work sheet as further information for consideration in developing possible solutions.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of implementing non-numerical spread sheets for the medical and legal domains using a computer-assisted iterative problem solving technique which starts from initial non-numerical data and develops possible solutions within a framework of an interrelation ship among pre-selected non-numerical data which are divided into a plurality of mutually exclusive categories differentiated according to readiness for decision making, including the steps of: displaying on a video display, a work sheet having a plurality of cells each corresponding to one of said mutually exclusive categories for displaying the non-numerical data; entering initial non-numerical data into respective cells in the work sheet; selecting a query designating at least a first cell in the work sheet with the initial non-numerical data as an input and requesting related non-numerical data for at least one cell of the plurality of cells in the work sheet; identifying non-numerical data for the at least one cell that is related to non-numerical data in the first cell; and inserting the identified non-numerical data into at least one cell in the work sheet as further information for consideration in developing possible solutions.
112 Citations
40 Claims
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1. A method of implementing a computer-assisted iterative problem solving technique which starts from initial non-numerical data items and develops possible solutions within a framework of an interrelationship among pre-selected non-numerical data items which are divided into a plurality of mutually exclusive categories, including the steps of:
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displaying on a video display, a work sheet having a plurality of cells each corresponding to one of said mutually exclusive categories for displaying the non-numerical data items;
entering initial non-numerical data items into respective cells in the work sheet;
receiving a selection of a query designating at least a first cell in the work sheet with the initial non-numerical data items as an input and requesting related non-numerical data items for at least one cell of the plurality of cells in the work sheet;
identifying non-numerical data items for the at least one cell that are related to non-numerical data items in the first cell; and
inserting the identified non-numerical data items into the at least one cell in the work sheet as further information for consideration in developing possible solutions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of implementing a computer-assisted iterative clinical problem solving technique which starts from initial clinical data items and develops possible solutions within a framework of an interrelationship among pre-selected clinical data items which is divided into a plurality of mutually exclusive categories, including the steps of:
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displaying on a video display a work sheet having a plurality of cells each corresponding to one of said mutually exclusive categories for displaying the clinical data items;
entering initial clinical data items into respective cells in the work sheet;
receiving a selection of a query designating at least a first cell in the work sheet with the initial clinical data items as an input and requesting related clinical data items for at least one cell of the plurality of cells in the work sheet;
identifying clinical data items for the at least one cell that are related to clinical data items in the first cell according to the query; and
inserting the identified clinical data items into the at least one cell in the work sheet as further information for consideration in developing possible solutions. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method of implementing a computer-assisted iterative legal problem solving technique which starts from initial legal data items and develops possible solutions within a framework of an interrelationship among pre-selected legal data items which is divided into a plurality of mutually exclusive categories, including the steps of:
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displaying on a video display a work sheet having a plurality of cells each corresponding to one of said mutually exclusive categories for displaying the legal data items;
entering initial legal data items into respective cells in the work sheet;
receiving a selection of a query designating at least a first cell in the work sheet with the initial legal data items as an input and requesting legal data items for at least one cell of the plurality of cells in the work sheet that are related to legal data items in the first cell;
identifying legal data items for the at least one cell that are related to the legal data items in the first cell according to the query; and
inserting the identified legal data items into the at least one cell in the work sheet as further information for consideration in developing possible solutions. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A method of recording patient specific clinical data for evaluation of patient status, where clinical data has been divided into a plurality of mutually exclusive categories including the steps of:
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providing an encounter form which has a plurality of cells each corresponding to one of said mutually exclusive categories; and
entering the patient specific clinical data collected during at least one patient encounter into respective cells in the encounter form according to the respective categories to which the collected clinical data belong. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
providing a global status form which has a plurality of cells each corresponding to one of said mutually exclusive categories; and
posting the collected clinical data in the at least one encounter form into respective cells in the global status form.
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33. A method as in claim 32, wherein the step of posting includes electronically scanning the cells of the encounter form to identify the collected clinical data and the respective categories of the collected clinical data, and storing the collected clinical data into respective cells of the global status form.
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34. A method as in claim 32, further including the steps of providing a global inactive status form which has cells corresponding respectively to the mutually exclusive categories, and transferring clinical data posted in the global status form that have become inactive into respective cells in the global inactive status form.
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35. A method as in claim 32, wherein the step of entering includes recording in the encounter form a date of generation for each datum of the collected clinical data.
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36. A method as in claim 32, wherein the mutually exclusive categories consist of four categories.
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37. A method as in claim 32, wherein the mutually exclusive categories include categories differentiated according to readiness for diagnosis.
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38. A method as in claim 37, wherein the mutually exclusive categories include a first category which includes signs and symptoms, a second category which includes clinical test results, and a third category which includes diagnoses.
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39. A method as in claim 38, wherein the mutually exclusive categories further include a fourth category which includes treatment and investigations.
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40. A recording system for recording clinical data for evaluation of patient status including:
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a reference listing having a plurality of mutually exclusive categories;
an encounter form having a plurality of cells each corresponding to to one of said mutually exclusive categories to receive;
wherein clinical data collected during at least one patient encounter is entered into respective cells in the encounter form according to the respective categories to which the collected clinical data belong.
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Specification