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<title>NHDS Patent</title>
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<p class=MsoTitle><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>Flexible,
modular electronic element patterning <br>
method and apparatus for compiling, processing, transmitting, <br>
and reporting data and information </span></p>
<p align=center style='text-align:center'><b>Abstract</b></p>
<p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>A method and apparatus for
compiling (acquiring and storing), processing (analyzing, integrating, and organizing),
transmitting, and reporting data and information, which is comprised of a flexible,
modular system that overcomes major limitations of conventional and multidimensional
databases. The method and apparatus utilizes computer programming code modules
and modules of logically arranged digital signal function and formula formations
to: (a) acquire data/information units using modules of query instruction items
and response instruction items, which can be presented via a branching-logic
process, (b) store the responses to the items in independent record files and
internal database files, (c) integrate them with digital signals stored in other
sources via an integration file, (d) process the digital signals in the digital
signal processing files, (e) produce portable report files, and (f) generate
reports utilizing report format files. </span></p>
<div align=center style='text-align:center'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center>
</div>
<table border=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%">
<tr>
<td width="10%" valign=top class="Normal">
<p>Inventors: </p>
</td>
<td width="90%" class="Normal">
<p><b>Beller; Stephen E.</b> </p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="10%" nowrap valign=top class="Normal">
<p>Appl. No.: </p>
</td>
<td width="90%" class="Normal">
<p><b>790549</b></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="10%" valign=top class="Normal">
<p>Filed: </p>
</td>
<td width="90%" class="Normal">
<p><b>January 30, 1997</b><span style='
'></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
<table border=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%">
<tr>
<td width="40%" valign=top class="Normal">
<p><b>U.S. Class:</b></p>
</td>
<td width="60%" valign=top class="Normal">
<p align=right style='text-align:right'><b>707/1</b>; 707/101 <span style='
'></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="40%" valign=top class="Normal">
<p><b>Intern'l Class: </b><span style='
'></span></p>
</td>
<td width="60%" valign=top class="Normal">
<p align=right style='text-align:right'>G06F 017/30<span style='"Arial Unicode MS";'></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="40%" valign=top class="Normal">
<p><b>Field of Search: </b><span style='
'></span></p>
</td>
<td width="60%" valign=top class="Normal">
<p align=right style='text-align:right'>707/1-10,100-104,200-206 701/208,213,215,207
345/507,326,333,334 364/420,489,488,490,491 </p>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
<div align=center style='text-align:center'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center>
</div>
<p align=center style='text-align:center'><b>References Cited </b></p>
<div align=center style='text-align:center'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center>
</div>
<p align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span lang=FR>U.S. Patent Documents</span></b><span
lang=FR></span></p>
<table border=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%">
<tr>
<td width="25%" class="Normal">
<p><span lang=FR style=' '>5343554</span><span lang=FR style='"Arial Unicode MS";'></span></p>
</td>
<td width="25%" class="Normal">
<p><span lang=FR style=' '>Aug., 1994</span><span lang=FR style='"Arial Unicode MS";'></span></p>
</td>
<td width="25%" class="Normal">
<p><span lang=FR style=' '>Koza et al.</span><span lang=FR style='"Arial Unicode MS";'></span></p>
</td>
<td width="25%" class="Normal">
<p align=right style='text-align:right'><span lang=FR>395/13. </span><span
lang=FR></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="25%" class="Normal">
<p><a
href="http://164.195.100.11/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect2=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&d=PALL&RefSrch=yes&Query=PN%2F5497334"><span
lang=FR style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none;
text-underline:none'>5497334</span></a><span lang=FR style='"Arial Unicode MS";'></span></p>
</td>
<td width="25%" class="Normal">
<p><span lang=FR style=' '>Mar., 1996</span><span lang=FR style='"Arial Unicode MS";'></span></p>
</td>
<td width="25%" class="Normal">
<p><span lang=FR style=' '>Russell et al.</span><span lang=FR style='"Arial Unicode MS";'></span></p>
</td>
<td width="25%" class="Normal">
<p align=right style='text-align:right'>364/489. <span style='"Arial Unicode MS";'></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="25%" class="Normal">
<p><a
href="http://164.195.100.11/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect2=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&d=PALL&RefSrch=yes&Query=PN%2F5596494"><span
style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'>5596494</span></a></p>
</td>
<td width="25%" class="Normal">
<p>Jan., 1997</p>
</td>
<td width="25%" class="Normal">
<p>Kuo</p>
</td>
<td width="25%" class="Normal">
<p align=right style='text-align:right'>364/420. <span style='"Arial Unicode MS";'></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="25%" class="Normal">
<p><a
href="http://164.195.100.11/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect2=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&d=PALL&RefSrch=yes&Query=PN%2F5600844"><span
style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'>5600844</span></a></p>
</td>
<td width="25%" class="Normal">
<p>Feb., 1997</p>
</td>
<td width="25%" class="Normal">
<p><span lang=FR style=' '>Shaw et al.</span><span lang=FR style='"Arial Unicode MS";'></span></p>
</td>
<td width="25%" class="Normal">
<p align=right style='text-align:right'>345/507. <span style='"Arial Unicode MS";'></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="25%" class="Normal">
<p><a
href="http://164.195.100.11/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect2=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&d=PALL&RefSrch=yes&Query=PN%2F5680557"><span
style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'>5680557</span></a></p>
</td>
<td width="25%" class="Normal">
<p>Oct., 1997</p>
</td>
<td width="25%" class="Normal">
<p>Karamchetty</p>
</td>
<td width="25%" class="Normal">
<p align=right style='text-align:right'>345/334. <span style='"Arial Unicode MS";'></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="25%" class="Normal">
<p><a
href="http://164.195.100.11/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect2=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&d=PALL&RefSrch=yes&Query=PN%2F5689431"><span
style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'>5689431</span></a></p>
</td>
<td width="25%" class="Normal">
<p>Nov., 1997</p>
</td>
<td width="25%" class="Normal">
<p><span lang=FR style=' '>Rudow et al.</span><span lang=FR style='"Arial Unicode MS";'></span></p>
</td>
<td width="25%" class="Normal">
<p align=right style='text-align:right'>701/213. <span style='"Arial Unicode MS";'></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
<p><i>Primary Examiner:</i> Black; Thomas G. </p>
<p><i>Assistant Examiner:</i> Ho; Buay Lian </p>
<p><span>�</span></p>
<div align=center style='text-align:center'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center>
</div>
<p class=MsoCaption>Description</p>
<div align=center style='text-align:center'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center>
</div>
<p><b>BACKGROUND</b> </p>
<p><b>Field of Invention</b> </p>
<p>This invention relates to the management of data and information using a flexible,
modular electronic element patterning method and apparatus. In the present invention
the term "data" refers to alphanumeric values, text, and other physical
and mental symbols representing measures, classifications, and other descriptions
of objects, forces, behaviors, concepts, beliefs, emotions, and other phenomena
(occurrences, events, circumstances). Independent units of data do not, in and
of themselves, convey intelligible/meaningful (understandable, comprehensible,
significant, denotative) information; but when they are combined with certain
other data, they can form intelligible/meaningful patterns of information. In
the present invention, therefore, the term "information" refers to
data that have been formed into intelligible/meaningful patterns. These informational
patterns can be expressed (stated, manifested, indicated) as: </p>
<p>(a) statistical representations of data relationships (e.g., descriptives of
central tendency and dispersion, ANOVAS, correlations, regressions, nonparametic
tests, modeling statistics, and continuous, discrete, and non-central distributions);
</p>
<p>(b) graphical representations of data relationships (e.g., categorical charts,
SQC charts, histograms, and scatterplots, caseplots, time-series plots, normal
probability plots, and cross-correlation function plots); </p>
<p>(c) visual or auditory signals and signs indicating the existence or absence
of specific data relationship conditions, such as using colors, alphanumeric
symbols, pictures, or sounds to indicate whether certain data have met specified
criterion conditions represented by other data, (e.g., a buzzer sounding on
a smoke detector when data from the detector's sensor, which represents the
current smoke level, is greater than other data in the detector's memory, which
represents a criterion indicative of a safe level of smoke); </p>
<p>(d) visual or auditory signals and signs which identify an entity (a thing,
occurrence, etc.) represented by a datum (a single data unit), such as using
a series of words (i.e., strings of alphanumeric data symbols) to describe what
another datum means (e.g., placing the datum "44" adjacent to the
alphanumeric symbol/words "=the person's years of age", thereby conveying
the information "the person is 44 years old"); and </p>
<p>(e) other visual, auditory, and other suitable representations of other meaningful
data relationships. </p>
<p>While information is comprised of intelligible/meaningful data patterns, information
can be organized (e.g., categorized, indexed) into intelligible/meaningful patterns
to produce useful knowledge. In the present invention, data and information
are represented by electronic elements (digital signals). The method and apparatus
of the present invention compiles, integrates, and transmits electronic elements
of data and information from a multitude of sources, arranges them into electronic
element patterns, and utilizes these patterns to generates intelligible/meaningful
reports, indicative of the data and information, for enhanced knowledge. </p>
<p>In the fields of science, healthcare, criminal justice, education, human resources,
financial forecasting, governmental management, political analysis, and other
fields and industries where the management complex data and information is essential,
there is need for a more flexible and efficient means by which to compile (i.e.,
acquire and store), process (i.e., integrate, organize, and analyze), and report
useful data and information to the end user. </p>
<p><b>Objects and Advantages</b> </p>
<p>The objects and advantages of the present invention involve improving conventional
and multidimensional database performance through use of a flexible, modular
electronic element patterning method and apparatus ("system"). Each
of the modules utilized by the present invention is flexible, efficient and
independent (i.e., able to be readily modified without disrupting the structure
or content of the other modules). Specifically, the modules comprising the present
invention are: </p>
<p>(a) data/information compilation modules utilizing computer programming code
and branching logic to facilitate the acquisition and storage of data and information;
</p>
<p>(b) record file modules comprised of independent record files for storing individual
records as flexible, efficient electronic element patterns and internal database
files for storing database records in tables; </p>
<p>(c) data/information processing and transmission modules utilizing computer
programming code and logically arranged computer function and formula formations
for analyzing, integrating, and organizing data and information into flexible,
efficient electronic element patterns and transmitting them (i.e., sending them
to different locations electronically); </p>
<p>(d) supplemental data/information modules containing reference information,
and data from external databases; and </p>
<p>(e) report generation modules utilizing computer programming code, logically
arranged computer function and formula formations, and report format templates
for producing and transmitting intelligible/meaningful reports reflecting the
aforedescribed electronic element patterns. </p>
<p>Some of the ways that the present invention's radically new modular system
provides more flexible and efficient management of data and information are:
</p>
<p>(a) large quantities of data can be compiled efficiently utilizing easy to
use branching logic routines; </p>
<p>(b) there is no need to define the type of data and information in a field,
so multiple types of data can be entered into a single field; </p>
<p>(c) each record containing the raw data does not need the same fields as any
other record, thereby eliminating sparseness by storing in each record only
those fields containing data; </p>
<p>(d) records can be stored independently of one another (i.e., they need not
be associated with a table nor stored within a database file), thereby eliminating
much of the overhead required for structural integrity in conventional and multidimensional
databases; </p>
<p>(e) the data or information in any one field of any one record can be processed,
independent of or in conjunction with the contents of any other field(s) of
any other record(s), using any suitable algorithm, thereby providing unprecedented
analytic capabilities; </p>
<p>(f) the algorithms which generate a report are stored independently of the
raw and processed data and information and independently of the algorithms which
process the data and information, thereby enabling continual modifications of
the report generation algorithms without disrupting other system components;
</p>
<p class=MsoBodyTextIndent><span style='"Times New Roman"'>(g) the algorithms
which integrate information and/or data from a plurality of sources are stored
independently of the information and/or data, thereby enabling continual modification
of the algorithms without disrupting the raw and processed data and information;
and </span></p>
<p>(h) there are no inherent structural parameters, such as the relational database
grid or OLAP multidimensional database structure, thereby affording exceptional
flexibility of database design. </p>
<p>Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration
of the ensuing descriptions and drawings. </p>
<p><b>DRAWING FIGURES</b> </p>
<p><b>In the Drawings:</b> </p>
<p>FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of the apparatus of the present invention;
</p>
<p>FIG. 2 illustrates an operational flow diagram of the data compilation steps
of the data/information compilation method utilized in the present invention;
</p>
<p>FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of the data/information compilation, record
file, data/information processing, supplemental data/information, and report
generation modules utilized in the present invention; </p>
<p>FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of the query and response instruction modules
utilized in the present invention; </p>
<p>FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of the query and response instruction header
code components of the method of the present invention; </p>
<p>FIG. 6 illustrates an operational flow diagram of the data/information processing
and report generation steps of method of the present invention, and </p>
<p>FIG. 7 illustrates an operational flow diagram of the possible directions of
data and information flow of the present invention. </p>
<p class=Head-Sub><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>Reference
Numerals In Drawings</span></p>
<span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;
'><br clear=all style='page-break-before:auto;
'>
</span>
<p><span lang=FR>1 Computer Apparatus</span></p>
<p><span lang=FR>2 CPU </span></p>
<p><span lang=FR>3 ROM device</span></p>
<p><span lang=FR>4 RAM device</span></p>
<p><span lang=FR>5 Input device</span></p>
<p><span lang=FR>6 Presentation device</span></p>
<p><span lang=FR>7 Output device</span></p>
<p><span lang=FR>8 Storage device</span></p>
<p><span lang=FR>9 Backup system</span></p>
<p><span lang=FR>10 User interactive interface device</span></p>
<p><span lang=FR>20 Data/Info Compilation Module (DCM)</span></p>
<p style='
'><span lang=FR>24 Data/Info Compilation Code Module (DCCM)</span></p>
<p><span lang=FR>28 Query Module (QM)</span></p>
<p>30 Query Unit (QU)</p>
<p>32 Query Item (QI)</p>
<p>36 Query Item Header (QIH)</p>
<p>40 Independent Record file (IRF)</p>
<p>44 Query Item Identifier (QIID)</p>
<p>48 Query Item Format Code (QIFC)</p>
<p>52 Response Instruction Module (RIM)</p>
<p>54 Response Instruction Unit (RIU)</p>
<p>56 Response Instruction Item (RII)</p>
<p>60 Response Instruction Header (RIH)</p>
<p><span lang=FR>64 Response Instruction Code (RIC)</span></p>
<p>68 Record file Module (RFM)</p>
<p><span lang=FR>72 Response Instruction Identifier (RIID)</span></p>
<p><span lang=FR>76 Response Instruction Format Code (RIFC)</span></p>
<p><span lang=FR>78 Input Prompt Code (IPC)</span></p>
<p><span lang=FR>80 Data Unit (DU)</span></p>
<p><span lang=FR>84 Direct Response (DR)</span></p>
<p><span lang=FR>88 Passive Response (PR)</span></p>
<p><span lang=FR>92 Response Validation Code (RVC)</span></p>
<p>100 Internal Database File (IDF)</p>
<p>104 Table Record (TR)</p>
<p><span lang=FR>112 Branching Logic Code (BLC)</span></p>
<p>116 Branching Criteria (BC)</p>
<p>120 Branch-To Location (BTL)</p>
<p>124 Data/Info Processing Module (DPM)</p>
<p>128 Data/Info Processing Code Module (DPCM)</p>
<p style='
'>132 Data/Info Processing Function/Formula Module (DPFM)</p>
<p style='
'>136 Data/Info Retrieval and Processing File� (DRPF) </p>
<p style='
'>140 Processed Data/Info File (PDF)</p>
<p style='
'>144 Extended Table Record (ETR)</p>
<p style='
'>146 Aggregate Data/Info Units (ADU)</p>
<p>150 Supplemental Data/Info Module (SDM)</p>
<p>152 Reference Data/Info File (RDF)</p>
<p style='
'>154 Data/Info Integration File (DIF)</p>
<p>156 External Database Files (EDF)</p>
<p>160 Report Generation Module (RGM)</p>
<p>164 Portable Report Data/Info File (PRDF)</p>
<p style='
'>168 Report Generation Code Module (RGCM)</p>
<p style='
'>172 Report Generation Function/Formula Module (RGFM)</p>
<p style='
'>176 Report Format File (RFF)</p>
<span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;
'><br
clear=all style='page-break-before:auto;'>
</span>
<p style=' </span></p>
<p><span>The apparatus of the present invention is comprised
of a digital computer system comprising a Central Processing Unit (CPU), Read
Only Memory (ROM) device, Random Access Memory (RAM) device, input device,
storage device, presentation device, backup system, and user interface and
delivery device. These components enable the computer system to compile, process,
transmit, and report information and/or data from one or a plurality of end
users in one or a plurality of locations. </p>
<p><span>The method of the present invention comprises a process that compiles,
processes, and reports data and information utilizing five distinct, yet related
modules. Data/information compilation modules are comprised of electronic
files containing computer algorithms, alphanumeric text, and visual and auditory
"objects" (i.e., basic visual and auditory elements) in electronic
form. The modules are utilized to acquire information and/or data efficiently
using branching logic and to store them as digital signals in data/information
file modules. The data/information file modules are comprised of efficient
independent record files containing the information and/or data of a single
entity and of internal database files containing the information and/or data
of a plurality of entities. The independent record files provide an efficient
means of storing and transmitting raw data and information. Supplemental modules
comprised of reference files and external databases are utilized to augment
the compiled information and/or data with additional data and information.
Processing modules comprised of easily modifiable computer programming code,
functions, and formulas are utilized to analyze, integrate, and organize the
information and/or data. Report generation modules are comprised of files
of data and information in efficient, easily transmitted digital signal formations
and of report format files of easily modifiable computer programming code,
functions, formulas, alphanumeric text, and visual and auditory electronic
objects. The report format files are utilized in conjunction with the files
of data and information formations to produce output reports. While each of
the modules comprising the present invention is utilized with the other modules,
each is structurally independent, thereby preventing modifications made in
one module to disrupt the content and structure of the other modules. </span></p>
<p><b><span>Description--FIG. 1</span></b><span> </span></p>
<p><span>FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of the apparatus of the present
invention which is denoted generally by the reference numeral 1. The apparatus
of the present invention is comprised of a Central Processing Unit (CPU) 2
which is utilized for obtaining, processing, and reporting at least one element
(unit) of data and information. The CPU 2 may operate in a microprocessor,
a microcomputer, a mainframe computer, a supercomputer system, or a molecular
computer depending upon the application and the digital computer system employed.
</span></p>
<p><span>The apparatus 1 is also comprised of a Read Only Memory (ROM) device
3 for the storage of the operational program data or codes which control the
operation of the apparatus and which is further comprised of any additional
software programs or codes which direct the apparatus 1 to perform the method
utilized in the present invention. In this manner, the method of the present
invention may be embodied solely as a computer and/or software program or
codes. A Random Access Memory (RAM) device 4 is also utilized for storing
the data and information, which will be described in more detail below. Note
that any other suitable memory method may also be used such as PROM, EPROM,
and "bubble memory". An input device 5 is utilized in the apparatus
1, which may be a keyboard, mouse, joy stick, optical scanner, electronic
pen, modem, magnetic strip reader, LAN device, WAN device, touch screen, camera,
touch pad, biologic measurement device, microphone, infrared device, ultrasound
device or any other suitable means for entering data, information and user
control commands into a digital computer system. </span></p>
<p><span>The apparatus 1 is also comprised of a user presentation device 6 for
presenting information related to the operation of the present invention.
In this respect, the operation of the apparatus 1 may be facilitated by the
display of on-screen menus, the sounding of audio speakers, and any other
suitable means which may allow a user, via the user input device 5, to select
apparatus operations or in other ways exert control over the present invention.
The presentation device 6 may also present requests for input information
and/or data to the user in text, graphics, audio, video, multimedia, and any
other suitable formats. </span></p>
<p><span>The apparatus 1 is further comprised of an output device 7 which may
be or which may include a printer and plotter for generating output data and
information such as hard copy reports, an amplifier and speaker for generating
audio representations of the data and information, a modem or other suitable
telecommunication means for electronically transmitting output data and information
or report data and information to remote locations, and other suitable output
means for presenting data and information. The presentation device 6 may also
function as an output device 7 by displaying a visual, audio, and any other
suitable presentation of output data and information. </span></p>
<p><span>The apparatus 1 is further comprise of storage device 8 which is comprised
of a hard disk, floppy disk, compact disk, magneto-optical drive, tape drive,
magnetic strip, or other suitable means is used for storage of data and information
in digital form. </span></p>
<p><span>The apparatus 1 may also comprise a backup system 9 which is comprised
of a CPU 2', a ROM device 3 RAM 4', and storage 8', which
are identical to the CPU 1, 4, 3, 8, respectively, described above. backup system 9 serves as redundancy in event of failure or malfunction any their primary
counterparts (CPU 2,
respectively). this manner, duplicate files may be stored. ></p>
<p>The apparatus 1 may also comprise a user interactive interface and delivery
system 10. The user interactive interface and delivery system 10 may be a separate
computer (not shown) which may contain ROM and RAM memory devices, data input
and user command entry devices, which may include a keyboard, a mouse, and/or
a modem or any other suitable device, and a data output device which may be
a printer or any other suitable device for obtaining, receiving or storing data
output reports. The user interactive interface and delivery system 10 is designed
to be utilized by remote users and is further designed to be located at remote
locations such as at the locations of the above described users. The user interactive
interface and delivery device 10, may be interfaced with the apparatus 1 of
the present invention either via telecommunication means and/or other suitable
communication networks which may include direct communication link-ups and/or
radio communication link-ups via transmitting and/or satellite communication
systems or means. </p>
<p>The user interactive interface and delivery device 10 provides a means by which
to allow a remote user, as defined above, to access the apparatus 1. This may
allow for a direct transmission of data and information to be entered via any
suitable data entry means located at the user's location. It should be noted
that adequate precautions are to be taken so as to prevent a nonauthorized user
from accessing the apparatus 1 and the data, information, or algorithms stored
therein. Any informational reports, if desired, may be electronically transmitted
to the user via the user interactive interface and delivery device 10 wherein
the report or reports may be output via the output means (not shown), which
may be a printer or other suitable output device, or wherein said report data
may be stored in a user memory device. </p>
<p>Utilization of the user interactive interface and delivery system 10 in FIG.
1 may be accompanied by a security scheme or means whereby the user may be required
to input a user password or access code in order to access the system and/or
decrypt data and information that has been previously encrypted. Any other suitable
security system may also be utilized to safeguard the apparatus 1 of the present
invention as well as a user's files and/or other interests. The security scheme
or means may also be provided to ensure security and confidentiality of data
and information. Further, the device 10 allows for an expedited data and information
entry process as the data and information may be entered directly and/or instantaneously
into the apparatus 1. </p>
<p>Further, the apparatus 1 of the present invention may be adapted to service
multiple users over multiple channels in a network environment such as in local
area networks (LANS) as well as wide area networks (WANS) wherein the present
invention may be utilized over communications and/or long distance communication
lines or systems such as telephone networks (phone lines) and/or radio communication
and/or satellite communication networks. </p>
<p>Further, the user interactive interface and delivery system 10 may be employed
to allow a user access to unsecured databases, or portions thereof, which may
be stored in the apparatus 1 or which may be used in association with the present
invention. The user interactive interface and delivery device 10 therefore may
also provide for a means by which the present invention may be utilized as an
on-line database. In this manner it can be seen that the present invention,
which may be utilized in conjunction with network systems described above, can
be utilized for providing vast amounts and varieties of data and information.
</p>
<p>The CPU 2 operates under the control of the system operational software which
is stored in the ROM device 3 memory device. The operational software of the
apparatus 1, as will be described in more detail below, provides for complete
control over the operation of the method of the present invention. The operational
software may be provided in any programming language (i.e., BASIC, FORTRAN,
COBOL, PASCAL, VISUAL BASIC, VISUAL C++, and any other suitable programming
language) or it may be implemented in assembly or assembler language for the
particular microprocessor or CPU utilized, depending upon the digital computer
or processor utilized as well as depending upon any of the specific application
constraints. </p>
<p>The present invention is premised upon a user interactive scheme wherein data
is input via the input device 5, into the apparatus 1 and processed so as to
provide informational reports. The operation of the present invention will be
described below with reference to FIGS. 2 through 7. </p>
<p><b>Operation--FIGS. 2 to 7</b> </p>
<p>In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, an electronic "data/info
compilation module" (DCM) 20 method is utilized to compile data and information
of interest to the end user. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention,
a nonelectronic DCM 20 method is utilized. FIG. 2 illustrates an operational
flow diagram of the steps of the electronic DCM 20 method of the preferred embodiment.
The alternate embodiment of the nonelectronic DCM 20 method will be described
at a later point below. Note that the electronic and nonelectronic DCM 20 methods
comprising the steps of FIG. 2 are optional since, as will also be described
at a later point below, information and/or data compiled by means other than
the DCM 20 method can be utilized in lieu of (as well as in addition to) data
and information compiled via the DCM 20 method. </p>
<p>The electronic DCM 20 method is initiated by the user at step 200. At step
201, the identification code of an electronic "query module" (QM)
28, which is comprised of alphanumeric strings (series of letters, numerals,
and the combination of letters and numerals) that indicate the specific QM 28
to be used, is input via the input device 5. To facilitate description of the
electronic DCM 20 method, the components of the electronic QM 28 are described
below. </p>
<p>FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of the five basic module structures of the
preferred embodiment of the present invention. The first module structures,
at block 301, will now be described; the other four modules will be described
in detail at a later point below. Note that each module utilized in the present
invention is "independent", which means that modifications made to
any one module does not disrupt the structure or content of any other module.
Beginning at block 301, three sub-modules comprising the electronic DCM 20 are:
</p>
<p>a "data/info compilation code module" (DCCM) 24, at block 301A; </p>
<p>the QM 28, at block 301B; and </p>
<p>a "response-instruction module" (RIM) 52, at block 301C. </p>
<p>The DCCM 24 is comprised of one or a plurality of files containing programming
code that operates the electronic DCM 20 program via instructions to the CPU
2. The programming code may be written in any suitable programming language.
The electronic DCM 20 may be comprised of one or a plurality of QMs 28. The
components of electronic QM 28 are described in the block diagram of FIG. 4,
beginning at block 401 and described below. Each electronic QM 28 is stored
in the storage device 8 as digital signals in at least one file. </p>
<p>The electronic QM 28 is comprised of at least one "query unit" (QU)
30, indicated at block 401A. A series of QUs 30, of any quantity, may comprise
the QM 28. Each QU 30 has two associated components, each of which are utilized
by the CPU 2 via programming code of the DCCM 24. One component is a "query
item" (QI) 32, indicated at block 401B. The QI 32, which is a question
or other means of obtaining at least one element of information and/or data
of interest to the end user, can be comprised of alphanumeric text, graphics,
pictures, sound, video, and any other format suitable for presenting questions
and other means of obtaining data and information on the presentation device
6. The other component of the QU 30 is a "query item header" (QIH)
36, indicated at block 401C. The QIH 36 is, itself, comprised of six components
which are illustrated in the block diagram of FIG. 5. </p>
<p>Beginning at block 501, the components of the QIH 36 are identified: </p>
<p>(a) At block 501A is a "query item identifier" (QIID) 44 which is
comprised of a unique alphanumeric string that identifies a particular QI 32.
</p>
<p>(b) At block 501B is a "query item format code" (QIFC) 48 which indicates
the mode of QI 32 presentation, that is, it indicates how the QI 32 is presented
in the form of text, sound, graphics, pictures, video, and any other suitable
form of QI 32 presentation (described in greater detail below). </p>
<p>(c) At block 501C is a "response instruction code" (RIC) 64 which
is an alphanumeric string that indicates the type of response instruction associated
with the QI 32 (described in greater detail below). </p>
<p>(d) At block 501D is a "branching logic code" (BLC) 112 which is
an alphanumeric string that indicates the Boolean branching logic associated
with the QI 32, which instructs the CPU 2 to branch to a particular QI 32 under
specified conditions (described in greater detail below). </p>
<p class=MsoBodyTextIndent>(e) At block 501E is a branching criterion (BC) 116
which is used in conjunction with the aforedescribed BLC 112 to define certain
conditions of the branching operation (described in greater detail below). </p>
<p>(f) At block 501F is a "branch-to location" (BTL) 120 which is used
in conjunction with the aforedescribed BLC 112 to define the destination of
the branching operation (described in greater detail below). </p>
<p>Returning to FIG. 3, the RIM 52 is located at block 301C. There may be one
or a plurality of RIMs 52 in the present invention. Components of the electronic
RIM 52 are illustrated in FIG. 4, at block 402. At block 402A is a "response
instruction unit" (RIU) 54. The RIU 54 has two components, each of which
are used by the CPU 2 via programming code of the DCCM 24. One component of
the RIU 54 is a "response instruction item" (RII) 56, indicated at
block 402B. The RII 56 presents instructions relating to how the QI 32 is to
be answered. The RII 56 may include alphanumeric rating scales (e.g., 1 through
9, true-false, yes-no, fill in the blank, multiple choice), visual objects (i.e.,
a digital pictures or videos), sound objects (i.e., digital sound recordings),
or another suitable modes of responding to the QI 32 via the input device 5.
Note that the RIU 54 may request multiple types of data, such as the use of
a RII 56 scale instructing the end user to "Enter the number of months
or `DK` if you don't know." The other component of the RIU 54 is a "response-instruction
header" (RIH) 60, at block 402C, which will be described in detail at a
later point below. </p>
<p>Returning to FIG. 2, at step 202 the name of an "independent record file"
(IRF) 40 is input via the input device 5. A "record" is a collection
of related information and/or data that are treated as a single unit, thus,
the IRF 40 is an electronic file containing a collection of related data that
are treated as a unit. In the IRF 40, a unit of information and/or data may
refer to a single "entity" (i.e., a person, company, organization,
object, situation, event, and any other entity or occurrence). Returning to
FIG. 3, one component of a "record file module" (RFM) 68 is the IRF
40, which are indicated at blocks 302 and 302A, respectively. The other components
of the RFM 68 are described in detail at a later point below. </p>
<p>The data and information in the IRF 40 are obtained via use of one or a plurality
of electronic and/or nonelectronic QMs 28. If the same QM 28 is used on multiple
occasions with the same entity, the data and information obtained from each
subsequent QM 28 can either be appended to the previously acquired data and
information in a single IRF 40 or they can be saved in new IRFs 40 in storage
device 8. These data and information are stored in files in the storage device
8 as digital signals, in ASCII delimited or any other suitable format, by the
CPU 2 via programming code of the DCCM 24. </p>
<p>Note that there are additional processes by which the IRF 40 can be constructed.
One process involves transforming a record from "internal databases"
(described later) and/or "external databases" (also described later)
into the IRF 40. The specifics of this transformation process is detailed at
a later point below. </p>
<p>A name given to the IRF 40 may be any string of alphanumeric symbols accepted
by a computer's operating system (an operating system is comprised of the programming
code that enable it to manage all of its internal tasks, functioning as the
intermediary between software and hardware). If multiple IRFs 40 are created
as a result of the aforedescribed repeated use of the same QM 28, each IRF 40
must have a different name, such as by changing the file name extension to indicate
the number of times the same QM 28 was used. Note that the electronic data compilation
method may be designed to enable input of the IRF 40 name to precede input of
the QM 28 identification code. </p>
<p>Returning once again to FIG. 2, at step 203, which is an optional step, the
name of the IRF 40 is encrypted by the CPU 2 via programming code of the DCCM
24, using any suitable computer algorithm that changes the name in such a manner
that a decrypting algorithm is required to restore the original name. The purpose
of this step is assure the confidentiality and security of the data within the
IRF 40 by minimizing the possibility that the entity to which the IRF 40 refers
can be identified by unauthorized persons. Note that any other suitable encryption-decryption
methods may be utilized, at any suitable point during the method of the present
invention, in addition to or in lieu of the aforedescribed file name encryption
routine. The encrypted IRF 40 name may be presented by the presentation device
6 at any point while the electronic data compilation method is active or it
may be withheld until verification from an authorized individual, such as via
entry of a password. </p>
<p>At step 204 in FIG. 2 the CPU 2 searches the storage device 8, via programming
code of the DCCM 24, and locates the electronic QM 28 whose identification code
was input at Step 201. At step 205 the CPU 2 "reads" (i.e., puts into
the RAM 4 and/or other suitable memory devices) the QIH 36 in "focus",
via programming code of the DCCM 24. The term "focus" is used in the
present invention to refer to the QI 32, QIH 36, RII 56, and RIH 60 currently
targeted to be read or "written" (i.e., presented via the presentation
device 6) by the CPU 2. That is, it refers to where the CPU 2 is focusing its
operations. In the QM 28 with more than one QU 30, the DCCM 24 instructs the
CPU 2 as to which specific item or header to focus upon. </p>
<p>At step 206, which is an optional step, the CPU 2 writes to the presentation
device 6 the aforedescribed QIID 44 from the QIH 36 in focus, via programming
code of the DCCM 24. At step 207, the CPU 2 reads the QI 32 that is associated
with the QIH 36 in focus via programming code of the DCCM 24. At step 208, the
CPU 2, via programming code of the DCCM 24, writes the QI 32 to presentation
device 6 as indicated by the query item format code (QIFC) 48. The QIFC 48 may
indicate that the CPU 2 write the QI 32 as text, sound, graphics, pictures,
video, and any other suitable form presentation. The QIFC 48 may also instruct
the CPU 2 to present the QI 32 for a fixed period of time, to present the QI
32 until it is responded to, to present the QI 32 sequentially in a plurality
of formats or to present the QI 32 in any other suitable manner. </p>
<p>At step 209 the CPU 2 reads the response instruction code (RIC) 64 of the QIH
36 in focus via programming code of the DCCM 24. The RIC 64 is an alphanumeric
string that indicates a specific response instruction unit (RIU) 54 associated
with a particular QI 32. The RIU 54 was aforedescribed in FIG. 4 at block 402A
as being the primary component of the response instruction module (RIM) 52.
The components of the RIU 54, furthermore, are the aforedescribed response instruction
item (RII) 56 at block 402B and the response instruction header (RIH) 60 at
block 402C. </p>
<p>Returning to FIG. 5, the components of a RIH 60 are identified, beginning at
block 502: </p>
<p>(a) At block 502A is a "response instruction identifier" (RIID) 72,
which is comprised of a unique alphanumeric string that identifies a particular
RII 56. </p>
<p>(b) At block 502B is a "response instruction format code" (RIFC)
76 which indicates the mode of RII 56 presentation, that is, it indicates how
the RII 56 is presented in the form of text, sound, graphics, pictures, video,
and any other suitable form of RII 56 presentation (described in greater detail
below). </p>
<p>(c) At block 502C is an "input prompt code" (IPC) 78 which indicates
the format of an input prompt, presented via the presentation device 6, which
prompts the user for inputting a response to the QI 32. The IPC 78, together
with programming code of the DCCM 24, instructs the CPU 2 to present a specific
input prompt. The input prompt may be a visual cue, such as a line on the presentation
device 6 upon which a response is typed on a keyboard via the input device 5;
an auditory cue, such as a beeping sound presented by presentation device 6;
and any other suitable cue for inputting a response. </p>
<p>(d) At block 502D is a "response validation code" (RVC) 92 which
is an alphanumeric string that indicates whether the type of response to the
QI 32 is acceptable (described in greater detail below). </p>
<p>Returning once again to FIG. 2, at step 210 the CPU 2, via programming code
of the DCCM 24, searches each RIH 60 of each RIU 54 within the RIM 52 until
it finds the RIID 72 that matches the RIC 64 of the QIH 36 in focus. At step
21, the RII 56 and the IPC 78 that are associated with the RIID 72 matching
the RIC 64 are written to the presentation device 6 by the CPU 2 via programming
code of the DCCM 24. The mode of RII 56 presentation is determined by the RIFC
76 as aforedescribed. Note that the RII 56 may be presented while its associated
QI 32 is presented, after a period of time following the presentation of the
QI 32, or at any other suitable time. Also note that the duration of RII 56
presentation can be equal to, less than, or greater than the duration of the
QI 32 presentation. Further note that a plurality of QIs 32 may be presented
before a single RII 56 is presented. </p>
<p>In an alternate embodiment it is possible to bypass the aforedescribed steps
209 and 210 by combining the QI 32 with its RII 56, that is, presenting the
QI 32 at step 208 that includes within it the response instructions. This involves
merging the QI 32 with the RII 56 to form an extended QI 32 that contains both
a query and response instruction. An example of this extended QI 32 is the presentation,
at step 208, of the following: "What is your gender? Enter `M` for Male
or `F` for Female". In this alternate embodiment the RIH 60 is comprised
of the aforedescribed IPC 78 and RVC 92, but is not comprised of the aforedescribed
RIID 72 and RIFC 76. </p>
<p>At step 212, a "direct response" (DR) 84 and "passive response"
(PR) 88 are input into the CPU 2 by the user via input device 5. Returning to
FIG. 3, the DR 84 at block 302D, the PR 88 at block 302E, and the QIID 44 at
block 302C are illustrated as components of a "data/info unit" (DU)
80 at block 302B. The DU 80, which is a component of the RFM 68 illustrated
at block 302, will now be described. </p>
<p>The DU 80 is the primary element of data and information in the present invention.
It may be comprised of various types of responses to the QI 32. One type of
response is the DR 84, which is an element of information and/or data input
into the CPU 2 by the user via the input device 5 in response to the QI 32.
Another type of response is the PR 88, which is an element of information and/or
data input into the CPU 2 via the input device 5, which does not require direct
input by the user. A few examples of PRs 88 are the length of time it took to
enter the DR 84 in response to the QI 32, the current date and time and, if
the computer is equipped with biological measurement equipment (such as biofeedback
apparatus), the user's current heart rate, galvanic skin response, and other
biologic measures. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, one
DR 84 that has been elicited by a QI 32 and the associated QIID 44 are the only
required elements of the DU 80. The inclusion of PRs 88 is optional. In alternate
embodiments, there may be one or a plurality of PRs 88 with no DR 84, there
may be one or a plurality of QIs 32 that elicit PRs 88 (such as showing a person
a provocative picture to elicit an autonomic response), there may be no QI 32
(such as collecting electrocardiogram readings on a resting patient), and there
may be no QIID. </p>
<p>At step 213, each DR 84 and PR 88 of the DU 80 in focus is checked for their
format validity by the CPU 2 via programming code of the DCCM 24. Returning
again to FIG. 5 at block 502D, the aforedescribed response validation code (RVC)
92 is used by the CPU 2 to determine whether the DR 84 and PR 88 are in an acceptable
format for each QI 32 with which it is associated. The RVC 92 is comprised of
alphanumeric code that indicates the valid format of each DR 84 and PR 88. A
validated DU 80 contains no invalid DR 84 and PR 88. An invalid DU 80 contains
at least one DR 84 or PR 88 in an invalid format. For example, the RVC 92 associated
with an QI 32 requesting a person's years of age, may indicate that the DR 84
greater than the criterion of 130 is invalid. </p>
<p>At step 214 the CPU 2, via programming code of the DCCM 24, notifies the user
of an invalid response via the presentation device 6. The notification may be
comprised of a visual, auditory, or other suitable cue, signal or sign. In addition,
the CPU 2 deletes the invalid DR 84 and PR 88 from the RAM device 4 (and any
other memory device utilized) and from any display device 6 in which it appears.
The process then returns to step 212. </p>
<p>At step 215 the CPU 2, via programming code of the DCCM 24, stores validated
DUs 80 as separate digital signals and/or contiguously as a partial or complete
IRF 40. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the IRF 40 is
structured in an ASCII delimited format with each data element (i.e., the QIID
44 and its associated DR 84 and/or PR 88) arranged adjacent to one another.
In alternate embodiments, any other suitable data format and data elements may
be utilized. </p>
<p>At step 216 the CPU 2, via programming code of the DCCM 24, stores each validated
DU 80 as digital signals in at least one "internal database file"
(IDF) 100. Note that this step is also indicated in FIG. 7 by the arrow pointing
from step 702 to 706. While the IRF 40 contains the DUs 80 of a single entity,
the IDF 100 contains DUs 80 of a plurality of entities structured in a manner
similar to the plurality of records in a conventional database or multidimensional
database. The records comprising the IDF 100 may also be interconnected by electronically
linking at least one of the DRs 84 and/or PRs 88 of specified IRFs 40 to at
least one of the DRs 84 and/or PRs 88 of other specified IRFs 40 that have the
same QIIDs 44. </p>
<p>Note that, when the DCM 20 method is utilized, one or both of the steps 215
and 216 need be utilized by the present invention; either, but not both, can
be disregarded (bypassed, skipped over). That is, the DRs 84 and PRs 88 must
be stored in either the IRF 40 or IDF 100, or they can be stored in both. </p>
<p>Also note that error correction routines may be employed by which the CPU 2,
via programming code of the DCCM 24, is instructed to replace specific information
and/or data that has been previously stored in the IRF 40 or IDF 100 with new
information and/or data entered into the input device 5. </p>
<p>Returning to FIG. 3, the aforedescribed IDF 100 is at block 302F. The IDF 100
comprises: </p>
<p class=MsoBodyTextIndent>a "table record" (TR) 104 at block 302G,
which is comprised of at least one of the DUs 80 of a single entity that has
been stored in the IDF 100 as a single record; </p>
<p>an "extended table record" (ETR) 144 at block 302H (described at
a later point below); and </p>
<p>an "aggregate data/info unit" ADU 146 at block 302I (also described
at a later point below). </p>
<p>Returning once again to FIG. 2, at step 217 the CPU 2, via programming code
of the DCCM 24, reads the aforedescribed branching logic code (BLC) 112 which
is illustrated at block 501D (FIG. 5), the branching criterion (BC) 116 which
is illustrated at block 501E (FIG. 5) and the branch-to location (BTL) 120 which
is illustrated at block 501F (FIG. 5) of the QIH 36. The BLC 112 is comprised
of navigation instructions that direct the CPU 2 where to focus after the user
inputs a valid response. In the preferred embodiment, BLC 112 includes alphanumeric
code instructing the CPU 2 to go to: </p>
<p>the next QI 32 in the QM 28 regardless of the previous valid response; </p>
<p>the QI 32 specified by the associated BTL 120 regardless of the previous valid
response; </p>
<p>the QI 32 specified by the associated BTL 120 if the previous valid response
is greater than the associated BC 116; </p>
<p>the QI 32 specified by the associated BTL 120 if the previous valid response
is less than the associated BC 116; or </p>
<p>the QI 32 specified by the associated BTL 120 if the previous valid response
is equal to the associated BC 116. </p>
<p>In addition, the BLC 112 instructions above can combined using Boolean logic
elements including the operators "and", "or", "not",
"if", "then", and "except". </p>
<p>At step 218 the CPU 2, via programming code of the DCCM 24, focuses on the
QI 32 which is indicated by the branching logic resulting from the process of
step 217. Note that steps 217 and 218 are optional since there is no requirement
that the QM 28 contain QUs 30 that utilize the aforedescribed branching process.
At step 219 the electronic DCM 20 method ends unless there is at least one additional
QU 30 in the QM 28. If at least one additional QU 30 exists, the process loops
back to step 205 and repeats. </p>
<p>Whereas the above describes the electronic DCM 20 method of the preferred embodiment
of the present invention, an alternate embodiment is comprised of the nonelectronic
DCM 20 method. In this alternate embodiment, at least one element of information
and/or data is obtained via nonelectronic means, such as by using paper questionnaires,
surveys, and other suitable nonelectronic means for obtaining data and information.
The nonelectronic DCM 20 utilizes one or a plurality of nonelectronic QIs 32,
each associated with the nonelectronic QIID 44 and RII 56. Data and information
obtained using the nonelectronic DCM 20 method can be input into the apparatus
1 via the input device 5, using an optical scanner, keyboard or other suitable
input device. This input process is similar to step 215 (FIG. 2) of the preferred
embodiment, except that both valid and invalid DUs 80 are stored in the apparatus
1 and, further, different input means may be used. </p>
<p>The nonelectronic DCM 20 method is comprised of additional steps which are
similar to the electronic DCM 20 method. Returning to FIG. 2 at step 213, since
each DR 84 and PR 88 are converted to digital signal form upon being input into
the apparatus 1, the format of each DR 84 and PR 88 can be validated by the
CPU 2, via programming code of the DCCM 24. This format validation process is
comprised of instructing the CPU 2 to compare the formats of all input DRs 84
and PRs 88 to criteria which are based on associated RIIDs 72. Thus, code of
the DCCM 24 of the nonelectronic DCM 20 may instruct the CPU 2 to identify each
DR 84 and PR 88 that fails to have the proper format for the RIID 72 with which
it is associated. For example, if at step 214 the RIID 72 instructs the end
user to respond with a "yes or no", but the user's DR 84 is "Disagree",
then the CPU 2 may present a warning indicator via any suitable means that the
DU 80 is invalid (such as by displaying its QIID 44 in a list of invalid responses
presented on the presentation device 6). The CPU 2 may also delete the invalid
DU 80. Unlike the electronic DCM 20 method, however, an invalid DU 80 does not
return the process to step 212. </p>
<p>Step 216 is also similar in both the electronic DCM 20 and nonelectronic DCM
20 methods. Steps 217, 218, and 219, however, are not components of the nonelectronic
DCM 20 method. Instead, when branching is utilized, the user must be informed
of the specific BC 116 and BTL 120 instructions associated with each QI 32,
such as by indicating branching instructions in print next to the QI 32 when
a written questionnaire is used (e.g., an instruction may say, "If you
answered YES to this question, skip the next three questions."). </p>
<p>Thus far, the electronic DCM 20 method of the preferred embodiment and the
nonelectronic DCM 20 method of the alternate embodiment of the present invention
have been described. The DCM 20 methods describe how data and information, comprised
of DRs 84 and PRs 88, are acquired and stored (i.e., compiled) in the present
invention. </p>
<p>A hypothetical example of the electronic DCM 20 method follows. This example
illustrates the use of the electronic DCM 20 to obtain data and store them in
the IRF 40 and IDF 100. In this example, a computer apparatus 1 is used to assess
mathematical (computational) skills in a student over time (i.e., longitudinally)
utilizing QM 28 number "1115". In this example, the entire DCM 20
process below is repeated at two different points in time, using the same QM
28 with the same student. The first time the QM 28 is utilized is the "initial
assessment" and the second time is the "final assessment". </p>
<p>Referring to FIG. 2, the evaluator (i.e., the person evaluating the student)
types in "1115" in the computer keyboard input device 5 at step 201
and then types in the student's social security number at step 202. The CPU
2, via programming code of the DCCM 24: </p>
<p>encrypts the social security number, returning the alphanumeric string "A77H49";
</p>
<p>names the IRF 40 "A77H49.001" for the initial assessment and "A77H49.002"
for the final assessment at step 203; and </p>
<p>locates QM 28 number 1115 at step 204. </p>
<p>The QM 28 in the present example is comprised of one hundred QUs 30. The QUs
30 are arranged in a sequential order in which every ten QUs 30 refer to the
same computational process, but no two groups refer to the same computational
process (e.g., the first ten QUs 30 are addition problems, the second ten are
subtraction problems, etc.). </p>
<p>The CPU 2, via programming code of the DCCM 24, then: </p>
<p>reads the QIH 36 of the first QU 30 at step 205; </p>
<p>at step 206 it writes the QIID 44 to the presentation device 6; </p>
<p>at step 207 it reads the QI 32; </p>
<p>at step 208 it writes the QI 32 to the presentation device 6, in a bold, centered,
Arial 12 point font format, as indicated by the QIFC 48, thereby presenting
a computational problem on the computer monitor; </p>
<p>at step 209 it reads the RIC 64; </p>
<p>at step 210 it searches the RIH 60 for a match between the RIID 72 and RIC
64; </p>
<p>at step 211 it writes the RII 56 to the presentation device 6, in a bold, centered,
Arial 12 point font format beneath the QI 32 as indicated by the RIFC 76, which
instructs the student to type on the keyboard the answer to the QI 32 or type
"DK" if he does not know the answer, and </p>
<p>then writes the input prompt, comprised of a one inch line below to the presentation
device 6, as indicated by the IPC 78. </p>
<p>The student then responds to the QI 32 by typing in his DR 84 at step 212.
At step 213 each DR 84 is checked (validated) by the CPU 2 via programming code
of the DCCM 24 and the RVC 92 to ensure it is either a numeral or the letter
"DK". If the DR 84 is invalid the CPU 2, via programming code of the
DCCM 24, sounds a warning beep and the DR 84 is deleted at step 214. At step
215 the CPU 2, via programming code of the DCCM 24, saves each validated DR
84 and its associated QIID 44 as the DU 80. These validated DUs 80 are saved
in an initial or final assessment IRF 40 (which ever is appropriate) within
storage device 8. The IRF 40 is in ASCII tabbed-delimited format with the QIID
44 to the left and its associated DR 84 single-tabbed to its right. At step
216 the CPU 2, via programming code of the DCCM 24, saves each DR 84 and its
associated QIID 44 (as its field) as an element in the TR 104 in a table in
a Microsoft Access IDF 100 in storage device 8. The TR 104 is assigned the ID
number A77H49 as the primary key. The initial assessment DRs 84 are saved in
one table and the final assessment DRs 84 in a second table. </p>
<p>To make the presentation of QUs 30 more efficient, the CPU 2, via programming
code of the DCCM 24, executes a branching routine at step 217 and 218. The branching
routine utilizes the BLC 112, BC 116 and BTL 120 in the QIH 36 of every tenth
QU 30 (beginning with the first) to instruct the CPU 2 to skip the following
nine QUs 30 if the student's DR 84 is "DK" and then resume with the
next QU 30 (e.g., if "DK" is the DR 84 to QU 30 number 20, then the
next QU 30 to be presented would be number 30). Steps 205 through 218 are repeated
until the QM 28 is completed. Note that this hypothetical example will hereinafter
be referred to as the "computational skill example". Further description
of this example will be postponed until it is continued at a later point below.
Attention is now turned to describing how the method of the present invention
processes at least one element of information and/or data and generates reports.
</p>
<p>FIG. 6 illustrates an operational flow diagram of the steps of the method used
in the present invention to process at least one element of information and/or
data and to generate reports (i.e., the "processing and reporting method").
The processing and reporting method, which is initiated at step 600, is utilized
to process and report at least one element of information and/or data compiled
via the electronic DCM 20 and nonelectronic DCM 20 methods. The data and information
processing component of the processing and reporting method utilizes a "data/info
processing module" (DPM) 124. Note that if the DCM 20 method is not utilized
and, instead, information and/or data are obtained via a different method and
stored in other than the IRF 40 or IDF 100, then steps 601 through 604 are skipped,
and the process resumes at step 605 (as will be described at a later point below).
</p>
<p>Returning again to FIG. 3, the DPM 124 is at block 303. The DPM 124 comprises:
</p>
<p>a "data/info processing code module" (DPCM) 128 at block 303A; </p>
<p>a "data/info processing function/formula module" (DPFM) 132 at block
303B; </p>
<p>a "data/info retrieval and processing file" (DRPF) 136 at block 303C;
</p>
<p>a "processed data/info file" (PDF) 140 at block 303D; and </p>
<p>a "data/info integration file" (DIF) 154 at block 303E. </p>
<p>The DPCM 128 is comprised of one or a plurality of files containing programming
code that operate the DPM 124 via instructions to the CPU 2. The programming
code may be written in any suitable programming language. The DPFM 132 is also
comprised of one or a plurality of files containing a single function and/or
formula or a plurality of function and/or formulas that give the CPU 2 instructions
for processing at least one element of information and/or data. The functions
and formulas utilized by the DPFM 132 may include financial, mathematical, trigonometry,
statistical, logical, lookup, reference, text, database, date and time, and
all other functions and formulas utilized by a computer processing text and/or
images and/or sounds and/or numbers. </p>
<p>Returning to FIG. 6, at step 601, the CPU 2, via either or both programming
code of the DPCM 128 and formulas and/or functions of the DPFM 132, retrieves
DUs 80 from the IRF 40 and return them to the DRPF 136. The DRPF 136 is a file
containing either or both DPFM 132 formulas and/or functions and DPCM 128 code
which are utilized, in conjunction with DPCM 128 code, to retrieve and processes
the DUs 80 from the IRF 40. The retrieval process can be accomplished by referencing,
copying, importing, "linking" (i.e., making digital signal connections
between elements) and/or by using any other suitable means for accessing or
linking to DUs 80 from within the IRF 40. Note that this process is also indicated
in FIG. 7 by the arrow pointing from step 702 to step 704. </p>
<p>At step 602 the CPU 2, via either or both programming code of the DPCM 128
and formulas and/or functions of the DPFM 132, performs the specified routines
on the retrieved DUs 80 in the DRPF 136. The following routines on at least
one element of the data or information: mathematical analyses, logical analyses,
format modification, arrangement into specified formations, and any other suitable
analysis and organization formulas and/or functions. If desired, a suitable
spreadsheet program can utilize a single spreadsheet or plurality of linked
(interconnected) and/or independent spreadsheets to perform these routines.
</p>
<p>The at least one of programming code and formula and/or function routines generate
one or a plurality of PDFs 140. The PDF 140 is a file comprised of one or a
plurality of information and/or data elements retrieved by the DRPF 136 at step
601 and processed by the DRPF 136 at step 602. Note that this process is also
indicated in FIG. 7 by the arrow pointing from step 704 to step 705. The information
and/or data elements in the PDF 140 are arranged in horizontal and vertical
grid-like formations (such as a continuous tic-tac-toe design) and/or other
suitable formations. The actual location, format, and content of the information
and/or data elements are determined by formulas and/or functions in the DRPF
136 and code in the DPCM 128. DRPF 136 templates may be utilized in which the
formulas and/or functions are organized into predetermined formations. These
formations facilitate information and/or data processing and reporting, as discussed
below. The values comprising these formations are saved to a one or plurality
of PDFs 140, which serve as an intermediate means of data/information formation
storage and a convenient and efficient means for transmission of the data/information
formations. The PDF 140 can be stored in any format that preserves the data/information
formations and can be assigned any name that enables the file to be later accessed
and its contents retrieved for further processing. </p>
<p>The computational skill example above will again be used to illustrate the
data/information retrieval, analysis, and formation routines of the processing
and reporting method of the present invention. Upon completion of the DPM 124
at step 601 the CPU 2, via programming code of the DPCM 128 and formulas and/or
functions of the DPFM 132, retrieves the DUs 80 from the student's IRFs 40 and
returns them to the DRPF 136. In this example, the DPCM 128, DPFM 132, DRPF
136 are all contained in a Microsoft Excel "workbook", which is comprised
of at least one of spreadsheets, macros, and Visual Basic modules that are saved
as a single file in storage device 8. The DUs 80 are retrieved using a Visual
Basic copy command from the DPCM 128 and lookup and reference formulas and/or
functions of the DPFM 132. Note that since Visual Basic commands and Excel functions
and formulas are generally known to persons skillful in Visual Basic and Excel
spreadsheet programming, and since there may a plurality of suitable ways in
which the code, functions, and formulas may be written, the specific alphanumeric
content and structure will not be described in detail herein. </p>
<p>The commands, functions, and formulas instruct the CPU 2 to open and activate
the initial assessment IRF 40 (named A77H49.001) and the final assessment IRF
40 (named A77H49.002), to retrieve the DUs 80 and QIIDs 44 from the IRFs 40,
and to a arrange them into a three-column array in a specific, logically determined
location in the DRPF 136 spreadsheet. </p>
<p>The first column of the array contains the QIIDs 44 of each DU 80, each QIID
44 in a subsequent, adjacent row. Note that each QIID 44, DU 80, and Excel formula
and/or function in the spreadsheet are located at an intersection between a
row and column, in what is known in spreadsheet terminology as a "cell".
The cells in the second (adjacent) column contain the DRs 84 from the initial
use of the DCM 20, each DR 84 in a cell adjacent to its associated QIID 44.
In the third column (adjacent to the initial DRs 84) are the DRs 84 obtained
via the final (second) time the DCM 20 was used. The DUs 80 in the DRPF 136
are processed at step 602, via programming code of the DPCM 128 and formulas
and/or functions of the DPFM 132, thereby generating the PDF 140, which is also
an Excel spreadsheet. Following is a detailed description of this processing
routine as it applies to the present example. </p>
<p>A fourth, fifth, and sixth column of cells have been previously entered into
the DRPF 136 spreadsheet as a template for arranging and processing the DUs
80 retrieved above. The fourth column of cells, which are adjacent to the third,
contain the correct answer for each DU 80 in numeric form. Cells in the fifth
column, which are adjacent to the fourth, contain an Excel formula that instructs
the CPU 2 to compare each initial DR 84 to its corresponding correct answer
and, if they are equal, to return the value of "1" in that cell, or
else to return a zero. Cells in a sixth column, adjacent to the fifth, contain
Excel functions that instruct the CPU 2 to compare each final DR 84 to its corresponding
correct answer and, if they are equal, to display the value of "1"
in that cell, or else to display a zero. Cells at the bottom of fifth and sixth
columns are comprised of Excel formulas that instruct the CPU 2 to compute and
return the sum total of each respective column, which represent the total number
of correct initial and final DRs 84, respectively. A cell to the immediate right
of the cell with the final correct sum total contains an Excel formula that
instructs the CPU 2 to subtract the initial sum from the final sum to return
an "actual change score" value. A positive value in the change score
cell indicates an improvement in computational skill over the time period between
the initial and final assessments and a negative value indicates worsening of
the skill. Next, the values in the DRPF 136 are saved as an Excel spreadsheet
PDF 140 via a Visual Basic driven Excel "copy-paste special-values"
function. Further description of this example will be postponed until it is
continued below. </p>
<p>Returning to FIG. 6, at step 603, which is an optional step, the CPU 2, via
programming code of the DPCM 128, appends and/or links some or all of the information
and/or data in the PDF 140 to the aforedescribed TR 104, in an aforedescribed
IDF 100 to which it is associated. This process is also indicated in FIG. 7
by the arrow pointing from step 705 to step 706. This routine adds processed
information and/or data to the DRs 84 and PRs 88 in the IDF 100 to produce the
ETR 144. The ETR 144 is analogous to a record in a table in a database in which
the record's fields are comprised of at least one DR 84, PR 88, and an element
of information and/or data processed by the PDF 140. The single ETR 144 may
be comprised of appended information and/or data elements in the single IDF
100 table or it may be comprised of a plurality of "joined" tables
(joined tables are electronically associated or interconnected using a primary
key field to relate them to one another, thereby enabling the information and/or
data elements of each table to be brought together so actions can be performed
on them as though they are a single table). Note that if step 603 is skipped,
the process immediately goes to step 605. </p>
<p>At step 604, which is also an optional step, the CPU 2, via programming code
of the DPCM 128 and formulas and/or functions of the DPFM 132, performs database
calculations (which may include sums, averages, minimums, maximums, counts,
standard deviations, variances, and other suitable calculations), groupings,
filters, sorts, queries, and other suitable database analysis functions and
formulas utilizing two or more ETRs 144 and/or TRs 104 within the IDF 100 or
a plurality of linked IDFs 100. If desired, a suitable database program can
be utilized to performs these database formulas and functions. The database
formulas and/or functions produce one or a plurality of ADUs 146, which are
comprised of information and/or data elements that can be used to determine
percentile ranks, ranges, frequency distributions, and other suitable statistical
and mathematical data and information. Note that the statistical and mathematical
computations that generate ADUs 146 provide a means by which to determine and
utilize a plurality of "norms", which are values representing standards,
models or patterns regarded as typical for a specified set of conditions. </p>
<p>The database processing routines in step 604 may be executed: </p>
<p>every time any new ETR 144 is produced; </p>
<p>every time a specific new ETR 144 is produced; </p>
<p>every time a specific plurality of new ETR 144 are produced; </p>
<p>at any other suitable interval of time; or </p>
<p>when the criteria of any other suitable condition is met. </p>
<p>The IDF 100 referred to in steps 603 and 604 is also indicated in FIG. 7 at
step 706. An additional optional step that may follow step 604, which is not
shown in FIG. 6, is instead indicated in FIG. 7 as step 707. Step 707 indicates
the utilization of an aforedescribed online analytic processor (OLAP), aforedescribed
artificial intelligence (AI) program, and any suitable statistics program (SP)
such as SPSS (by SPSS, Inc.) and EQS (by Multivariate Software, Inc.). These
data and information analysis routines access IDF 100 data, analyze them and,
as indicated by the arrow pointing from step 707 to step 709, return the results
of their analyses to one or a plurality of DIFs 154 as described below. Note
that even though only OLAPs, AI programs, and statistics programs are indicated
in FIG. 7 at step 707, any current or future technology that accesses data from
databases, analyzes and/or organizes them, and produces information suitable
for inclusion in the DIF 154 may be utilized at this step in the present invention.
Note also that these data and information analysis routines can also be utilized
to generate "factor profiles" which indicate correlated groupings
of data via factor analysis and similar statistical procedures and can be used
to reduce complex data into a smaller number of meaningful concepts. </p>
<p>Step 605 is an additional optional step if the DCM 20 is utilized and a necessary
step if the DCM 20 is not utilized. At step 605 the CPU 2, via programming code
of the DPCM 128 and formulas and/or functions of the DPFM 132, integrates (merges,
combines) information and/or data comprising the PDFs 140 with any combination
of information and/or data from: </p>
<p>(a) one or a plurality of the aforedescribed TRs 104; </p>
<p>(b) one or a plurality of the aforedescribed ETRs 144; </p>
<p>(c) one or a plurality of the aforedescribed ADUs 146; </p>
<p>(d) one or a plurality of"reference data/info files" (RDFs) 152 at
step 606; and </p>
<p>(e) one or a plurality of"external database files" (EDFs) 156 at
step 607. </p>
<p>This data and information integration routine proceeds within one or a plurality
of DIFs 154. The DIF 154 is a file comprised of one or a plurality of grid-like
structures or other suitable structures in which at least two elements of information
and/or data can be integrated by arranging their locations to form unified patterns.
The DIF 154 may be comprised of the actual DPFM 132 formulas and/or functions
and/or may receive the values resulting from formulas and/or functions located
in different DPFM 132 files via copying and/or linking commands of the DPCM
128. If desired, a suitable spreadsheet program can utilize algorithms in a
single spreadsheet or plurality of linked (interconnected) and/or independent
spreadsheets, along with suitable programming code, to organize the information
and/or data into suitable patterns. </p>
<p>Returning to FIG. 3, a "supplemental data/info module" (SDM 150),
illustrated at block 304, is comprised of the RDF 152 at block 304A (and step
708 in FIG. 7) and the EDF 156 at block 304B (and step 703 in FIG. 7). RDFs
152 and EDFs 156 may be stored in the storage device 8 of the apparatus 1 in
which the DIF 154 is located and/or in external electronic storage device connected
to the apparatus 1 via a LAN or WAN. </p>
<p>The RDF 152 is a file comprised of information and/or data in digital signal
form that is related to at least one element of information and/or data in the
PDF 140 or its associated IDF 100 (if one is utilized). The RDF 152 may comprise
one or plurality of electronic tables, "electronic libraries" or any
other suitable means for storing and retrieving data and information. Unlike
typical databases which contain only data elements and/or small units of information,
RDFs 152 can be comprised of more elaborate forms of information such as paragraphs
or pages of text and relatively complex graphics, as well as tables of data
elements. </p>
<p>The EDF 156 is any type of database "external" to the present invention
(i.e., a remote database). That is, EDFs 156 are comprised of information and/or
data not compiled by the DCM 20 method. The information and/or data in the EDF
156 can be stored in databases, spreadsheets, and any other suitable form of
storage. EDF 156 information and/or data can be retrieved and returned to specified
locations in the DIF 154 via any suitable programming code of the DPCM 128 and
formulas and/or functions of the DPFM 132. If desired, programming code, such
as "standard query language" (SQL), can be utilized to retrieve specific
information and/or data elements from the EDF 156, and spreadsheet reference
formulas and/or functions and/or other code can be utilized to position the
elements in specific locations in a spreadsheet. Note that step 607 is also
indicated in FIG. 7 by the arrow pointing from step 703 to 709. Also note that
information and/or data from the DIF 154 can be added to the EDF 156, via any
suitable programming code of the DPCM 128 and formulas and/or functions of the
DPFM 132, as indicated in FIG. 7 by the arrow pointing from step 709 to 703.
</p>
<p>If the DCM 20 method is not utilized and, instead, information and/or data
obtained via a different method are stored in the EDF 156, any record or records
in the EDF 156 may be converted to the IRF 40 by instructing the CPU 2, via
at least one of programming code of the DPCM 128 and formulas and/or functions
of the DPFM 132, to query, copy, link, or use other suitable routines to put
selected information and/or data elements and their associated field definitions
from that record into a single digital signal file. The file can then be saved
to storage device 8 with a name that identifies to whom the record belongs and
the file can then be utilized as the IRF 40. If, on the other hand, the DCM
20 method is utilized to construct the IRF 40, a similar EDF 156 to IRF 40 conversion
process may be utilized to append information and/or data from the EDF 156 to
the IRF 40. </p>
<p>The EDF 156 to IRF 40 conversion is illustrated in FIG. 7. At step 701 the
aforedescribed QM 28 is utilized to acquire information and/or data. At step
702, the QM 28 saves the information and/or data in the IRF 40. At step 703,
the arrow pointing from step 703 to step 702 indicates the EDF 156 to IRF 40
conversion process as described above, while the arrow pointing from step 703
to step 709 indicates the aforedescribed integration of EDF 156 data into the
DIF 154 (as depicted at step 607 of FIG. 6). Note that if the DCM 20 method
is not utilized, the initial step is 703 and the next step is 702. </p>
<p>An additional database to IRF 40 conversion process is available when the DCM
20 method is utilized. This process involves storing the information and/or
data acquired via the DCM 20 method in the aforedescribed IDF 100 and putting
selected information and/or data elements and their associated field definitions
from one or more specified records into a single digital signal file utilizing
a routine similar to the EDF 156 to IRF 40 conversion process described immediately
above. The file can then be saved to storage device 8 with a name that identifies
to whom the record belongs and the file can then be utilized as the IRF 40.
This process is illustrated in FIG. 7 by the arrow pointing from step 706 to
step 702. </p>
<p>The above hypothetical "computational skill example" will now be
elaborated upon to illustrate how to utilize Microsoft Excel and Access programs
to: </p>
<p>(a) add the DRs 84 from the IRF 40 to the TR 104; </p>
<p>(b) produce ETRs 144 by adding data from the PDF 140 to an associated TR 104;
</p>
<p>(c) produce ADUs 146 from the ETRs 144; and </p>
<p>(d) integrate the data and information that comprise the PDF 140, ETR 144,
ADU 146, RDF 152, and EDF 156 via the DIF 154. </p>
<p>The process begins by using Visual Basic code to copy the DRs 84 stored in
the student's initial assessment IRF 40 to their associated fields in the TR
104 in a table named "initial assessment" in a Microsoft Access IDF
100 as per step 215 (in FIG. 2) and the arrow pointing from step 702 to step
706 (in FIG. 7). In addition, the DRs 84 stored in the student's final assessment
IRF 40 are copied in the same manner to their associated fields in the TR 104
in a table named "final assessment" in the same Access IDF 100. Next,
as per step 603 (in FIG. 6) and the arrow pointing from step 705 to step 706
(in FIG. 7), Visual Basic code is used to copy the initial and final assessment
total correct values and the actual change score value from the student's PDF
140 to a third table named "totals" in the same IDF 100. Note that
the student's records in the three tables have the student's ID number (A77H49)
as the primary key. Furthermore, the tables are linked via standard Access table-linking
functions, thereby producing the ETR 144. Note that in this example, ETRs 144
from a plurality of students have previously been added to the IDF 100 tables.
</p>
<p>At step 604 (in FIG. 6) the IDF 100 totals and actual change score table are
analyzed statistically via Access query calculations to yield aggregate means
(averages) and standard deviations for the two total correct values and the
actual change score value of all the students aggregated together. These calculated
values comprise the ADUs 146. </p>
<p>At step 605 the DIF 154, comprised of a Microsoft Excel workbook file, is used
to integrate a plurality of sources containing data and information. To begin,
Visual Basic code and Excel formulas and functions in the DIF 154 instruct the
CPU 2 to copy the PDF 140 values to a spreadsheet in the DIF 154 named "DATA".
Further Visual Basic code and Excel formulas and functions then drive the following
process to expand the aforedescribed six column array of the PDF 140 which now
resides in the DATA spreadsheet. </p>
<p>First, the ADUs 146 calculated above are imported to the DIF 154 DATA spreadsheet
from the IDF 100 using Excel's "get external data" process, which
utilizes an "open database connectivity" (OBDC) driver, "dynamic
data exchange" (DDE) mechanisms, and SQL code. This process places the:
</p>
<p>(a) aggregate mean value of the initial assessment total correct score in the
DIF 154 DATA spreadsheet cell immediately below the initial total score; </p>
<p>(b) standard deviation value of the initial assessment total correct score
in the cell immediately below its aggregate mean value; </p>
<p>(c) aggregate mean value of the final assessment total correct score in the
cell immediately below the final total score; </p>
<p>(d) standard deviation value of the final assessment total correct score in
the cell immediately below its aggregate mean value; </p>
<p>(e) aggregate mean value of the actual change score in the cell immediately
below the final total score; and </p>
<p>(f) standard deviation value of the actual change score in the cell immediately
below its aggregate mean value. </p>
<p>Excel formulas and/or functions located immediately below the standard deviation
cells then instruct the CPU 2 to calculate z-scores (a statistic used to calculate
percentile rankings, which computes the difference of an individual score from
its aggregate mean in terms of standard deviation units) by: </p>
<p>(a) subtracting the initial and final assessment total correct score values
from their respective aggregate means; and </p>
<p>(b) dividing each difference value by its respective standard deviation value.
</p>
<p>Next, Excel lookup functions in cells in the next row down search an RDF 152
z-score conversion table (used to convert z-scores to percentile rankings),
which is located in another spreadsheet in the DIF 154 workbook, to match each
z-score in columns five through seven and return the corresponding percentile
value. </p>
<p>In addition, in the present example there is a hypothetical RDF 152 which is
comprised of research-based information obtained via use of the DCM 20 to assess
the effect of a mathematics enrichment program. The RDF 152 is a Microsoft Word
document containing text describing the nature and implication of the research
as well as an ASCII tab-delimited table of values indicating the average change
score obtained at every level of initial total correct values. In the present
example the student had an initial total correct value of 8 and final total
correct of 12 for a gain of 4 points. According to the RDF 152 table, an average
gain of 3 points for a student with an initial total correct value of 8 is expected
following the enrichment program. Thus, the value of 3 points is the "expected
change score." Using an Excel "object linking and embedding"
(OLE) function, the aforedescribed ASCII tab-delimited table of values are continuously
linked to a third spreadsheet in the DIF 154 workbook named "RDFLINK".
And using an Excel lookup function, the expected change score value of 3 is
returned from the RDFLINK spreadsheet to a specified cell in the DATA spreadsheet.
</p>
<p>In addition, the EDF 156 comprised of other data about the student and other
students is included in this example. The EDF 156 contains a primary field with
each student's ID number and other fields indicating the student's age, grade
level, sex, and IQ. Using Excel's aforedescribed "get external data"
process, the student's age, grade level, gender, and IQ values are retrieved
and returned to specified cells in the DATA spreadsheet. Further description
of this example will be postponed until it is continued below. </p>
<p>Returning again to FIG. 6, at step 608 one or a plurality of"portable
report data/info files" (PRDFs) 164 are saved to storage device 8 by the
CPU 2 via programming code of the DPCM 128. Note that step 608 is also indicated
in FIG. 7 at step 710. The PRDF 164 is comprised of at least one element of
the information and/or data in the DIF 154 and/or PDF 140. For consistency of
file names, the name of the PRDF 164 may be assigned the encrypted name of the
IRF 40 (as per step 203 in FIG. 2), but with a different extension to avoid
overwriting the IRF 40 with the PRDF 164, or the PRDF 164 may be assigned any
other suitable name. The PRDF 164 may be saved in any suitable file format that
maintains the data structures including, but not limited to, any suitable ASCII-delimited
format such as comma or tab delimited. The PRDF 164 may also be compressed using
any suitable compression process, such as PkZip, to reduce the amount of storage
device 8 space needed to store it. Note that any files in the present invention
may likewise be compressed in a suitable manner and decompressed prior to being
utilized. Note that error correction routines may be employed by which the CPU
2, via programming code of the DPCM 128, is instructed to replace specific information
and/or data that has been previously stored in the PRDF 164 with new information
and/or data entered into the input device 5. </p>
<p>The PRDF 164 is a component of a "report generation module" (RGM)
160. The RGM 160, which is illustrated in FIG. 3 beginning at block 305, comprises:
</p>
<p>(a) the aforedescribed PRDF 164 at block 305A; </p>
<p>(b) a "report generation code module" (RGCM) 168 at block 305B, which
is described below; </p>
<p>(c) a "report generation function/formula module" (RGFM) 172 at block
305C, which is described below; and </p>
<p>(d) a "report format file" (RFF) 176 at block 305D, which is also
described below. </p>
<p>Returning again to FIG. 6, at step 609 the CPU 2 utilizes the information and/or
data in the PRDF 164 to generate printed and electronic reports, via instructions
from at least one of programming code of the RGCM 168 and formulas and/or functions
of an RGFM 172. The RGCM 168 is comprised of one or a plurality of files containing
programming code that operates the RGM 160 via instructions to the CPU 2. The
programming code may be written in any suitable programming language. The RGFM
172 is also comprised of one or a plurality of files containing a single formula
and/or function or a plurality of formulas and/or functions that give the CPU
2 specific instructions for processing at least one element of information and/or
data used in generating a report. The formulas and/or functions utilized by
the RGFM 172 may include financial, mathematical, trigonometry, statistical,
logical, lookup, reference, text, database, date and time, and any other suitable
formulas and/or functions performed by a computer. The formulas and/or functions
of the RGFM 172 may be linked to and/or stored in one or a plurality of RFFs
176. The RFF 176 is a file, located in storage device 8 of the apparatus 1 of
the present invention and/or in a suitable remote storage device, which may:
</p>
<p>(a) contain the actual RGFM 172 formulas and/or functions; and/or </p>
<p>(b) receive the values resulting from formulas and/or functions located in
different RGFM 172 files via copying and/or linking commands of the RGCM 168;
and/or </p>
<p>(c) contain one or a plurality of pre-established templates of alphanumeric
text and/or graphics and/or sound objects. </p>
<p>Note that the PRDF 164 provides and efficient means by which to transmit data
and information in report ready form. Furthermore, since the PRDF 164 is independent
of the RFF 176, the programming code, formulas, functions, alphanumeric text,
graphics, and visual and sound objects in the RFF 176 may be modified at any
time without adversely affecting the contents or structure of the PRDF 164.
Thus, the PRDF 164 retains its integrity and usefulness even if it is: </p>
<p>(a) transferred out of the storage device containing the RFF 176; or </p>
<p>(b) transferred from an external storage device (including a floppy disk, tape,
LAN, WAN or any other suitable means for storing and transferring digital signal
files) back to where the RFF 176 is stored. </p>
<p>Operating in conjunction with the RFF 176, the programming code of the RGCM
168 and formulas and/or functions of the RGFM 172 instruct the CPU 2 to generate
output reports by presenting specified information and/or data from the PRDF
164 to the presentation device 6. The CPU 2 may, for example, be instructed
to generate a report by: </p>
<p>(a) placing information and/or data from the PRDF 164 to specific locations
in the RFF 176; </p>
<p>(b) sorting the information and/or data in the RFF 176 (e.g., alphabetically,
numerically); </p>
<p>(c) filtering (i.e., hide) specific PRDF 164 information and/or data; </p>
<p>(d) preparing specific PRDF 164 information and/or data in graphic, pictorial,
auditory form and/or any other suitable form; </p>
<p>(e) using specific font sizes, styles, and alignments, page and margin sizes,
page headers and footers, and numeric format (e.g., number of decimal places
to be displayed) in specified portions of an alphanumeric text; </p>
<p>(f) using specific colors and styles for the symbols used in graphs, still
pictures, and videos; </p>
<p>(g) using specific volumes of sound objects; and/or </p>
<p>(h) using any other suitable report generating processes. </p>
<p>Note that in addition to the information and/or data from the PRDF 164, information
and/or data from any EDF 156 and RDF 152 may be retrieved and returned to the
RFF 176 by the CPU 2 via at least one of programming code of the RGCM 168 and
formulas and/or functions of the RGFM 172. While these routines are not shown
in FIG. 6, they are indicated in FIG. 7, wherein: </p>
<p>(a) the arrow pointing from step 703 to step 711 indicates the placement of
EDF 156 information and/or data into the RFF 176; and </p>
<p>(b) the arrow pointing from step 708 to step 711 indicates the placement of
RDF 152 information and/or data into the RFF 176. </p>
<p>At step 610, the CPU 2 via instructions from programming code of the RGCM 168,
outputs the report generated at step 609 to the output device 7. The data and
information processing and reporting routine terminates at step 611. Note that
the report generation routine comprising steps 609 and 610 may be repeated any
number of times to generate a plurality of reports utilizing at least one of:
</p>
<p>(a) a plurality of different PRDFs 164 with a single RFF 176; </p>
<p>(b) a plurality of different RFFs 176 with a single PRDF 164; </p>
<p>(c) a plurality of different PRDFs 164 with a plurality of different RFFs 176;
and </p>
<p>(d) any of the three options above with the inclusion of information and/or
data from one or a plurality of EDFs 156, one or a plurality of RDFs 152 or
both. </p>
<p>The above hypothetical "computational skill example" will now be
elaborated upon to illustrate how Microsoft Excel and Access programs can utilize
the PRDF 164, RGCM 168, RGFM 172, and RFF 176 to generate and output a report.
The routine involves a series of steps during which the CPU 2 utilizes instructions
from Excel Visual Basic modules (which comprise the RGCM 168) and formulas and/or
functions in Excel spreadsheets (which comprise the RGFM 172). </p>
<p>The process begins at step 608 as the CPU 2, via Visual Basic code, copies
the values of select cells in the Excel "DATA" spreadsheet comprising
the DIF 154 to a spreadsheet (assigned the name "A77H49") comprising
the only spreadsheet in an Excel workbook (assigned the name "A77H49.XLS")
which is saved as the PRDF 164. The cell values that are copied from the DIF
154 DATA spreadsheet cells to the PRDF 164 spreadsheet cells are: </p>
<p>(a) the total number of correct initial DRs 84 and the corresponding percentile
rank; </p>
<p>(b) the total number of correct final DRs 84 and the corresponding percentile
rank; </p>
<p>(c) the change score; </p>
<p>(d) the value of "3" referring to the average units of change following
the enrichment research program; and </p>
<p>(e) the student's age, grade level, sex, and IQ which were obtained from the
EDF 156. The PRDF 164 is now complete. </p>
<p>At step 609 a report is generated utilizing the cell values in the PRDF 164
in conjunction with Visual Basic code comprising the RGCM 168, Excel spreadsheet
formulas and/or functions comprising the RGFM 172 and an Excel workbook comprising
the RFF 176. The description of this report generation process follows below.
</p>
<p>The end user begins by typing, via the input device 5, the student's encrypted
ID number in a cell in the first RFF 176 spreadsheet name "ID". The
cell had been previously formatted with a line border around it and adjusted
to a suitable height and width using Excel mouse and keyboard operations. In
the cell to the immediate left the text "Please enter the student's ID
number to the right and press Enter. Next, click on the START button below."
When clicked with the mouse, the start button, which was previously created
via the Excel "dialog sheet" and assigned a Visual Basic procedure,
initiates the Visual Basic procedure that instructs the CPU 2 to: </p>
<p>(a) find and activate the PRDF 164 with the name "A77H49.XLS" from
within the storage device 8 in which it is stored; </p>
<p>(b) copy the PRDF 164 spreadsheet values to a spreadsheet named "VALUES"
in the RFF 176 workbook; and </p>
<p>(c) retrieve the contents of the VALUES spreadsheet and return them to specified
cells in another RFF 176 workbook spreadsheet named "REPORT" via use
of linking formulas in the cells of the REPORT spreadsheet. </p>
<p>The resulting pattern of values in the RFF 176 REPORT spreadsheet, together
with previously entered text in text label cells, comprise an alphanumeric text
report. The content and structure of the REPORT spreadsheet is as follows: </p>
<p>The text label "Student's ID:", which was previously entered into
the spreadsheet, is in the first cell (i.e., the cell to the extreme upper left)
and the student's ID number is in the cell to its immediate right. </p>
<p>The text label "Today's Date:", which was previously entered into
the spreadsheet, is in the cell beneath the "Student Student's ID:"
label and a formula that returns the current date, which was also previously
entered into the spreadsheet, is in the cell to its immediate right. </p>
<p>The text labels "Age:", "Grade:", "Gender:",
and "IQ:", which was previously entered into the spreadsheet, are
located in a single column with each label in a cell immediately beneath the
one above it. The first label (i.e., "Age:") located two cells beneath
the "Today's Date:" cell. The student's age, grade level, and IQ values
are returned to cells the immediate right of their respective label cells. </p>
<p>In the cell two cells below the "IQ:" label is the previously entered
text, "Mathematical Computation Evaluation Results", formatted in
bold and underlined. </p>
<p>Beginning in the cell two cells below and one cell to the right of the "Mathematical
Computation Evaluation Results" label cell is a cell with the text label
"Percentile" and a cell to its right with the text label "Raw
Score:". </p>
<p>The cell immediately below and one cell to the left of the "Percentile"
text label cell is a cell with the text label "Initial Score:". </p>
<p>The cell immediately to the right of the "Initial Score:" text label
cell contains a linking formula that returns from the cell in the VALUES spreadsheet
the total initial correct percentile value. </p>
<p>The cell immediately to the right of the correct initial percentile value cell
contains a linking formula that returns from the cell in the VALUES spreadsheet
the total initial correct raw score value. </p>
<p>The cell immediately below the "Initial Score:" text label cell is
a cell with the text label, "Final Score". </p>
<p>The cell immediately to the right of the "Final Score:" text label
cell contains a linking formula that returns from the cell in the VALUES spreadsheet
the total final correct percentile value. </p>
<p class=MsoBodyTextIndent>The cell immediately to the right of the correct final
raw score value cell contains a linking formula that returns from the cell in
the VALUES spreadsheet the total final correct raw score value. </p>
<p>Two cells below and one cell to the right of the "Final Score:" text
label cell is a cell with the text label "Actual Change Score:". </p>
<p>The cell immediately to the right of the "Actual Change Score:" text
label cell is a cell containing a linking formula that returns from the cell
in the Data spreadsheet the raw change score value. </p>
<p>The cell immediately below the "Actual Change Score:" text label
cell is a cell with the text label "Expected Change:". </p>
<p>The cell immediately to the right of the "Expected Change:" text
label is a cell containing a linking formula that returns from the cell in the
Data spreadsheet the expected change score value. </p>
<p>The cell immediately to the right of the expected change score value contains
a formula instructing the CPU 2 to subtract the expected change score value
from the actual change score value and, if the difference between the two scores
is: </p>
<p>(a) greater than 0 (zero), to return to the formula cell the text "Change
Score is Above Expectations"; </p>
<pre><span style='font-family:Tahoma;"Times New Roman"'>(b) equal 0 (zero), to return to the formula cell the text "Change Score is As Expected"; and </span></pre>
<p>(c) less than 0 (zero), to return to the formula cell the text "Change
Score is Below Expectations". </p>
<p>The page setup for the REPORT spreadsheet is portrait orientation, adjusted
to fit on one page wide by one page tall, with one inch margins and no gridlines,
headers, nor footers. The width of the columns, height of the rows, and format
of the cell contents are adjusted as necessary for suitable appearance. </p>
<p>In addition to the REPORT spreadsheet are two graphs. The graphs were previously
designed by inserting graph sheets in the RFF 176 using the Microsoft Excel
5.0 pull-down menu "insert chart as new sheet" command and then following
the instructions of the "ChartWizard". </p>
<p>The ChartWizard process for creating the first graph is as follows: </p>
<p>The "range" are those cells in the REPORT spreadsheet containing
the text labels and corresponding values for the initial and final total percentiles.
</p>
<p>The chart type is column. </p>
<p>The chart format is option "6" (i.e., includes a Y-axis grid). </p>
<p>The data series is in columns. </p>
<p>"1" is entered into the box indicating the column(s) to be used for
labels. </p>
<p>"1" is entered into the box indicating the row(s) to be used for
legend text. </p>
<p>"No" is indicated under "Add a Legend?". </p>
<p>The chart title is "Student Progress Chart". </p>
<p>The "category axis" title is "Evaluation Designation".
</p>
<p>The "value axis" title is "in percentile points". </p>
<pre><span style='font-family:
Tahoma;"Times New Roman"'> </span></pre>
<p>The ChartWizard process for creating the second graph is as follows: </p>
<p>The "range" are those cells in the REPORT spreadsheet containing
the text labels and corresponding values for the change score and expected change
score. </p>
<p>The chart type is column. </p>
<p>The chart format is option "6" (i.e., includes a Y-axis grid). </p>
<p>The data series is in columns. </p>
<p>"1" is entered into the box indicating the column(s) to be used for
labels. </p>
<p>"1" is entered into the box indicating the row(s) to be used for
legend text. </p>
<p>"No" is indicated under "Add a Legend?". </p>
<p>The chart title is "Actual versus Expected Change". </p>
<p>The "category axis" title is blank. </p>
<p>The "value axis" title is "in raw score units". </p>
<p>The page setup for charts is landscape orientation, scale to fit page, with
one inch margins and no gridlines, headers, nor footers. </p>
<p>The contents of the aforedescribed REPORT spreadsheet and two charts comprise
the three page report of the present example. The report may be viewed on a
presentation device 6 and/or printed out via an output device 7. This concludes
the use of the computational skill example to describe aspects of the present
invention. </p>
<h5>Conclusion, Ramifications, and Scope </h5>
<p>Accordingly, the modular system of the present invention overcomes major limitations
of conventional and multidimensional databases by providing a substantially
more flexible and efficient structure by which to compile, process, transmit,
and report data and information. </p>
<p>The modules of query and response instruction items utilized by the present
invention can readily accommodate a multitude of varied and changing requests
for a multitude of different types of information and/or data, thereby easily
adapting to variable requests for data and information over time. Conventional
and multidimensional databases are substantially less flexible, having a substantially
more difficult time adapting and adjusting to end users changing needs. </p>
<p>The present invention can facilitate the compilation of information and/or
data by utilizing a branching-logic process, thereby enabling a substantially
larger number data and information elements to be compiled in a substantially
briefer period of time than can conventional and multidimensional databases.
</p>
<p>The independent record files utilized by the present invention enable a multitude
of raw data to be stored in digital signal records containing substantially
less sparseness and overhead than conventional and multidimensional databases,
thereby requiring substantially less space to store them and substantially less
time to transmit them via electronic means (e.g., LANS and WANS). </p>
<p>The independent record files utilized by the present invention can contain
a multitude of data types in a single field and can have differing fields from
record to record, thereby providing substantially greater flexibility and efficiency
than provided by conventional and multidimensional database records. </p>
<p>Any of the modules of data and information, computer programming code, and
digital signal functions and formulas utilized by the present invention can
be readily modified without disrupting the structure or content of the other
modules, thereby providing substantially greater flexibility, efficiency, and
stability than provided by the rigidly structured, interdependent components
of conventional and multidimensional databases. </p>
<p>The present invention can integrate and process a multitude of data and information
from a multitude of sources to create a multitude of digital signal patterns
which are saved in files utilized to generate reports. These digital signal
patterns provide a substantially more flexible and efficient means for storing
large quantities of complex data and information than by utilizing the linked
tables of conventional databases or by utilizing multidimensional databases.
</p>
<p>The present invention can utilize a multitude of report format files to generate
customized reports comprised of a multitude of formats and contents. These reports
can be produced with substantially greater ease, flexibility, and computing
power than can conventional and multidimensional database reports. </p>
<p>While the method of the preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizes
a computer apparatus and computer programming code, formulas, and functions
to compile, process, transmit, and report data and information, the method need
not utilize a computer nor computer programming code, formulas, and functions.
Instead, the method may utilize any apparatus able to obtain, store, analyze,
integrate, organize, and report at least one unit of information and/or data,
whereby operational commands control the apparatus which utilizes electric,
magnetic, electromagnetic, chemical, and/or other suitable forms of energy to:
</p>
<p>(a) acquire information and/or data from living entities and/or from nonliving
storage sources (e.g., databases); </p>
<p>(b) store the information and/or data in aggregate independent storage units
(e.g., database files) and/or individual independent storage units (e.g., record
files); </p>
<p>(c) analyze and/or integrate the information and/or data from one or a plurality
of sources and organize them into portable formations able to be transmitted
to different locations; and </p>
<p>(d) generate output reports. </p>
<p>Although the descriptions above contains many specificities, these should not
be considered as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing
illustrations of some of the presently preferred and various alternative embodiments
of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention includes all modifications
and/or variations of the embodiments described herein with the scope of the
invention limited only by the claims which follow. </p>
<pre><span style='font-family:
Tahoma;"Times New Roman"'> </span></pre>
<div align=center style='text-align:center'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center>
</div>
<p align=center style='text-align:center'><b><i>Claims</i></b></p>
<div align=center style='text-align:center'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center>
</div>
<p>1. An apparatus with a modular structure for acquiring, storing, analyzing,
integrating, organizing, transmitting, and reporting information and/or data
and for presenting the information and/or data as digital signals, comprising:
</p>
<p>(a) an electronic execution means providing control over said apparatus via
instructions from at least one algorithm, stored in at least one file, comprised
of at least one of computer programming code, macros, functions, and formulas;
</p>
<p>(b) a user input means for entering commands providing further control over
said apparatus, and for entering said digital signals and algorithms into said
apparatus; </p>
<p>(c) a memory means for maintaining said digital signals in electronic and/or
magnetic form; </p>
<p>(d) a data and information compilation means for acquiring and storing said
digital signals; </p>
<p>(e) a storage means for storing at least one of said digital signals and algorithms;
</p>
<p>(f) at least one independent record file and/or at least one internal database
file providing a means for storing and transmitting said information and/or
data referring to a single entity or occurrence; </p>
<p>(g) at least one processing file providing a means for processing said digital
signals; </p>
<p>(h) at least one portable report file providing a means for storing and transmitting
said digital signals in report ready format; </p>
<p>(i) at least one report format file providing a means for structuring report
formats and retrieving information and/or data from external sources; </p>
<p>(j) a presentation means for providing an indication of said operation of said
apparatus and for displaying said reports; and </p>
<p>(k) an output means for outputting said reports; </p>
<p>whereby said modular structure provides a substantially flexible and efficient
means by which to compile, process, transmit, and report data and information,
including the ability to readily modify modules without disrupting the structure
or content of the other modules; the ability to compile a multitude of data
efficiently and with minimal sparseness and overhead; the ability to enter a
multitude of data types in a single field; the ability to utilize independent
record files with differing fields; the ability to track data and information
longitudinally; the ability to integrate, analyze, and organize a multitude
of data and information from a multitude of sources utilizing a multitude of
algorithms and a multitude of data, information, and computer function and formula
patterns; the ability to transmit raw and processed data and information in
a substantially compact and efficient form; and the ability to generate, with
substantial ease and flexibility, reports comprised of a multitude of formats
and contents. </p>
<p>2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said data and information compilation means
may utilize branching logic to facilitate the acquisition of said digital signals.
</p>
<p>3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one data/information retrieval
and processing file provides a means for retrieving and processing said digital
signals from said independent record file and for storing the processed digital
signals in at least one processed digital signal file. </p>
<p>4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one internal database file provides
a means for storing said digital signals in database tables and processing said
digital signals in said in database tables via conventional and/or multidimensional
database methods, artificial intelligence methods, and statistical analyses.
</p>
<p>5. The internal database file of claim 4 wherein said internal database file
may be comprised of at least one of: </p>
<p>(a) a table record, comprising a database record in a database table, which
is comprised of at least one of said digital signal elements from said independent
record file; </p>
<p>(b) an extended table record, comprising a database record in a database table,
which is comprised of at least one of said digital signal elements from said
independent record file together with at least one digital signal elements from
said processed digital signal file; and </p>
<p>(c) an aggregate digital signal unit which is comprised of said digital signal
elements aggregated via database calculations. </p>
<p>6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one digital signal integration
file provides a means for integrating, into at least one unified pattern, at
least two digital signal elements comprising at least one of: </p>
<p>(a) said processed digital signal files; </p>
<p>(b) said internal database files; </p>
<p>(c) external database files comprising at least one element of information
and/or data residing as digital signals in other than said processed digital
signal files and said internal database files; </p>
<p>(d) reference information files comprising at least one element of reference
information in digital signal form that is related to at least one element of
said digital signals in said processed digital signal files and/or said internal
database files; and </p>
<p>(e) the digital signal output from database analysis programs, which may be
comprised of a program selected from the group consisting of online analytic
processors with multidimensional databases, artificial intelligence programs,
and statistical analysis programs. </p>
<p>7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprised of a backup system which is comprised
of: </p>
<p>(a) an electronic execution means for controlling the apparatus via instructions
of at least one algorithm; </p>
<p>(b) a user input means for entering commands providing control over said apparatus
and for entering information and/or data into the apparatus; </p>
<p>(c) a memory means for maintaining said data and information in electronic
and/or magnetic form; </p>
<p>(d) a presentation means for providing an indication of said operation of said
apparatus and for displaying said reports; and </p>
<p>(e) an output means for outputting said reports; </p>
<p>wherein said backup system provides a redundancy system for controlling the
operation of the present apparatus and for storing, presenting, and outputting
said digital signals. </p>
<p class=MsoBodyTextIndent>8. The apparatus of claim 1 comprised of a user interactive
means which is further comprised of: </p>
<p>(a) a user input means; </p>
<p>(b) a user display means; and </p>
<p>(c) a user output means; </p>
<p>wherein said user interactive means provides for remote accessing and utilization
of said apparatus, and further wherein said user interactive means facilitates
at least one of information and/or data entry, transmission and control over
said apparatus, and further wherein output data may be obtained from said apparatus
via said user output means, and further wherein said user interactive means
may be interfaced with said apparatus by means of at least one of a telecommunication
means, a radio communication means, and a satellite communication means, and
may be utilized in one of a local area network and a wide area network. </p>
<p>9. A method utilizing modular processes for acquiring, storing, analyzing,
integrating, organizing, transmitting, and reporting information and/or data,
and for presenting the information and/or data as digital signals, comprising
the steps of utilizing at least one algorithm comprised of at least one of computer
programming code, macros, functions, and formulas for: </p>
<p>(a) obtaining preexisting information and/or data from external databases;
</p>
<p>(b) obtaining new information and/or data utilizing electronic and/or nonelectronic
means; </p>
<p>(c) storing said preexisting and new information and/or data as digital signals
in at least one independent record file and/or at least one internal database
file; </p>
<p>(d) processing said digital signals; </p>
<p>(e) producing at least one portable report file; and </p>
<p>(f) generating at least one output report indicative of said digital signals
utilizing at least one report format file; </p>
<p>whereby said modular process provides a substantially flexible and efficient
means for compiling, processing, transmitting, and reporting data and information,
including the ability to readily modified modules without disrupting the structure
or content of the other modules, the ability to compile a multitude of data
efficiently and with minimal sparseness and overhead, the ability to enter a
multitude of data types in a single field, the ability to utilize independent
record files with differing fields, the ability to track data and information
longitudinally, the ability to integrate, analyze, and organize a multitude
of data and information from a multitude of sources utilizing a multitude of
algorithms and a multitude of data, information, and computer function and formula
patterns, the ability to transmit raw and processed data and information in
a substantially compact and efficient form, and the ability to generate, with
substantial ease and flexibility, customized reports comprised of a multitude
of formats and contents. </p>
<p>10. The method of claim 9, wherein the process for storing said preexisting
information and/or data comprises converting said preexisting information and/or
data from an external database into digital signals which are stored in at least
one of said independent record files; and further wherein the process for storing
said new information and/or data may comprise converting said new information
and/or data from said internal database into digital signals which are stored
in at least one of said independent record files. </p>
<p>11. The method of claim 9, wherein said process for obtaining new information
and/or data via electronic means is comprised of the steps of utilizing: </p>
<p>(a) at least one query item for obtaining information and/or data in digital
signal form by presenting a request for said information and/or data via an
electronic presentation device; </p>
<p>(b) a query item header associated with each query item comprised of the steps
of utilizing </p>
<p>(c) a query item identifier for identifying said query item with a unique alphanumeric
string; </p>
<p>(d) at least one query item format code, comprised of an alphanumeric string,
for indicating the form in which the query item is presented; </p>
<p>(e) at least one response instruction code, comprised of an alphanumeric string,
for indicating the type of response instruction associated with said query item;
</p>
<p>(f) at least one branching logic code, comprised of an alphanumeric string,
for indicating Boolean branching logic variables used to navigate the order
of presentation of said query items; </p>
<p>(g) at least one branching criterion, comprised of an alphanumeric string,
for use in conjunction with said branching logic code for defining branching
logic conditions; and </p>
<p>(h) at least one branch to location, comprised of an alphanumeric string, for
use in conjunction with said branching logic code for defining the query item
for presentation; </p>
<p>(i) at least one response instruction module comprised of at least one response
instruction unit associated with each said query item comprised of the steps
of utilizing </p>
<p>(j) at least one response instruction item for presenting, via a digital signal
presentation device, instructions indicating the manner in which said query
item is to be answered; </p>
<p>(k) at least one response-instruction header associated with each response
instruction item comprised of the steps of utilizing </p>
<p>(l) at least one response instruction identifier, comprised of an alphanumeric
string, for identifying said response instruction items; </p>
<p>(m) at least one response instruction format code, comprised of an alphanumeric
string, for indicating the form in which the query item is presented; </p>
<p>(n) at least one input prompt code, comprised of an alphanumeric string, for
indicating the format in which an input prompt is presented; and </p>
<p>(o) at least one response validation code, comprised of an alphanumeric string,
for indicating acceptable types of responses; or </p>
<p>(p) said query items with their associated response-items combined within them
for presenting said query items without utilizing said response instruction
identifier and response instruction format code; </p>
<p>whereby substantial varieties and quantities of data and information can be
acquired with substantial efficiency, and whereby substantial modifications
can readily be made to the types of data and information acquired and to the
manner in which said data and information are obtained. </p>
<p>12. The method of claim 9, wherein said process for obtaining new information
and/or data via nonelectronic means is comprised of utilizing nonelectronic
query items and response instruction items to obtain information and/or data
which are converted to digital signals. </p>
<p>13. The method of claim 9, wherein said process for storing said preexisting
and new information and/or data as digital signals in at least one independent
record file can be repeated over time; </p>
<p>whereby said digital signals in said independent record files provide an efficient
and effective means to track data and information longitudinally and to analyze
them to determine historical trends. </p>
<p>14. The method of claim 9, wherein said process for processing said digital
signals comprises the steps of: </p>
<p>(a) retrieving at least one element of said digital signals from said independent
record file; </p>
<p>(b) performing at least one processing routine on said digital signals comprising
at least one of a mathematical and/or logical analysis, formatting, and organizing
of said digital signals; and </p>
<p>(c) storing said processed digital signals in at least one processed digital
signal file; </p>
<p>whereby said digital signals are transmitted and processed. </p>
<p>15. The method of claim 9, wherein a process for storing said digital signals
in at least one internal database file comprises of the steps of storing said
digital signals in: </p>
<p>(a) a table record, comprising a database record in a database table, which
is comprised of at least one of said digital signal elements from said independent
record file; </p>
<p>(b) an extended table record, comprising a database record in a database table,
which is comprised of at least one of said digital signal elements from said
independent record file together with at least one digital signal elements from
said processed digital signal file; </p>
<p>whereby said digital signals are transmitted to and combined in database tables.
</p>
<p>16. The method of claim 15, wherein said process for storing said digital signals
in at least one of said internal database files further comprises an aggregate
data/information unit which is comprised of said digital signals aggregated
via database calculations. </p>
<p>17. The method of claim 9 wherein at least one digital signal integration file
integrates, into at least one unified pattern, at least two digital signal elements
comprising at least one of: </p>
<p>(a) said processed digital signal files; </p>
<p>(b) said internal database files; </p>
<p>(c) external database files comprising one element of information and/or data
residing as digital signals in other than said processed digital signal files
and said internal database files; </p>
<p>(d) reference information files comprising at least one element of reference
information in digital signal form that is related to at least one element of
said digital signals in said processed digital signal files and/or said internal
database files; and </p>
<p>(e) the digital signal output from database analysis programs, which may be
comprised of a program selected from the group consisting of online analytic
processors with multidimensional databases, artificial intelligence programs,
and statistical analysis programs; </p>
<p>whereby said digital signals from a plurality of sources can be saved as patterns
in a single file. </p>
<p class=MsoBodyTextIndent><span style='"Times New Roman"'>18. The method of claim
9 wherein said process for producing at least one of said portable report files
is comprised of the steps of processing at least one digital signal element
of at least one of said digital signal integration files and/or said processed
digital signal files to produce at least one of said portable report files;
and further wherein said digital signals in said portable report file are organized
into one or a plurality of digital signal patterns and stored in one or a plurality
of said portable report files; </span></p>
<p>whereby said digital signal patterns provide a flexible and efficient means
for storing and transmitting digital signals used to generate a plurality of
said output reports. </p>
<p>19. The method of claim 9 wherein the process for generating said output reports
utilizing at least one of said report format file is comprised of the steps
of: </p>
<pre><span style='font-family:Tahoma;"Times New Roman"'> </span></pre>
<p>(a) obtaining at least one element of said digital signals selected from the
group consisting of said portable report files, said external database files,
and said reference information files utilizing algorithms comprising said report
format file; </p>
<p>(b) processing said digital signals utilizing formatting templates further
comprising said report format file; and </p>
<p>(c) generating reports by presenting at least a portion of said report format
file templates and the processed digital signals therein to a presentation device;
</p>
<p>whereby said report format file templates and said processed digital signals
therein generate, with substantial ease, customized reports comprised of a multitude
of formats and contents; and further whereby said reports can be comprised of
digital signals from a plurality of sources; and further whereby said reports
can present longitudinal as well as single occurrence data and information.
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