Operations control

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD [Detailed description of the invention]

[Industrial application field] The present invention relates to a data analysis method and system for collecting and analyzing data using public communication equipment such as a public telephone line.

[Conventional technology and its problems] In recent years, various forms of public polling have become widely used. Telecommunications provides an expensive tool for such activities. Such telecommunications polling is somewhat automated, especially for specific test groups. However, it is often desirable to perform an analysis to confirm a particular choice for a very large group of people who have not been pre-selected for organized calling campaigns. For example, it may be desirable to obtain medical data from many groups of people, correlate such data, and use some external data to identify a selected subset of that group. It may also be desirable to selectively collect such medical data from people who have purchased test kits or the like to obtain the data.

[Purpose of Invention] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides a data analysis method and system capable of effectively and inexpensively performing analysis and selection by collecting data from an unspecified public. The purpose.

[Outline of Invention] In the present invention, it is proposed to use a long-range communication system to interface a control system with people who provide digital identity (ID) data by moving a digital mechanism. For example, interface people at a telephone office with recorded voice messages that prompt the supply of address data by pressing a number or alphabet button commonly used to make a call to another telephone office. Has been proposed. Such techniques are generally used to provide specific selected information. For example, the caller can press the dialing button to selectively address specific information on the computer of interest to him. In other embodiments, the dialing button can be pressed to identify the rank designation, as for the requested service. Such techniques offer a variety of improved possibilities, and in general, the systems of the invention are based on some recognition of those possibilities for certain. The present invention generally includes analysis and selection systems that operate in conjunction with public communications equipment, such as telephone systems. The vocalizer prompts the individual caller to provide selected digital data. The control system can qualify the caller and then provide a data cell for storing individual data , assigning (and to the caller) limited proof of identity to such data. Then test such data, as for the selection of a subset of callers. Thus, statistical analysis and selection can be accomplished effectively and inexpensively with respect to a substantially unrestricted set of callers adapted by public communication systems. In a related aspect, the caller may provide data for a commercialization plan, or various operations involving a large number of people.

[Example] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a series of remote terminals T1 to Tn (on the left). These terminals are usually the same, so only terminal T1 is shown in detail in this figure for the sake of simplification of the drawings. In this embodiment, the remote terminals T1 to Tn consist of telephones connected to communication equipment C, which can take the form of a comprehensive telephone system for interconnecting any associated terminal. Further, this communication facility C is connected to the main station D as a data development station that analyzes actual data and the like. Normally, in such a configuration, each caller uses individual remote terminals T1 to Tn to interface with the main station D via the communication equipment C. Also, according to this embodiment, the data of individual callers are collected and correlated at Headquarters D for processing according to external data. As a result, a selected subset of callers is isolated and specifically proven. Many polling or notification operations can be performed using the system according to this embodiment. For example, the public can be polled for identifying a particular buyer of an incomplete and dangerous product. Alternatively, the public may be polled to identify those who are susceptible to a particular illness or illness. Also, less seriously, especially in one of the commercial implications, the system is also used for various public communication game formats, namely public lottery, which appears to be legitimate public welfare. be able to. Considering the system of Fig. 1 in more detail, it should be understood that the communication equipment C has a multiple transmission capability of individually connecting terminals T1 to Tn to the head office C upon request. .. In this exemplary embodiment of the system, the communication equipment C consists of public telephone equipment, and the individual terminals T1 to Tn take various forms of existing telephones. This is shown in considerable detail by terminal T1 including a handset 10 (microphone and earphone) and a panel 12 having a rectangular array of pushbuttons 14. Alphabet and numeric displays are provided on the button 14 above, according to ordinary telephone display. For example, several buttons 14 carry three alphabets in addition to the decimal number. In particular, the buttons marked with the number "2" also carry the alphabets "A", "B", and "C". As such, button 14 includes the numbers "0-9", two symbols, and the alphabet excluding the alphabets "Q" and "Z". Therefore, these buttons 14 are adapted for inputting decimal data in addition to a wide range of alphabet data. In this regard, the button 14, which is indicated by the symbols "*" and "#" in addition to the number "0", is designated to represent the alphabets "Q" and "Z" or other data or commands. Can be used by assignment. Typically, in aspects of this embodiment, these buttons 14 are used and at Headquarters D formulate the digital data into various formats determined by the current particular use of the system. Headquarters D will be explained in more detail. The main station D has an interface unit 20 in which a modem, a tone decoder, and a switching mechanism are incorporated, which is connected to the communication equipment C. The interface unit 20 provides a connection to a computer 22 that can take the form of a mini-unit programmed according to, for example, the functions shown below. Normally, the computer 22 performs unique and distinct operations. In particular, the computer 22 can first qualify the caller. In this regard, the key test unit 23 qualifies the individual caller giving the key number if a selected group of callers should have access to the system. Then, during the data acquisition phase, the computer 22 receives data from the individual terminals T1 to Tn (via the communication equipment C), and systematically confirms and stores the data. Then, during the processing phase, the computer 22 performs a process of applying additional data to the stored data to separate the caller's selected subset. In addition to the key test unit 23, sub-blocks are shown in the block representing the computer 22 to represent various internal component operating units. In formulating the data records to be stored, the computer 22 uses the logical actions performed by the sequencer and encoder 24. During the statistical processing operation, the computer 22 utilizes the data test buffer 26 in addition to the statistical analysis program means 28. An exemplary operation and format for those elements will be described below. The computer 22 is connected to a voice generator 30 for selectively providing a voice message to a remote terminal currently in use via the interface unit 20 and the communication equipment C. Further, the computer 22 is connected to a memory 32 including a plurality of individual cells C1 to Cn used for storing data from individual callers by the terminal. Therefore, during the data storage phase, at the head office D, the computer 22 acquires data in the memory 32 that utilizes the individual cells C1 to Cn for each caller. Then, during the statistical processing operation, the computer 22 receives data via the command terminal 34, which data is in cell C1 of memory 32 to select and confirm a subset of individual callers. It is tested on the data retrieved in ~ Cn. Therefore, the system is useful for statistical polling to selectively identify a particular subset of data associated with a subset of individual callers. In this regard, it is also important to clearly identify the isolated subset of callers and to enable them to verify their identities. The system of this embodiment adapts to those requirements. Now, in order to separate a subset of people who are susceptible to a particular disease, i.e., by considering the exemplary behavior of the exemplary embodiments of Figure 1, the principle behavior of the system of this embodiment is more correct. Can be recognized. This exemplary behavior can involve geographical areas, such as metropolises, where certain health problems are somewhat serious. For example, the main population center where coronary disease is the main problem can be polled. Thus, those who are most susceptible to such diseases can be identified for disability measurement. In another aspect of health, the system can process the resulting data from the test kit. In particular, the test kit can be sold to the people involved who will use the kit to obtain certain health data. For example, a person can purchase a kit that includes equipment and instructions for performing various non-invasive procedures to obtain data that can indicate health status, eg pregnancy. A kit containing this device can also include a key number to qualify the buyer to access the computer 22. Granting this qualification is done by simply incorporating a look-up table into the key test unit 23 and marking the key number as it is used or "consumed". Will be told. Returning to the previous example of general polling for the center of population, people in metropolitan areas will be informed of the availability of services for statistical health analysis. Therefore, those who are interested in those individual statistical situations will be encouraged to use the service. In particular, individual callers use remote terminals T1 to TN to connect to Headquarters D via communication equipment C, thereby providing personal information. This personal information will allow statistical analysis of existing data to isolate and notify those statistically most promising people because they require disability measurements. In such applications, it is important to ensure the identity of the caller. Other applications may impose significant requirements for well-defined identity to the extent that credit card numbers and / or personal certificate numbers can be used. Next, an exemplary operation relating to a specific caller will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. Here, FIG. 2 shows a data storage format, which can be considered for a format in which data is configured in one of cells C1 to Cn of the memory 32. Pursuing the above example according to the assumption, it is assumed that it is the remote terminal T1 that has a caller who wishes to pursue health-related information based on statistical analysis. The caller picks up the handset 10 and presses the pushbutton 14 according to a normal technique to establish communication to the main station D via the communication equipment C. Upon receiving the call signal, the interface unit 20 (main office D in FIG. 1) causes the computer 22 to give an operation instruction to the voice generator 30. This operating procedure is shown in FIG. 3 to be initiated by the "entering" block 40 and then continued by the "instructing the voice generator" command block 42. With this, the voice generator 30 (Fig. 1) formulates the story. A typical form can be, for example, "Thank you for participating in the statistical analysis of coronary artery disease. Please press the call button on your phone and tell us your phone number." .. Following this instruction, the caller will continuously press button 14 to indicate his phone number, eg "6200711". This data can be taken directly from the system as it is available in the established telephone equipment within Communication Equipment C. The date can also be taken. The resulting data signal is communicated to the interface unit 20 (FIG. 1) and then fed to the computer 22 to test for a valid telephone number. This test is shown by block 44 (Figure 3). If the data signal, or response from the caller, is invalid, for example, if it contains an inappropriate decimal number, block 46 will begin to operate and instruct the voice generator 30 (Fig. 1) again. Is given. This causes the voice generator 30 to re-notify the caller, for example, "You did not enter the appropriate phone number. Please re-enter your phone number by pressing the appropriate call button." .. The caller is then assigned a predetermined period of time to make the appropriate input, which naturally shifts the system to a test operation as shown by block 48 (FIG. 3). In particular, this block 48 submits the question "Is the second attempt valid?" If the caller fails again, the system clears the record, as indicated by block 50, and ends the call, as indicated by block 52. Conversely, if the caller responds with a suitable phone number, the recording action continues, as indicated by block 54. That is, the caller's phone is stored in specific cells C1 to Cn matched with the caller. The format of cell C1 is shown in Figure 2. The first part, section 53, contains the caller's telephone number, eg, "6200711". Note that, as mentioned earlier, if the second attempt to formulate a suitable number, as represented by block 48 (Figure 3), is successful, the response will be recorded at this stage. I want to. In either case, exiting block 54 (FIG. 3) involves the following action of redirecting the voice generator as indicated by block 56. Also, if a selective group polling operation is performed, the caller is entitled by providing the "one-time" key number contained in his package, as described above. As mentioned above, the key test unit 23 can incorporate a look-up table for any key number. Appropriate numbers can be encoded using any of a wide variety of techniques. A simple example can include an exact decimal number that always sums up a particular number. The key test unit 23 tests as the first condition. The key test unit 23 then checks to see if the key given by the caller is already in use. Therefore, the key test unit 23 will easily incorporate some arithmetic testing capability in addition to the look-up table, as is well known in the art. Returning to the detailed example, the process continues after the caller is qualified. In particular, the operation instructions for the voice generator 56 (FIG. 1) as represented by the block 56 generate a request for further information from the caller. For example, the voice generator may request information by saying, "For letters Q and Z, use the phone button with the asterisk button to show your first and last name initials." it can. The detailed operation is similar to the operation shown by blocks 42 to 54 and is not shown in FIG. However, the appropriate response is also stored in storage cell C1 as shown in FIG. 2 by the number "53" stored in the first compartment 53 of the cell. The cycle of obtaining digital information from the caller is then repeated for substantially specific health data. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the next compartment 58 of cell C1 receives an accumulation of health data indicating the caller's age, weight, ..., pulse count, etc. A typical digital number is shown in Fig. 2. During the course of this telephone communication, the computer 22 formulates identification data for the caller, including a set of serial numbers in chronological order of the call, assigned designations for the call, and authorization numbers for the call. .. Such data proofs are stored in compartments 62,64,66 of cell C1 assigned according to the format of FIG. Note that data can be stored in a coded interrelationship. For example, the approval number can be associated with a call record serial number. In this embodiment, the order number of the caller in order of date and time is 4951. The approval number can be obtained from the serial number. For example, as shown, a coded relationship can be established by adding a "2" to each of the individual serial number numbers. Considering the number of examples, 4951 2222 Add without carry: 6173 According to this embodiment, the serial number in order of call date and time stored for the caller is 4951 as stored in compartment 62, whereas the approval number is stored in compartment 66, as it is stored in compartment 66. It becomes 6173. Thus, the computer expands the assigned designation number stored in compartment 64, eg, designation "4951684", and the authorization code or number stored in compartment 66, eg 6173. These values are formulated according to conventional mathematical methods during the data acquisition phase. In particular, the following operation description will be given using this formalized example number. Computer 22 (Fig. 1) gives instructions to the internal memory. Its operation is illustrated by block 68 (Fig. 3). Therefore, computer 22 retrieves the call record serial number, assigns a designation (if not pre-assigned), and encodes the serial number (unless pre-assigned) into an approved number. These operations are illustrated by block 70 (Fig. 3). Computer 22 (FIG. 1) then directs the voice generator as indicated by block 72 (FIG. 3) to provide information to the caller. In particular, for example, the voice generator 30 (Fig. 1) states, "This treatment is called No. 4951684 and is further confirmed by the approval number 6173. We repeat these, so please record these numbers. In particular, the designation number is 4951684. The approval number is 6173. Please press the phone button indicating the approval number 6173 to approve this handling. " In various applications involving safety, the order and approval of callers is very important. Therefore, the data for approval associated with the order is important. The system must undertake a test mode as indicated by block 76 (Figure 3). If the caller provides the correct approval number, the data record is approved and stored in cell C1 (Figure 2), as indicated by block 80. In addition, the voice generator 30 (FIG. 1) is continued as indicated by block 82 (FIG. 3) to signal the end of communication and the process is terminated as represented by output block 84. Also, in block 76, if the caller is unable to prove his approved number, a repetitive action is performed as indicated by blocks 86 and 88, respectively. In particular, the voice generator 30 (Fig. 1) is given instructions for the second instruction message. If this second attempt also fails, the data is cleared and the call is ignored, as indicated by block 90. If the second attempt is successful (test block 88), recording is done as described above, as indicated by block 80. As a result of the large number of call possibilities, as mentioned above, the data cells C1 to Cn in memory 32 (Figure 1) are expanded with specific information indicating a statistical sampling of the masses of interest. To. The statistically sampled data can self-generate specific conclusions about each individual subset, and / or the capture data can clearly reveal a significant subset. For example, such data can indicate a significant departure from the hypothetical standard characteristics. Such data accumulated from polling is examined by theoretical comparisons in computer 22 to select a subset of people to be separated. In addition to the self-generated conclusions available from the received data, this system can involve the adoption of external data. In the above physical health example, such external data can be taken from public statistical data. At least, the processing operation usually involves a comparative test comparing the test data supplied to the statistical analysis program means 28 via the command terminal 34 with the caller data from the individual cells C1 to Cn. As an extremely simplified example, health data, including age, weight, ... pulse numbers, can be converted to composite numbers that represent evaluation values for each of the data elements. Such composite numbers can then be placed in the data test buffer 26 for continuous testing, taking into account similarly composited numbers formed from the data in individual cells C1 to Cn. .. Based on such a comparative test, a subset such as those who have data that matches the test data given as the external data, or those who have data that does not match is identified. Perhaps those people will be informed of their situation. It should be noted here that the command terminal 34 incorporates a display device or other output data device as standard in the art to specify a subset. However, it is important that the proof is accurate. In that respect, the assigned designation as stored in block 64 (Fig. 2) and the call record serial number as stored in block 62 are important. Note that multiple comparison processing operations are desired or required to separate and confirm a subset of important interests. In the above example, the public is invited to use the above services. However, there are many alternatives that can have a very strong impact on statistical analysis. For example, the caller can be limited to the buyer of a particular product, such as a medical device for measuring blood pressure, cardiac frequency, etc. In such a situation, it will be clear that the statistical data obtained will be slightly different from the average or normal sampling. Obviously, the computer 22 can be programmed to take such things into account. In this regard, computer 22 also matches the identity data submitted by the caller. Such data can take the form of credit card numbers or personal certificate numbers. Various techniques for matching such numbers using computer technology are better known and will be recognized. Possibility to follow this example, at least revealing the data in a source that has been assembled, stored, proven, processed by testing to separate subsets, or reliably identified, Wide changes in application and format will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, commercialization planning, polling, selection, and related actions are practical. In view of the above description of the exemplary system, aspects of the invention are in many applications for accumulating statistical data, processing such data, and defining a subset of callers of interest. Can be used. That is, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and the material communication system, data format, and operating structure can be implemented with a wide range of variations, some of which have been disclosed. It can be quite different from those of aspects. Accordingly, the particular structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely examples, and in that regard they still provide the best aspects for the purposes of disclosure and the present invention. It seems to provide the basis for the claims that define the scope of.

[Effect of the invention] As described in detail above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a data analysis method and system capable of effectively and inexpensively performing analysis and selection by collecting data from an unspecified public. A brief description of the drawing FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of stored contents of a storage cell in the system of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the operation of the system of FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating. T1 ~ Tn ... remote terminal, C ... communication equipment, D ... main office, C1 ~ Cn ... memory cell, 10 ... handset, 12 ... panel, 14 ... push button , 20 ... interface unit, 22 ... computer, 23 ... key test unit, 24 ... sequencer and encoder, 26 ... data text buffer, 28 ... statistical analysis program means, 30 .. .Voice generator, 32 ... memory, 34 ... command terminal.