Patent ID: 7130836
Filing Date: 2006-10-31
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A computer-aided decision-making system, comprising: a rules-based analysis engine employing a plurality of rules, said rules being used for selecting and scoring and ranking a plurality of choices; a user interface operable to accept user-provided information and selections and responses to system inquiries, said user interface indicating system-generated reports and proposals and feedback, said user interface comprising a plurality of advocates selectable by a user for assisting in a single choice and controlled by said rules-based analysis engine to aid the user in making the single choice, said advocates being abstract personalities embodied in software and representing points of view with respect to a decision to be made on the single choice, said points of view including relatively stronger positions on some issues and relatively weaker positions on other issues; and wherein said rules-based analysis engine accepts said user-provided information and presents through said user interface choices to aid the user in making a decision, said choices being at least one of commented on and chosen by said advocates.