Patent ID: 7155157
Filing Date: 2006-12-26
Classification: G06Q,G09B

Abstract:
1. A method for solving a complex problem by a plurality of problem solving contributors acting asynchronously over an interactive communication medium, said method comprising: formulating the complex problem to be solved as a problem tree having a plurality of problem nodes and problem branches coupling said problem nodes, wherein each of said plurality of problem nodes comprises either a sub-problem or a solution or partial solution to a sub-problem, and wherein contributions to the sub-problem or solutions or partial solutions to the sub-problems contribute to solution of the complex problem; associating a reward matrix with said problem tree having reward values identified with at least some of said sub-problems, each reward value comprising a reward that will be remitted to a problem solution contributor for making a problem solving contribution associated with at least one of said sub-problems; receiving a problem solution contribution to a particular one of the sub-problems from a particular problem solving contributor; dynamically modifying the complex problem formulation during its solution in response to at least one received problem solution contribution, the dynamically modifying the complex problem formulation comprises a contributor formulating and presenting at least one new sub-problem to be solved in response to problem solution contributions submitted; and remitting the reward or a portion of the reward associated with the particular one of the sub-problems to the particular problem solving contributor.