Patent ID: 7236940
Filing Date: 2007-06-26
Classification: G06Q,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method for assessing business activities, the method comprising: retrieving historical data associated with a business activity, wherein the historical data comprises at least two parameters; generating at least one statistical model based on the historical data, the generating step comprising performing regression analysis to discover the existence of correlations between the at least two parameters; utilizing a correlation function to determine a level of confidence for each of the correlations; creating knowledge, the knowledge comprising facts and assertions, based on the generated at least one statistical model; applying the knowledge using at least one predetermined rule, the step of applying comprising determining whether the level of confidence is higher than a pre-defined correlation coefficient value, wherein a statistically valid correlation exists between the at least two parameters if the determined level of confidence is higher than the pre-defined correlation coefficient value; assessing validity of the at least one statistical model based on said applying of the knowledge using the at least one predetermined rule, wherein the step of assessing the validity comprises determining a certainty factor that provides a measure of how well the valid statistical model may predict future trends based upon the historical data; responsive to an assessment of validity of the at least one statistical model, recommending the at least one statistical model to a user; wherein the recommending step comprises providing the certainty factor to the user; and responsive to determining that the at least one statistical model is not valid, automatically generating a second statistical model.