Patent ID: 6868422

Claim:
A method of data acquisition for collecting data for entry into a computer entity, said method comprising the processes of: compiling a set of a plurality of knowledge data statements each knowledge data statement representing an element of a knowledge domain; creating one or a plurality of lattice data, each said lattice data comprising a plurality of nodes, each said node representing a knowledge data statement, said plurality of nodes arranged as a root node and a plurality of child nodes arranged in an hierarchical structure, leading to said root node; said lattice data defining belief states resulting from inter relationships between said plurality of knowledge data statements; creating a consistency matrix, said consistency matrix comprising an array of data entries representing consistency relationships between said plurality of knowledge data statements; storing said knowledge data statements in a data storage device of said computer entity; storing said consistency matrix in a data storage device of said computer entity; and storing said lattice data in said data storage device of said computer entity; wherein each said knowledge data statement is obtained as a result of a knowledge elicitation process which seeks to overturn a belief statement represented by said set of nodes.