Patent Application: US-201514622924-A

Abstract:
disclosed is an iterative method , system , and user interface for analysis , pattern detection , and predictive modeling of quality , health , safety , and environmental from multiple , disparate sources . this iterative method , system , and user interface makes use of user generated qualitative and quantitative data from multiple quality , health , safety , and environmental sources . sources include ; monitoring systems , witness accounts , benchmarks , and other measurement apparatuses from single or multiple geographic locations . data is acquired , categorized , aggregated , formatted , and isolated through pre - analysis algorithms . the isolated data of significance is then analyzed through an iterative methodology of user selected algorithms . the results go through a series of post - analysis testing to determine the effectiveness of the analysis . once the post - analysis testing is completed , it is entered into a continuous improvement matrix to determine methodologies and solutions to improve upon existing qhse processes . these results are processed through integrated or stand - alone computer modules and output to a user interface . the user interface provides the user options for selecting , isolating , and formatting combinations of algorithms and data analysis techniques to detect underlying patterns and predictive models in current qhse processes and to provide innovative , dynamic , and predictive continuous improvement models for improving qhse processes .

Description:
commercial and public entities are in constant search for the sustainable growth and increasing the “ triple bottom line ” of economic profit , social responsibility , and environmental protection . increasing regulations , media exposure , and global competition mean that continuous operational improvements are essential to long - term success . the often overlooked synergistic relations of quality , health , safety , and environment ( qhse ) operations provide an excellent opportunity for entities to increase production , increase their public profile , reduce costs , mitigate health and safety costs , and exceed regulatory expectations . the present invention has been developed to provide an iterative method , system , and user interface for the analysis , pattern detection , predictive modeling , and continuous improvement of qhse operations as shown in fig1 . the steps and embodiments of this invention use a computer based program , coding , and algorithms which are used as a standalone or integrated module for local , network , cloud , and mobile systems . these modules include ; data acquisition , data categorization , data aggregation , data formatting , data isolation , bayesian statistical and econometric analysis , frequentist methodologies , mixed method approaches , posterior testing , sensitivity analysis , the continuous improvement matrix , data dashboard outputs , and data export options . in reference to fig2 , data from qhse operations can come from a myriad of different sources and locations , as shown in fig2 — 200 . this invention provides a means of acquiring data from both qualitative and quantitative sources , categorizing the data , aggregating and formatting the data , and isolating data of interest to the user . data sources can be from different internal sources and departments including , but not limited to ; manufacturing lines , field service crews , monitoring devices , qhse audits , human resources , accounting , marketing , sales , and high - level management . data sources can also come from external sources including , but not limited to ; competitive benchmarking , geophysical sources , ecological sources , macro - economic data , government research projects , eye witnesses , laws , and regulations ( fig2 — 200 ). the data can be acquired from multiple users of cross - disciplinary backgrounds ( fig2 — 201 ). after the data is acquired ( fig2 — 202 ), it is categorized as qualitative or quantitative data types based on the initial source properties and metadata ( fig2 — 203 ). the categorized data then goes through a variety of pre - analysis aggregation and formatting tests ( fig2 — 204 ). these user selected tests include , but are not limited to ; normalization , parsing , clustering , dependency , and dimensionality algorithms . this aggregated and formatted data is convertible to be easily read in row and column formats . the row and column formatted data is easily readable and accessible with standard or customized spreadsheet and database software . the methods of data pre - screening are selected by the user based upon their dataset , preferences , and the needed potential improvement solutions . once aggregated and formatted the sets of data can be isolated by the user for variables of interest ( fig2 — 205 ). the isolated data can be sorted and filtered through algorithms in its stand - alone mode or from the user &# 39 ; s database and spreadsheet software . the isolated data from fig2 — 205 is input and transferred into the data analysis module ( fig3 — 300 ). this data analysis module allows the user to first specify the type of methodologies to be run based upon quantitative or qualitative data ( fig3 — 301 ). once a data type analysis is made , the user is provided iterative test selections through the computer module . frequentist methodologies are based on traditional hypothesis testing , frequencies and proportional data , averages , confidence intervals , r 2 values , and distribution test statistics . frequentist statistics estimate unknown parameters of variable relationships and tests their statistical significance . this testing methodology includes sampling , simplifying assumptions , experimental design , parameter estimations , and various regression analyses . this type of testing is often used for repeatable experiments that can be designed controlled for a null hypothesis . this type of methodology is suited to factory , manufacturing , and lab settings where high levels of control are present . bayesian methodologies are based on historical prior data distribution , likelihood functions , and posterior distribution . bayesian testing methodologies are beneficial to dynamic optimization outcomes and handling datasets with large amounts of inherent uncertainties . these uncertainties are commonly found throughout qhse datasets where variability can be location based , weather related , and disturbance related . complex ecological - social - economical phenomenon are able to be iteratively and adaptively managed through bayesian methodologies decision / game theory methodologies are used when analysis of strategic decision making is of interest . this methodology looks at the participating entities , possible choices , sequences of events , and uncertainties . data and actions of one entity influence and change subsequent data from other sources . the methodology takes into account conflicting and cooperative interactions between entities and analyzes optimal solutions based on criteria of interest . the evaluation of strategies is essential as companies look to continuously improve upon qhse processes with large amounts of existing data , external competition , and regulatory uncertainty . custom / other methodologies give the user the ability to add , design , and integrate proprietary modeling techniques . given the vast amount of data , uncertainty , and dynamic scenarios influencing qhse operations , this invention provides a large increase in utility to decision makers looking for flexible and robust models to improve upon their existing qhse operations . the qualitative selection includes a variety of methods and techniques including , but not limited to ; focus groups , ranking systems , content analysis studies , and custom solutions . a great deal of insight can be obtained by customer accounts , witness accounts , market surveys , interviews , and additional qualitative information . this invention uses proprietary codes and algorithms to discern insights into these sources , which allows subsequent analysis to take place . focus groups provide dynamic feedback and specific details on how process and operational improvements are having effect on the overall qhse of an entity . employees of geographically and socially diverse backgrounds are able to provide insight into what their perceptions , feelings , and opinions are about a project . this data is then used in a series of user selected analysis tests to continually improve upon qhse processes . case studies are important in qhse operations . the methodologies used for case studies help provide insight in evaluating existing programs , benchmarking competitive processes , and develop recommendations for future actions . multiple facets of an issue are able to be discovered to provide further insight . ranking systems vary in methodologies from simple numerical or ordinal rankings to complex algorithms . ranking systems are essential in analyzing qualitative data for continuous improvement of qhse operations . the ranking systems are selected by the user and include . but are not limited to ; friedman testing , ahp variations , kruskall wallis testing , rank sum , spearman , bootstrapping variations , and wilcoxon . custom / other methodologies give the user the ability to add , design , and integrate proprietary modeling techniques . mixed method testing and analysis merges the data from the qualitative and quantitative categories . mixed method can provide an equal and unequal merge as to what type of data is given priority over another . this type of testing and analysis allows the user to view significant variables from different perspectives . it is especially useful when combining the quantitative nature of manufacturing and ecological phenomena with social data . multiple solutions could be possible based on cultural paradigms and thought processes . this invention allows the user to take this into account , meaning that geographically different users could shows differences in resultant data . the preliminary resultant data ( fig3 — 302 ) then undergoes post - process analysis . posterior testing ( fig3 — 303 ) algorithms examine how well the tests fit and analyze the data . these post - processing tests provide validation and confirmation to the preliminary resultant data . the validated data then undergoes sensitivity analysis ( fig3 — 304 ) to provide the user insight into how incremental changes in significant variables affect the outcome of qhse operational improvements . the test resultant data ( fig4 — 400 ) then can be entered into a continuous improvement matrix . the significant conflicting variables are extruded from the data ( fig4 — 401 ) and placed into the column and row headers of the continuous improvement matrix . the conflicting variables are then compared using a series of innovative ideologies to create a solution key for qhse process improvements ( fig4 — 402 ). the solution key provides continuous improvement matrix results , which demonstrate how to mitigate conflicting data and expedite improvements through innovative ideologies in qhse operations ( fig4 — 403 ). fig5 — 500 depicts the sample layout of the user interface . the user interface provides the user a written and graphical dashboard summary of the analysis tests , posterior testing results , sensitivity analysis , and continuous improvement matrix results . this interface can be a stand - alone computer module or be integrated into standard widely used business intelligence systems , databases , and spreadsheet programs . the user is able to select the results of interest for further revisions and export options . the module provides numerous export options ( fig5 — 501 ) to the user including ; print copies , mobile device storage , local computer storage , network server storage , cloud storage . file exports are either from the stand - alone computer module or the choices used in the integrated program of the user . this invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments and illustrations ; however someone who is skilled in this art may apply variations to the system , method , and user interface without leaving behind the essence , concept , and scope of this invention . all similar substitutes , variations , and modifications are deemed to be within the scope of this invention . this invention has a diverse set of applications , and the present examples do not limit the scope of this invention . ahlroth , s ., nilsson , m ., finnveden , g ., hjelm , o ., & amp ; hochschorner , e . 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