WO2000079422A1

WO2000079422A1 - A method of creating a decision basis

Info

Publication number: WO2000079422A1
Application number: PCT/SE2000/001300
Authority: WO
Inventors: Matias BERGSTRÖM; Pia Ikonen
Original assignee: Kemi, Andreas
Priority date: 1999-06-21
Filing date: 2000-06-19
Publication date: 2000-12-28
Also published as: SE9902368D0; AU5863400A; SE9902368L

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method, a computer program product and a computer program product carrier adapted to create a decision basis concerning a proposal, with a starting point from pre-stored items (1) of data information. Respective information items (1) are divided into a so-called order-bound part (11) and a so-called chaos-bound part (12). An information item is represented by a complex number where the order-bound part is represented by the real part of said complex number and the chaos-bound part is represented by the imaginary part of said complex number. The decision basis comprises a series of information items (b, c, d, e, f) that are iterated in a complex number plane (2) by means of a fractal equation for complex numbers.

Description

A METHOD OF CREATING A DECISION BASIS

Technical field

The present invention relates to a method of creating a decision basis concerning a proposal, with a starting point from pre-stored items of data information.

The present invention also relates to a computer program product and to a computer program product carrier that is adapted to function in accordance with the inventive method.

Description of the background art

It is known in conjunction with evaluating data information, or a number of items of data information, in a computer to process the information and therewith create a basis on which a decision can be made. This process is normally a linear process in which various logic analyses or calculations and other "hard" facts lead to a decision basis.

It is also known that when the human brain processes a large amount of information in order to reach a decision, the outer parts of the brain, the cortex, works in an ordered, logically reasoning manner with memorised facts, similar to traditional processing of data information in the aforesaid linear process.

The inner parts of the human brain also participate in a decision process, although in a chaos-bound fashion controlled by feelings, appraisements, visions and other "soft" facts; one talks about following an instinct in this latter respect.

The ordered reasoning of the human brain is combined with the chaotic reasoning in the limbic centre of the middle brain (see interbrain diencephalon) of the limbic centre, which results in a dynamic non-linear decision process that exceeds artificial decision processes, since the human instinct is combined with the logic reasoning in the decision-making process.

Reference is made to the following publications for further information concerning the way in which the brain works:

^* "Uber das Wahmehmen der Zeit als Wahrnehmen der Bewegung", Matti Bergstrόm, Physiologisches Institut, Univeritat Helsinki, Annales Academiae Scientiarum Fennicae, Series A, 106/2, Helsinki 1964; ^* "An Entropy Model of the Developing Brain", Matti Bergstrόm, Developmental Psychobiology 2(3), 139-152, 1969;

^* "Meaning and the Living Brain" - in "Search for Meaning", Matti Bergstrom, Ed. P. Pylkkanen, Thorsons Publishing Group, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, England, 1989;

^* "Creativity, a Resource of the Human Brain", Matti Bergstrom, Scand. J. Mgmt. Vol. 7. No. 3, pp. 163-171 , 1991 ;

^* "Hjarnans Resurser - en bok om ideernas ursprung", Matti Bergstrόm, Seminarium Fόrlag AB, Jonkoping, 1990, ISBN 91-86328-72-7. It should be mentioned that a basis for the formulae used in the present information is found in the following publications:

^* "The Armchair Universe, an Exploration of Computer Worlds", A.K. Dewdney, W.H. Freeman and Company, New York;

^* "The Fractal Geometry of Nature", Mandelbrot, Benoit B., W.H. Freeman and Company, 1983.

Summary of the invention

Technical problems When taking into consideration the process that a person skilled in this particular art must sustain in order to provide a solution to one or more technical problems that he/she encounters, it will be seen that on the one hand it is necessary initially to realise the measures and/or the sequence of measures that must be undertaken to this end, and on the other hand to realise which means is/are required in solving one or more of said problems. On this basis, it will be evident that the technical problems listed below are highly relevant to the development of the present invention.

When considering the present state of the art as described above, it will be evident that with a starting point from a method of creating a basis for making a decision relating to a proposal from previously stored items of data information that a problem exists in representing or simulating the ability of the human brain to take both "soft" and "hard" facts into account.

Another technical problem resides in the ability to represent or simulate the limbic system of the human brain in a decision-making process. A technical problem also resides in the ability to represent both "soft" and "hard" facts in a manner which enables them to be processed in a representation of the limbic system of the middle brain.

Another technical problem resides in the ability to represent the extent to which specific facts, either "hard" or "soft", influence a decision-making process.

A technical problem also resides in finding a representation for a start value for a decision-making process, such as a first feeling for the value of the proposal.

Still another technical problem resides in the ability to provide a formula or an equation that can produce information that can form a decision basis in a nonlinear fashion and with a starting point from available information.

Still another technical problem is one of controlling the number of items of information that are related to a decision basis and from which the basis shall be formed. Another technical problem resides in sifting through the items of information related to a decision basis and created by the method, so that those items which are in accord with criteria set by a user will be readily apparent.

Solution With the intention of solving one or more of these technical problems, the present invention takes as its starting point a method of creating a decision basis with regard to a proposal with a starting point from pre-stored items of data information.

With the view of representing or simulating the ability of the human brain to take both "soft" and "hard" facts into account, the limbic system of the middle brain is represented by a complex number plane. It will be understood that by complex number plane is meant in this document a number plane where represented numbers, complex numbers, can be divided into a real part, normally represented along the horizontal axis, and an imaginary part normally represented along the vertical axis.

Research has shown that if respective information items are divided into a so-called order-bound part and a so-called chaos-bound part, where an information item is represented by a complex number and the order-bound part is represented by the real part of the complex number and the chaos-bound part is represented by the imaginary part of the complex number, it is possible to simulate a human decision-making process by permitting a decision basis to consist of a series of information items that are created in the complex number plane by means of a fractal equation for complex numbers. Research concerning the way in which the brain functions has shown that theories within chaos research reflect in a true to life manner how the brain processes chaos-bound information in combination with order-bound information.

According to the present invention, the information that is processed is divided into two parts, of which the order-bound part consists of logic information, such as factual information or the result of analyses or calculations, and where the chaos-bound part consists of emotional information, such as ethical trends, visions, concepts or possibilities.

With the intention of providing the possibility of representing the extent to which data information shall influence a decision, it is proposed in accordance with the invention that each information item is allocated a weighting factor relating to the influence that respective information items have on a decision-making process. In the complex representation of an information item, the weighting factor is comprised of the magnitude of the real part of the order-bound part whereas the weighting factor of the chaos-bound part is comprised of the magnitude of the imaginary part.

A positive influence of a part results in a positive value being allocated to said part, whereas a negative influence of a part results in a negative value being allocated to said part.

According to the present invention, different decision bases are generated with a starting point from a chosen condition or prerequisite that constitutes a first proposal as to how a decision shall be reached. This chosen condition is represented by an information item that reflects a first feeling for the value of the proposal and constitutes a starting value for the equation used.

One example of a fractal equation that handles complex numbers is the so-called Mandelbrot equation which reads Z _n = Z_n-ι² + C, where all parameters are complex numbers where n > 0 and where Z o = 0.

One condition concerning the Mandelbrot equation is that the iterated number Z_n shall not exceed 2, i.e. |Z| < 2, so as to prevent the equation from diverging to indefinitely large values of Z. According to the present invention, a slightly modified version of the Mandelbrot equation shall be used to simulate the decision-making process in the limbic system. This equation reads: N = Z² + C, where N replaces Z in the next iteration. According to the present invention, when C represents a constant that corresponds to the proposal to be processed, Z will represent the chosen proposal and N will constitute the iterated information item that replaces Z in the following iteration.

The choice of C and Z can result in a number that is iterated towards infinitely large numbers. According to the present invention, numbers that have a real part or an imaginary part whose magnitude has a power of ten that exceeds 3 is scaled down so that the most significant digit, with signs, is retained and constitutes a value for the information item related to the decision basis.

With the intention of enabling the number of decision-basis related information items that shall constitute a decision basis to be controlled, it is proposed in accordance with the invention that the number of iterations that shall be performed in creating a decision basis, and therewith the number of decision- basis related information items generated, shall be given as an input parameter for the equation used. With the intention of providing the possibility of sifting through the created information items related to the decision basis, so as to see readily which of these items are in accord with the criteria set by a user, it is proposed in accordance with the invention that these decision-basis related information items are divided into different categories, of which a first category is comprised of information items that are in accord with set criteria, and where a second category is comprised of information items that fall outside these set criteria.

The present invention also relates to a computer program product adapted for storage in the memory of a computer, said computer program product included in its computer program code parts that are adapted to function in accordance with the aforedescribed method in the execution of the computer program product in the computer.

The present invention also relates to a computer program product carrier that is adapted for use in a computer, therewith enabling the computer program product to be transferred to and storable in the memory of the computer, and wherewith the computer program product includes in its computer program code parts that are adapted to function in accordance with an inventive method when executing the computer program product in the computer.

Advantages

Those advantages that are primarily characteristic of a method, a computer program product or a computer program product carrier according to the invention reside in enabling the decision-making process of the human brain to be simulated when evaluating a proposal that allows so-called "soft" facts to be taken into account.

The procedures characteristic of an inventive method are set forth in the characterising clause of the accompanying Claim 1 , while the characteristic features of an inventive computer program product are primarily those set forth in the characterising clause of the accompanying Claim 10. The primary characteristic features of an inventive computer program product carrier are set forth in the characterising clause of the accompanying Claim 11.

Brief description of the drawings

A method comprising the features associated with the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

Figure 1 illustrates schematically and in a highly simplified form how the parts belonging to a complex number are taken from databases and can be represented in a complex number plane; Figure 2 illustrates schematically how iterated values can vary in a complex number plane; and Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of a computer in which an inventive computer program product can be executed.

Description of embodiments at present preferred

Figure 1 thus illustrates a method of creating a decision basis with respect to a proposal or suggestion, with a starting point from pre-stored items 1 of data information. Respective information items 1 are divided into a so-called order-bound part 11 and a so-called chaos-bound part 12.

These parts can be stored per se in two different databases, an order- related database A and a chaos-related database B. Parts from the two databases A, B can then be combined arbitrarily, such as to obtain an item of information 1.

According to the present invention, an information item shall be represented by a complex number where the order-bound part 11 is represented by the real part of the complex number, and the chaos-bound part 12 is represented by the imaginary part of said complex number. A complex number plane 2 is used to represent the limbic system of the human brain, and the created decision basis comprises a series of information items b, c, d, e, f that are iterated in the complex number plane by means of a fractal equation for complex numbers.

The content of the order-related database A, in other words the order- bound parts 11 , consists of "hard" logic information, such as factual information or the results of analyses or calculations. Laws or regulations that control an activity are examples of "hard" information.

The content of the chaos-related database B, in other words the chaos- bound parts 12, consists of "soft" emotional information, such as ethical trends, visions, concepts, or possibilities. The aims and ethical evaluations of a user in respect of an activity are examples of "soft" information.

The information contained in the two databases may be combined and stored locally A, B by a user of the method, and can also be fetched from global databases A', B' that contain information items or parts of information items that are considered to be in accord with the user's "hard" and "soft" evaluations respectively.

According to the present invention, each item of information is allocated a weighting factor according to the influence that respective information items have on a decision-making process. The weighting factor used in the order-bound part 11 constitutes the magnitude of the real part, whereas the weighting factor used with the chaos-bound part 12 constitutes the magnitude of the imaginary part. A positive influence of one part results in the allocation of a positive value to said part, whereas a negative influence of one part results in the allocation of a negative value to said part. This enables said parts to be stored in their respective databases A, A'; B, B' in respect of magnitude and sign, and then to be combined to form arbitrary information items 1.

Different bases for making decisions are generated with a starting point from a chosen condition that is represented by an item of information that reflects a first feeling for the value of the proposal. This chosen condition, or the complex representation of corresponding information items, constitutes a starting value Z₀ for the equation used.

According to the present invention, a modified form of the Mandelbrot equation shall be used to simulate the decision-making process in the limbic system.

This equation has the form N_n+ι = Z_n ² + C.

According to the present invention, C is a complex representation of the proposal to be processed, Z₀, in other words the initial value or starting value of Z, constitutes the chosen condition and N is the iterated information item that replaces Z in subsequent iteration, in other words Z_n = N_n-ι, where n > 0.

The complex representation of these parameters has the following appearance:

Z_n = Xn + iyn C_n = a_n + ib_n = the proposal to be processed, a constant a₀ = the order-bound part of the proposal b₀ = the chaos-bound part of the proposal

Z_o = Xo + iy₀ = the chosen condition, i.e. the starting value of the equation x₀ = the order-bound part of the chosen condition y₀ = the chaos-bound part of the chosen condition

The square of a complex number is: Z_n ² = (x_n + iy_n)² = (x_n ² - y_n ²) + i(2x_ny_n) meaning that the equation will have the following configuration:

N_n = Zn² + C_n = (Xn² - y_n ² + a_n) + i(2x_ny_n + b„) where, as before mentioned, N_π constitutes Z in the next iteration, i.e. Z_n = N_n-ι, where n > 0.

According to the invention, the number of iterations to be performed in the creation of a decision basis, and therewith the number of generated decision-basis related information items, can be given as an input parameter for the equation. By way of illustration, there is given below a small example of how a decision basis can be generated in accordance with the described method from information contained in two simple databases. The databases have the form shown in Table 1 and have been kept very simple for the purpose of description.

Table 1

Order-related database Chaos-related database

Information Value Information Value

Has all information > 10 Full belief > 10

Has much information 6 to 10 Has belief 6 to 10

Has some information 0 to 5 Tries to believe 0 to 5

Has little information 0 to -5 Belief uncertain O to -5

Has too little information -6 to -10 Does not believe -6 to -10

Has no information <-10 Does not believe at all <-10

It is assumed that a proposal concerns the purchase of given equipment. The decision maker puts forward a proposal C which involves an attempt to believe in the purchase, and some information concerning its significance is available, that is to say C = (1+i). The starting value of the equation, however, is Z₀ = (-0.1 -iθ.1), since there is some uncertainty about the purchase.

Table 2 shows the result given by 11 iterations in accordance with the above constant and starting value.

Table 2

Real part Imaginary part

Iteration Z: -0.1 -0.1

Number C: 1 1

1 1 1

2 1 3

3 -7 -

It will be seen that certain iterations result in values that lie far beyond the databases used. As a result of the value of C, those numbers that are iterated towards infinitely large numbers also diverge, and numbers that have powers of ten above 3 are given no relevant information in accordance with the invention. Consequently, when the real part and/or the imaginary part constitutes a number that has a power of 10 higher than 3, the result is scaled down to a smaller number. This down-scaling can be effected in various ways. Figure 3 shows how down-scaling has been effected by dividing the real part or the imaginary part by 1 -10^k, where k is the power of ten of the number, and thereafter truncating the number.

Table 3

Real part Imaginary part

Iteration Z: -0.1 -0.1

Number C: 1 1

1 1 1

2 1 3

3 -7 -

4 8 -99

5 -9800 -1600

6 9 3

7 7 5

8 2 8 Iteration number Real Part Imaginary Part

9 -6 4

10 2 -6

11 -3 -3

These values are also described in a complex number plane in Figure 2.

The above example results in a decision basis according to Table 4, when it is assumed that a value that is greater than or smaller than values represented in a used database corresponds to the nearest value.

Table 4

Iteration Argumentation, decision basis

1 Have some information and will try to believe in it

2 Have some information and will try to believe in it

3 Have too little information, but believe in it

4 Have a great deal of information and do not believe at all in it

5 Have no information and do not believe at all in it

6 Have a great deal of information and shall try to believe in it

7 Have a great deal of information and shall try to believe in it

8 Have some information and believe in it

9 Have too little information, but shall try to believe in it

10 Have some information and do not believe in it

1 1 Have a little information, but am uncertain

It will be seen that the arguments swing between belief and disbelief and between sufficient information and the need for more information. A totally negative picture occurs temporarily, iteration 5, which is then followed by the feeling that sufficient information is found, iteration 6 and 7, and a belief that purchasing of the equipment is the correct decision, iteration 8.

The final proposal in this example ends roughly at the point where the process began, i.e. insufficient information and some disbelief. The entire process is very similar to the thought process of the human brain. The decision-basis related items of information can also be divided into different categories, where a first category consists of information items that coincide with set criteria, and where a second category is comprised of information items that fall outside said criteria. One such criterion 4 may require certain knowledge in order to take a decision-basis related information item into consideration. For instance, the requirement that the order-bound part of the result from an iteration exceeds -5. Figure 2 and Table 2 together show that iteration numbers 3, 5 and 9 in the illustrated example would fall in the second category of decision-basis related information items, whereas other iterations would fall in the first category of decision-basis related information items.

The present invention also relates to a computer program product adapted for storage in the memory 51 of a computer 5, said computer program product including in its computer program code parts that are adapted to function in accordance with the aforedescribed method when executing the computer program product in the computer 5.

The present invention also relates to a computer program product carrier 52 which is adapted for use in a computer 5 thereby enabling the computer program product to be transferred to and stored in the computer memory, said computer program product including parts in its computer program code that are adapted to function in accordance with an inventive method when executing the computer program product in the computer.

It will be understood that the invention is not restricted to the aforedescribed exemplifying embodiment thereof, and that modifications can be made within the concept of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying Claims.

Claims

1. A method of creating a decision basis with respect to a proposal, with a starting point from pre-stored items of data information, characterized by dividing respective items of information into a so-called order-bound part and a so-called chaos-bound part; representing an information item by a complex number; representing said order-bound part by the real part of said complex number; representing said chaos-bound part by the imaginary part of said complex number; and causing said decision basis to consist in a series of information items that are iterated in a complex number plane by means of a fractal equation for complex numbers.

2. A method according to Claim 1 , characterized in that said order-bound part is comprised of logic information, such as factual information or results of analyses or calculations; and in that said chaos-bound part is comprised of emotional information, such as ethical trends, visions, concepts, or possibilities.

3. A method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized by allocating to each information item a weighting factor according to the influence that respective information items have on a decision-making process, wherein the weighting factor of said order-bound part constitutes the magnitude of said real part, wherein the weighting factor of said chaos-bound part constitutes the magnitude of the imaginary part, wherein a positive influence of a part results in the allocation of a positive value to said part, and wherein a negative influence of a part results in the allocation of a negative value to this latter part.

4. A method according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterized by generating different decision bases with a starting point from a chosen condition; representing said chosen condition by an information item that reflects a first feeling for the proposed value, wherein said chosen condition constitutes a start value for said equation.

5. A method according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that said equation consists of the equation N = Z² + C, where C is a constant that represents the proposal to be processed, which consists of a complex number, Z constitutes said chosen condition, and N constitutes the iterated information item that replaces Z in subsequent iteration.

6. A method according to Claim 5, characterized in that when the real part and/or the imaginary part of an information item that has been iterated constitutes a number that has a power of ten greater than 3, said number is scaled down to a smaller number.

7. A method according to Claim 6, characterized in that said down-scaling is effected by dividing said real part or said imaginary part by 1 -10^k, where k is the power of ten of said number, and thereafter truncating the number.

8. A method according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the number of iterations to be carried out in the creation of a decision basis, and therewith the number of generated decision-basis related information items, is given as an input parameter of said equation.

9. A method according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterized by dividing said decision-basis related information items into different categories, of which a first category is comprised of information items that coincide with said criteria, and of which a second category is comprised of information items that fall outside said criteria.

10. A computer program product adapted for storage in the memory of a computer, characterized in that said computer program product includes in its computer program code parts that are adapted to function in accordance with a method according to any one of Claims 1 to 9 in the execution of said computer program product in said computer.

11. A computer program product carrier that is adapted for computer use, wherewith the computer program product can be transferred to and stored in the memory of said computer, characterized in that the computer program product includes in its computer program code parts that are adapted to function in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 9 in the execution of said computer program product in said computer.