US6473084B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Prediction input
Assignee: C4cast com Inc
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Filing: 1999-09-08
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Granted: 2002-10-29
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Expires: 2019-09-08
Abstract
Abstract Initially, a graph is electronically displayed, the graph including a historical portion that includes historical values of the variable over time and also including a future portion. Then, a participant is permitted to designate a point on the future portion of the graph (e.g., by using an input device such as a mouse, a touch-sensitive display screen or the like) and the designated point is converted into a predicted value for the variable at a realization time.
Inventors
- 👤 G. Michael Phillips
- 👤 M. Chapman Findlay, III
- 👤 William P. Jennings
- 👤 Stephen A. Klein
- 👤 Mark E. Rice
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 11:05
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q40/00; G06Q40/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
An apparatus for facilitating the entry of prediction data for a variable, comprising: display means for electronically displaying a graph, the graph including a historical portion that includes historical values of the variable over time and also including a future portion; designation means for designating a point on the future portion of the graph; and prediction entry means for converting the point designated by said designation means into a predicted value for the variable at a realization time, wherein each of the predicted value and the realization time are based on a position of the point.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
96 words
An apparatus for facilitating the entry of prediction data for a variable, comprising: display means for electronically displaying a graph, the graph including a historical portion that includes historical values of the variable over time and also including a future portion; designation means for designating a point on the future portion of the graph; and prediction entry means for converting the point designated by said designation means into a predicted value for the variable at a realization time, wherein each of the predicted value and the realization time are based on a position of the point.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the graph also shows historical values for other variables.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising means for entering an estimate regarding uncertainty of the predicted value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein said means for entering an estimate regarding uncertainty of the predicted value permits selection of one of a discrete number of uncertainty indicators.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein said means for entering an estimate regarding uncertainty of the predicted value permits designation of uncertainty within a continuous range of degrees of uncertainty.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said designation means comprises a computer mouse.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising additional display means for graphically displaying the historical data and the predicted value for the variable with respect to a different independent variable than in the graph.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein said display means displays the historical data for the variable in a time series view.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
An apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein said display means displays the historical data for plural different variables in a time series view, and wherein said additional display means displays the historical data for said plural different variables in a rotation of the time series view.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein said additional display means also permits modification of the predicted value by alteration a location of a point corresponding to the predicted value.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising downloading means for downloading the historical data for the variable from a server across an electronic network.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein said downloading means specifies a desired granularity for the historical data of the variable.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein said downloading means specifies a desired time interval for the historical data of the variable.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said display means comprises means for indicating a division between the historical portion and the future portion of the graph.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a numeric input means for alternatively entering the predicted value in numeric form.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising means for numerically displaying the predicted value after the point has been designated and for permitting numerical alteration of the predicted value.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein plural points may be designated on the graph corresponding to predicted values for the variable at plural different realization times.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising means for highlighting a current position on the graph tentatively designated by said designation means, and means for obtaining data linked to said current position.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising means for matching the predicted value to different prediction models and identifying a closest prediction model.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 19 , further comprising means for providing information regarding data implicit in the predicted value, based on said closest prediction model.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising means for providing an additional graph of a requested mathematical transformation of data.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
171 words
An apparatus for facilitating the entry of prediction data for a variable, comprising: display means for electronically displaying a graph, the graph including a historical portion that includes historical values of the variable over time and also including a future portion; designation means for designating a point on the future portion of the graph; prediction entry means for converting the point designated by said designation means into a predicted value for the variable at a realization time, wherein each of the predicted value and the realization time are based on a position of the point; numeric entry means for numerically displaying the predicted value after the point has been designated and for permitting numerical alteration of the predicted value; and additional display means for graphically displaying the historical data and the predicted value for the variable with respect to a different independent variable than in the graph, wherein said additional display means also permits modification of the predicted value by altering a location of a point corresponding to the predicted value.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
171 words
An apparatus for facilitating the entry of prediction data for a variable, comprising: display means for electronically displaying a graph, the graph including a historical portion that includes historical values of the variable over time and also including a future portion; designation means for designating a point on the future portion of the graph; prediction entry means for converting the point designated by said designation means into a predicted value for the variable at a realization time, wherein each of the predicted value and the realization time are based on a position of the point; numeric entry means for numerically displaying the predicted value after the point has been designated and for permitting numerical alteration of the predicted value; and additional display means for graphically displaying the historical data and the predicted value for the variable with respect to a different independent variable than in the graph, wherein said additional display means also permits modification of the predicted value by altering a location of a point corresponding to the predicted value.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 22 , wherein the graph also shows historical values for other variables.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 22 , further comprising means for entering an estimate regarding uncertainty of the predicted value.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 22 , further comprising a numeric input means for alternatively entering the predicted value in numeric form.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for entering prediction data for a variable, comprising: causing a graph to be electronically displayed, the graph including a historical portion that includes historical values of the variable over time and also including a future portion; designating a point on the future portion of the graph, a position of the point corresponding to a predicted value for the variable at a realization time and to the realization time; entering the predicted value; and numerically altering the predicted value after designating the point but before entering the predicted value.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for entering prediction data for a variable, comprising: causing a graph to be electronically displayed, the graph including a historical portion that includes historical values of the variable over time and also including a future portion; designating a point on the future portion of the graph, a position of the point corresponding to a predicted value for the variable at a realization time and to the realization time; entering the predicted value; and numerically altering the predicted value after designating the point but before entering the predicted value.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 26 , further comprising a step of entering an estimate regarding uncertainty of the predicted value.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
102 words
A computer-readable medium storing computer executable process steps, said process steps for facilitating the entry of prediction data for a variable, said process steps comprising steps to: electronically display a graph, the graph including a historical portion that includes historical values of the variable over time and also including a future portion; permit designation of a point on the future portion of the graph; and convert the point designated by said designation means into a predicted value for the variable at a realization time, wherein each of the predicted value and the realization time are based on a position of the point.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
102 words
A computer-readable medium storing computer executable process steps, said process steps for facilitating the entry of prediction data for a variable, said process steps comprising steps to: electronically display a graph, the graph including a historical portion that includes historical values of the variable over time and also including a future portion; permit designation of a point on the future portion of the graph; and convert the point designated by said designation means into a predicted value for the variable at a realization time, wherein each of the predicted value and the realization time are based on a position of the point.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
121 words
An apparatus for facilitating the entry of prediction data for a variable, comprising: a processor for executing stored program instruction steps; and a memory connected to the processor for storing the program instruction steps, wherein the program instruction steps include steps to: (a) electronically display a graph, the graph including a historical portion that includes historical values of the variable over time and also including a future portion; (b) permit designation of a point on the future portion of the graph; and (c) convert the point designated by said designation means into a predicted value for the variable at a realization time, and wherein each of the predicted value and the realization time are based on a position of the point.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
121 words
An apparatus for facilitating the entry of prediction data for a variable, comprising: a processor for executing stored program instruction steps; and a memory connected to the processor for storing the program instruction steps, wherein the program instruction steps include steps to: (a) electronically display a graph, the graph including a historical portion that includes historical values of the variable over time and also including a future portion; (b) permit designation of a point on the future portion of the graph; and (c) convert the point designated by said designation means into a predicted value for the variable at a realization time, and wherein each of the predicted value and the realization time are based on a position of the point.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-10-28 | 2006-04-29 | 2006-10-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-10-28 | 2010-04-29 | 2010-10-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-10-28 | 2014-04-29 | 2014-10-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |