Determining utility functions from ordenal rankings
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsJayanta Basak, Manish Gupta
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A user's preference structure in respect of alternative “objects” with which the user is presented is caputured in a multi-attribute utility function. The user ranks these competing objects in order of the user's relative preference for such objects. A utility function that defines the user's preference structure is provided as output on the basis of this relative ranking. This technique can be used to assist a buyer in selecting between multi-attribute quotes or bids submitted by prospective suppliers to the buyer.
Claims30
A method for determining a utility function based upon preferences amongst multi-attribute objects, the method comprising the steps of:
- (i) receiving a set of at least partly ordered multi-attribute objects;
- (ii) calculating an error measure associated with an implied utility function relating to the set of objects, based upon said at least partial ordering of the objects;
- (iii) revising the implied utility function in response to the calculated error;
- and
- (iv) performing steps (ii) and (iii) until the calculated error measure results in a satisfactory implied utility function.
Computer software, recorded on a medium, for determining a utility function based upon preferences amongst multi-attribute objects, the computer software comprising:
- (i) software code means for receiving a set of at least partly ordered multi-attribute objects;
- (ii) software code means for calculating an error measure associated with an implied utility function relating to the set of objects, based upon said at least partial ordering of the objects;
- (iii) software code means for revising the implied utility function in response to the calculated error;
- and
- (iv) software code means for, activating means (ii) and (iii) until the calculated error measure results in a satisfactory implied utility function.
A computer system for determining a utility function based upon preferences amongst multi-attribute objects, the computer system comprising:
- (i) means for receiving a set of at least partly ordered multi-attribute objects;
- (ii) means for calculating an error measure associated with an implied utility function relating to the set of objects, based upon said at least partial ordering of the objects;
- (iii) Means for revising the implied utility function in response to the calculated error;
- and
- (iv) means for activating means (ii) and (iii) until the calculated error measure results in a satisfactory implied utility function.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.