Method for compiling and selecting data attributes

A system for compiling data characterizing an object, the system comprising:

• acquisition means for acquiring values of attributes that characterize the object;
• difference means for determining the equivalence, vel non, of at least two independently acquired values of the same attribute;
• a database coupled to the difference means, the database for storing values of the attributes, which values have been error checked;
• and
• means coupled to the database for extracting values of attributes and for compiling the values so as to characterize the object.

A method of compiling data to specify an object, the method comprising the steps:

• (a)(i) accessing, via a first agent, a global source of information that contains values of attributes that characterize the object, the global source including the worldwide web, electronic data sheets, paper catalogues, and CDROMs;
• (a)(ii) comparing a value of an attribute accessed by the first agent to a predetermined list of values, which list contains an accurate value of the attribute;
• (a)(iii) selecting a value of the attribute that is acceptably equivalent to a predetermined accurate value;
• (a)(iv) writing the value selected in step (a)(iii) into a database;
• (b)(i) accessing, via a second agent, a global source of information that contains values of attributes that characterize the object, the global source including the worldwide web, electronic data sheets, paper catalogues, and CDROMs;
• (b)(ii) comparing a value of an attribute accessed by the second agent to a predetermined list of values, which list contains an accurate value of the attribute;
• (b)(iii) selecting a value of the attribute that is acceptably equivalent to a predetermined accurate value;
• (b)(iv) writing the value selected in step (b)(iii) into a database;
• (c) causing a difference engine to retrieve from the database values of the attribute written into the database in the course of performance of step (a) and step (b) above, comparing the values retrieved, and, if the values retrieved are equal, retaining the equal value in the database.

In a system that utilizes a plurality of acquisition agents for respectively and independently acquiring values of an attribute for characterizing an object, wherein each of the agents acquires a value by searching a source of information regarding the object and, as a result of the search, selects value of the attribute, a data compiler comprising:

• a database having one or more inputs for coupling to the agents to accept values selected by the agents;
• and
• a difference engine coupled to-the database for:
• (i) reading two or more values of the attributes that have been selected by agents and are stored in the database,
• (ii) comparing the two or more values, and
• (iii) if the values that are compared are equivalent, causing a value to be retained by the database, and
• (iv) if the values that are compared are not equivalent, causing a reconciliation process to be invoked.

A data collection and compilation system for creating, storing, and distributing a record that characterizes an object, the record containing values of a predetermined array of attributes that characterize the object, the system comprising:

• a first database for storing the record;
• a processor coupling a first research analyst to a global source of information containing candidate values of the attributes and coupling the first research analyst to the database for entering into the record values selected by the first research analyst, the global source including the worldwide web, electronic data sheets, paper catalogues, and CDROMs;
• a processor coupling a second research analyst to a global source of information containing candidate values of the attributes and coupling the second research analyst to the database for entering into the record values selected by the second research analyst, the global source including the worldwide web, electronic data sheets, paper catalogues, and CDROMs;
• a difference engine coupled to the first database for (i) reading and comparing the respective values entered by the first and the second research analysts, (ii) for comparing those values, and (iii) for causing to be inserted into the record status information that indicates whether the values compared are equivalent or not equivalent;
• and
• a processor for coupling a reconciliation agent to the first database for enabling the reconciliation agent to read a record that contains status information that indicates that values compared by the difference engine were not equivalent and for enabling the reconciliation agent to enter a reconciled value for the attribute.

In a system that utilizes a plurality of acquisition agents for respectively and independently acquiring values of an attribute for characterizing an object, wherein each of the agents acquires a value by searching a source of information regarding the object and, as a result of the search, selects and enters into a database a value of the attribute:

• a difference engine coupled to the database for:
• (i) reading two or more values of the attributes that have been selected by agents and are stored in the database,
• (ii) comparing the two or more values,
• (iii) if the values that are compared are determined by the difference engine to be equivalent, causing a value to be retained by the database, and
• (iv) if the values that are compared are determined by the difference engine not to be equivalent, causing a reconciliation process to be invoked.

A method of compiling data to specify an object, the method comprising the steps:

• (a) establishing a predetermined array of attributes to characterize the object, which array includes at least one attribute that is constituted from an undefined number of subattributes of the same type;
• (b)(i) by virtue of a first acquisition agent, determining the undefined number of subattributes and acquiring a first set of values for the number of subattributes determined by the first acquisition agent;
• and
• (b)(ii) by virtue of a second acquisition agent, and substantially independent of the first acquisition agent, determining the undefined number of subattributes and acquiring a second set of values for the undefined number of subattributes determined by the second acquisition agent, wherein the undefined number of subattributes is respectively, and independently, determined by the first and by the second acquisition agents in the course of acquisition of the values.