System and method for analyzing communications using multi-dimensional hierarchical structures

Abstract

A system and method is provided which processes communication into a useful multi-dimensional, hierarchical structure that illustrates visible multi-dimensional relationships between elements of the communication and also provides an understanding of the concepts underlying the communication. A communication is initially separated into its constituent elements. Queries to structured databases and novel relational tables are then performed to reference predetermined relationships between the communication elements and hierarchical categories, where information placements in the databases and tables are utilized to generate a hierarchical structure corresponding to the communication that provides a visual analysis and/or interpretation of the communication. By understanding the underlying concepts and tone of the communication, an automated communications analysis system is provided that allows prompt procedures, such as the grading and evaluation of writing, to be performed in an accurate manner.

Description

DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned features and objects of the present disclosure will become more apparent with reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and in which:

FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of a method for analyzing communication in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a representative hierarchical structure of the Process dimension versus the Situation dimension in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a representative hierarchical structure of the Decision Matrix in the Value dimension in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a representative hierarchical structure of the View dimension as applied to Decision Matrix in the Value dimension in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a representative hierarchical structure of the sub-classifications of the Parties classification in the Situation dimension versus the Process dimension in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a representative hierarchical structure for the sub-classifications of the “Higher Order Goals” in the Decision Matrix in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is another example of a representative hierarchical structure of the Decision Matrix in the Value dimension in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is another example of a representative hierarchical structure of the Process dimension versus the Situation dimension in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIGS. 9A-9E illustrate an example of the transformation of a received communication into a representative hierarchical structure of the Process dimension versus the Situation dimension in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIGS. 10A-10C illustrate an example of the transformation of a received communication into a representative hierarchical structure of the Decision Matrix in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a block schematic diagram of an exemplary computer system that may be utilized for implementing the communications analysis in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is another block schematic diagram of an exemplary computer system that may be utilized for implementing the communications analysis in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIGS. 13A-13C, 14A-14B, 15A-15B, 16A-16B, 17A-17B, 18A-18B, 19A-19B and 20A-20B illustrate examples of the communications analysis performed and output in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 21 illustrates examples of dictionary database entries for a number of words in accordance with a thesaurus aspect of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 22A-22C illustrate an example of the communications analysis performed and output in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 23 illustrates a representative output showing a depth of usage in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 24A-24B and 25 illustrate representative outputs showing the tone of the communication in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A method of analyzing communication comprising: receiving a communication including at least one communication element;transforming the communication into a hierarchical structure corresponding to the communication elements, wherein the hierarchical structure is formed to be a multi-dimensional where each dimension consists of classification information relevant to at least one of organization, meaning, reference, and understanding of the communication, wherein at least one dimension includes classification information that can be divided into categories of sub-classifications such that communication elements in the communication are transformed into corresponding classification information and sub-classifications in the hierarchical structure;analyzing the hierarchical structure to generate an output based on the received communication.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one category of sub-classifications can be divided into additional categories of sub-classifications.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein each of the divided categories of sub-classifications comprise one level within the multi-dimensional hierarchical structure such that a plurality of levels are provided within the hierarchical structure by respectively dividing certain categories of sub-classifications into yet further categories of sub-classifications.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the generated output provides an indication of a tone in the received communication based upon the analysis of the communication elements present in the hierarchical structure.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the generated output provides an indication of a depth of proper usage of communication elements in the received communication based upon the analysis of the communication elements present in the hierarchical structure

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: providing a process dimension in the hierarchical structure that includes classification information related to process criteria,wherein the process dimension of the hierarchical structure includes an analysis sub-classification category, andwherein the analysis sub-classification category is divided to further include a criteria-based sub-classification category and an assessment-based sub-classification category.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: providing a process dimension in the hierarchical structure that includes classification information related to process criteria,wherein the process dimension of the hierarchical structure includes a decision sub-classification category, andwherein the decision sub-classification category is divided to further include a decisive sub-classification category and an open options sub-classification category.

8. A method of analyzing communication comprising: receiving a communication including at least one communication element;transforming the communication into a hierarchical structure corresponding to the communication elements; andanalyzing the hierarchical structure to generate an output that provides an indication of a tone in the received communication.