Attribute Prediction Using Attribute Combinations
A method and system are presented in which statistical predictions are generated to indicate whether an individual has or will acquire an attribute designated in a query. The predictions are generated based on a first set of attributes associated with the individual and a second set of attribute combinations and statistical results that indicate the strength of association of each attribute combination with the query attribute.
1 . A computer based method for attribute prediction, comprising:
a) receiving a query attribute;
b) accessing a first set containing attributes associated with an individual;
c) accessing a second set containing attribute combinations and statistical results that indicate the strength of association of each of the attribute combinations with the query attribute;
d) identifying one or more attribute combinations in the second set that consist of attributes from the first set; and
e) generating, based on the identified attribute combinations and the statistical results, one or more statistical predictions indicating the potential association between the individual and the query attribute.
2 . The computer based method of claim 1 , further comprising:
f) storing the statistical predictions.
3 . The computer based method of claim 1 , further comprising:
f) associating the statistical predictions with the individual and storing the association.
4 . The computer based method of claim 3 , wherein storing the association comprises storing a link to at least one of: an identifier of the individual, the first set, and a record of the individual.
5 . The computer based method of claim 1 , further comprising:
f) repeating steps (a)-(e) for a succession of query attributes to create a tabulated attribute prediction report, profile or record.
6 . The computer based method of claim 1 , further comprising:
f) transmitting the statistical predictions.
7 . The computer based method of claim 1 , further comprising:
f) transmitting the statistical predictions to create an attribute prediction report, profile or record for the individual.
8 . The computer based method of claim 1 , further comprising:
f) updating the attribute combinations and statistical results of the second set, based on the attribute content of the first set.
9 . The computer based method of claim 1 , wherein the query attribute comprises a combination of two or more attributes.
10 . The computer based method of claim 1 , wherein the identity of the individual is masked or anonymized.
11 . The computer based method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the statistical predictions is generated based on the statistical results for the largest attribute combination identified in step (d).
12 . The computer based method of claim 7 , wherein the statistical predictions must meet at least one statistical requirement in order to be transmitted.
13 . The computer based method of claim 12 , wherein the at least one statistical requirement is selected from the group comprising: a minimum statistical value, a maximum statistical value, and a value of statistical significance.
14 . The computer based method of claim 1 , further comprising:
f) eliminating one or more statistical predictions that are based on attribute combinations which lack one or more specified attributes.
15 . The computer based method of claim 1 , further comprising:
f) eliminating one or more statistical predictions that are based on attribute combinations which contain one or more specified attributes.
16 . A computer based system for attribute prediction, comprising:
a) a data receiving subsystem for receiving a query attribute;
b) a data accessing subsystem comprising:
i) a first data accessing subsystem for accessing a first set containing attributes associated with an individual;
ii) a second data accessing subsystem for accessing a second set containing attribute combinations and statistical results that indicate the strength of association of each of the attribute combinations with the query attribute;
c) a data processing subsystem comprising:
i) a data comparison subsystem for identifying one or more attribute combinations in the second set that consist of attributes from the first set; and
ii) a statistical prediction subsystem for generating, based on the identified attribute combinations and the statistical results, one or more statistical predictions indicating the potential association between the individual and the query attribute.
17 . The computer based system of claim 16 , further comprising:
d) a data storage subsystem for storing the statistical predictions and for storing an association between the statistical predictions and the individual.
18 . The computer based system of claim 16 , further comprising:
d) a communications subsystem for transmitting the statistical predictions.
19 . The computer based system of claim 16 , wherein the data processing subsystem further comprises:
iii) a database updating subsystem for updating the attribute combinations and the statistical results of the second set based on the attribute content of the first set.
20 . The computer based system of claim 16 , wherein the data processing subsystem further comprises:
iii) a data elimination subsystem for eliminating one or more statistical predictions that are based on attribute combinations which lack one or more specified attributes, or alternatively, which contain one or more specified attributes.