Framework for dynamic analysis of varying structured data using multiple analysis techniques

Abstract

The present invention provides for methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture directed to dynamically generating input to an analysis environment. Varying input data is linked with analysis routines by provision of a well defined but general purpose input structure for selected data, which is used as input to analysis routines. Metadata is used to describe the multiple analysis routines and their capabilities, and a framework both automatically formats the input data and customizes the analysis routine to accept the specific dynamic fields available in the input. In this manner, data (e.g., a query) containing new input fields is dynamically made available to multiple existing analysis techniques.

1 . A method of dynamically generating input for an analysis environment to perform data analysis, comprising:
 receiving a user selection of an analysis routine configured to perform an analysis on selected data in the analysis environment, wherein the user-selected analysis routine has a predefined association with a code portion configured to provide the input to the analysis environment;   in response to the user selection of the analysis routine, displaying parameter values in one or more fields; wherein the one or more fields are predefined for the user selected analysis routine and wherein the parameter values are made available from the selected data;   receiving a user selection of one or more of the parameter values;   dynamically generating, by the code portion, and based on the user selections, information necessary to perform the analysis on the selected data; and   outputting, by the code portion, the input to the analysis environment; wherein the input includes at least the selected data and the information necessary to perform the analysis on the selected data by the analysis routine.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the selected data comprises query results. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein generating information necessary to perform the analysis on the selected data comprises generating information needed to read the selected data into the analysis environment. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the analysis environment is configured for medical analysis. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the analysis is an analysis of medical information. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the code portion is one of a plurality of available code portions, each configured for one or more analyses routines. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the user selections are made from user interfaces populated from an abstract analysis model. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the user interfaces are graphical user interfaces. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein generating information necessary to perform the analysis on the selected data comprises populating a template with the user-selected parameter values. 
     
     
         10 . A computer readable storage medium containing a program which, when executed, performs an operation for dynamically generating input for an analysis environment to perform data analysis, the operation comprising:
 receiving a user selection of an analysis routine configured to perform an analysis on selected data in the analysis environment and having a predefined relationship with a particular code portion configured to provide the input to the analysis environment;   populating one or more fields with parameter values; wherein the one or more fields are predefined for the user selected analysis routine and wherein the parameter values are made available from the selected data;   receiving a user selection of one or more of the parameter values;   based on the user selections, dynamically generating, by the code portion, information necessary to perform the analysis on the selected data; and   outputting, by the code portion, the input for the analysis environment; wherein the input includes at least the selected data and the information necessary to perform the analysis on the selected data.   
     
     
         11 . The computer readable storage medium of  claim 10 , wherein populating comprises accessing metadata specifying a source of content for the one or more fields. 
     
     
         12 . The computer readable storage medium of  claim 10 , wherein the analysis is an analysis of medical information. 
     
     
         13 . The computer readable storage medium of  claim 10 , wherein generating information necessary to perform the analysis on the selected data comprises populating a template with the user selection of one or more of the parameter values. 
     
     
         14 . The computer readable storage medium of  claim 13 , wherein the template comprises markers corresponding to the user selection of one or more of the parameter values. 
     
     
         15 . The computer readable storage medium of  claim 14 , wherein populating comprises accessing metadata specifying a source of content for the one or more fields. 
     
     
         16 . The computer readable storage medium of  claim 15 , wherein the analysis is an analysis of medical information. 
     
     
         17 . A computer system, comprising:
 a processor;   a framework, which when executed by the processor, is configured to dynamically generate input for an analysis environment to perform data analysis on selected data, the framework comprising:
 analysis routines metadata specifying a plurality of user-selectable analysis routines to be displayed via a user interface and, for each of the plurality of user-selectable analysis routines, a code portion to run the analysis routine; 
 a separate portion of parameters metadata for each of the plurality of user-selectable analysis routines; wherein each separate portion of parameters metadata specifies parameter values to be displayed via the user interface; and 
 a plurality of code portions configured to generate the input on the basis on the parameter values selected via the user interface and further configured provide the generated input to the analysis environment. 
   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , further comprising a plurality of templates specified by at least one separate portion of parameters metadata and comprising markers configured to be substituted by parameter values. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein one or more of each separate portion of parameters metadata specifies a template comprising markers configured to be populated by user-selected parameter values specified by the respective portion of parameters metadata.