WO2021074383A1

WO2021074383A1 - Method for training process analysis

Info

Publication number: WO2021074383A1
Application number: PCT/EP2020/079220
Authority: WO
Inventors: Corentin KERBIRIOU; Henri REYDON; Jeffrey HONION; Laurie PACINI
Original assignee: Université De Lorraine
Priority date: 2019-10-17
Filing date: 2020-10-16
Publication date: 2021-04-22
Also published as: EP4046089A1; AU2020366692A1; CA3158144A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and a system for a training program for a subject receiving medical attention, where the training program comprises at least one succession of steps associated to objectives to be achieved to reach a target objective.

Description

METHOD FOR TRAINING PROCESS ANALYSIS

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of data analysis and visualization. In particular, the present invention relates to the field of analysis of status of progress of a process and its representation in order to assist the user in the task of evaluating next step to take in order to progress in the process and achieve a target objective.

CONTEXT OF INVENTION

Most of process, that may variate from industrial processes, quality checking process along an assembly line to training process having as goal education of a child or physical reeducation of a patient that underwent a surgery or a trauma, comprises a plurality of steps that may be done according to a predefined hierarchy. Indeed, for a given status of a process, certain steps may be done only if others prerequisite steps have been already done before.

In this context, it is useful to provide a solution allowing the user to access in an easily and fast way to the information concerning the current status of the process and at the same time the information concerning the possible next steps that may be taken in order to carry out the process and achieve a desired target.

Especially in the case of training processes aiming to improve of the health status of a patient, it is necessary to have a knowledge of the patient actual abilities/conditions in order to be able to predict the more effective steps to take in order to progress rapidly and efficiently along the training process. Furthermore, depending on the training process and its state of progression, multiple steps may be available to the patient.

In this context of training process to improve health status of a patient, it is useful to provide a solution allowing the user to access in an easily and fast way to the information concerning the current medical status of the patient according to the training process and at the same time have a clear information concerning the next steps to take in order to carry out the training process and achieve the desired target objective which is the improvement of the subject medical status.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to a computer-implemented method for a training program directed to a subject receiving medical attention, where the training program comprises at least one succession of steps associated to objectives to be achieved to reach a target objective, the method comprising: receiving a process map comprising:

• nodes and oriented links connecting two nodes, wherein the oriented links are associated to a predefined activation threshold and are configured to switch between an inactive configuration and an active configuration;

• at least one node being an initial node representing at least one basic prerequisite objective; and

• at least one node being a target node representing at least one target objective directed to an improved medical state; the nodes being connected by the oriented links so that the initial node and the target node are linked by at least one oriented path; wherein each of said nodes following the initial node:

• represents an objective and is linked to at least one other node by at least one incoming oriented link and/or at least one outgoing oriented link;

• is configured to switch between non achievable objective state to a working-on objective state and to switch between the working-on objective state to an acquired state; receiving, for all the nodes of the process map, a progression value of the node and the state of the node; updating the process map by:

• for each node in the working-on objective state, comparing its progression value to the predefined activation threshold of each outgoing oriented link of the node and whenever the predefined activation threshold of one oriented link exceed the progression value of the node switch the oriented link between the inactive configuration and active configuration;

• for each node in non-achievable objective state, switching to the working-on objective state whenever all incoming oriented links are in an active configuration and switching to the acquired state when the obj ective that the node represents has been successfully achieved; outputting the updated process map so that the subject performs the training program based on said updated process map; iteratively updating the process map during the progression of the training program.

This method advantageously allows to have all at once the information concerning the initial(s) objective(s), the target(s) objective(s) of the training process and the oriented path(s) connecting the initial(s) objective(s) to the target(s) objective(s) as well as the actual medical state of the subject thank to the output of the state of each node and the configuration of each oriented link of the process map. Such output in the form of map assists the user in the task of rapidly and efficiently analyze the status of progress of the training process and univocally identify the objectives to work on in order to move along the oriented path through the target objective(s) so as to significantly improve the efficiency of the training program and improve the medical state of the subject receiving medical attention.

The method of the present invention is a computer-implemented method.

According to one embodiment, the initial node also called source node, representing at least one prerequisite objective is in an acquired state.

According to one embodiment, each node is a visual landmark having dimensions proportional to the number of incoming and/or outgoing oriented links to which is linked. This advantageously allows the user to identify at a first view the more demanding objectives to achieve in order to improved medical state of the subject undergoing the training program according to the process map. According to one embodiment, each oriented link is arrow-shaped and points toward the node for which it is an incoming oriented link.

According to one embodiment, each node includes a list of tasks to be accomplished to achieve the objective of the node. According to one embodiment, the method comprises interactively selecting at least one node and displaying on the process map a window comprising the list of tasks and/or the progression value of the node.

According to one embodiment, the training program includes the acquisition of at least one target skill by the subject and the objective associated to at least one of said nodes is a competence of the subject.

According to one embodiment, the progression values and the states of the nodes are calculated from received subject data.

According to one embodiment, the subject data comprises physiological signals acquired from a sensor and/or a user input. According to one embodiment, comprising displaying the updated process map.

According to one embodiment, the training program is a reeducation program for a subject with physical impairment.

According to one embodiment, the training program is a neurodevelopment process of a child with neurodevelopmental disorders. The present invention also relates to a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the steps of the display method according to any one of the embodiments hereabove.

The present invention also relates to computer readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the steps of the method according to any one of the embodiments hereabove. In what follows, the modules are to be understood as functional entities rather than material, physically distinct, components. They can consequently be embodied either as grouped together in a same tangible and concrete component, or distributed into several such components. Also, each of those modules is possibly itself shared between at least two physical components. In addition, the modules are implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any mixed form thereof as well.

The present invention further relates to a system for a training program directed to a subject receiving medical attention, where the training program comprises at least one succession of steps associated to objectives to be achieved to reach a target objective, the system comprising: at least one memory comprising a process map having:

• nodes and oriented links connecting two nodes, wherein the oriented links are associated to a predefined activation threshold and are configured to switch between an inactive configuration and an active configuration; · at least one node being an initial node representing at least one basic prerequisite objective; and

• is configured to switch between non achievable objective state to a working-on objective state and to switch between the working-on objective state to an acquired state; at least one input adapted to receive, for all the nodes of the process map, a progression value of the node and the state of the node; at least one processor configured to generate an updated process map by:

• for each node in non-achievable objective state, switching to the working-on objective state whenever all incoming oriented links are in an active configuration and switching to the acquired state when the objective that the node represents has been successfully achieved; wherein the at least one processor is configured to iteratively update the process map during the progression of the training program; - at least one output adapted to provide said updated process map so that the subj ect performs the training program based on said updated process map.

The present invention relates as well to a method for obtaining a process map for a training program for a subject receiving medical attention, comprising nodes and oriented links connecting two nodes, said method comprising: - receiving a list of objectives comprising at least one target objective node representing at least one target objective directed to an improved medical state;

- receiving for each obj ective a topological ordering wherein the target obj ective had the higher ordering;

- defining one node for each objective, wherein the target objective defines a target node and defining one node as an initial node representing at least one basic prerequisite objective;

- obtaining a process map by, for each node, defining at least one incoming oriented link and/or at least one outgoing oriented link linking the node to at least one another node so that the initial node and the target node are linked by an oriented path;

- outputting said process map so that the subject performs the training program based on said process map; wherein the oriented links are associated to a predefined activation threshold and are configured to switch between an inactive configuration and an active configuration; and the nodes are configured to switch between non achievable objective state to a working-on objective state and to switch between the working-on objective state to an acquired state.

A process map comprising: nodes and oriented links connecting two nodes, wherein the oriented links are associated to a predefined activation threshold and are configured to switch between an inactive configuration and an active configuration; at least one node being an initial node representing at least one basic prerequisite objective; and at least one node being a target node representing at least one target objective directed to an improved medical state; the nodes being connected by the oriented links so that the initial node and the target node are linked by at least one oriented path; wherein each of said nodes following the initial node: represents an objective and is linked to at least one other node by at least one incoming oriented link and/or at least one outgoing oriented link; is associated to a progression value; is configured to switch between a non achievable objective state to a working-on objective state and to switch between the working-on objective state to an acquired state. The present invention also relates to a method for process analysis, where the process comprises at least one succession of steps associated to objectives to be achieved to reach the target objective, the method comprising the following steps: receiving a process map comprising:

• at least one node being a target node (representing at least one target objective; the nodes being connected by the oriented links so that the initial node and the target node are linked by at least one oriented path; wherein each node:

• represents an objective and is linked to at least one other node by at least one incoming oriented link and/or at least one outgoing oriented link; · is configured to switch between non achievable objective state to a working-on objective state and to switch between the working-on objective state to an acquired state; receiving for all the nodes of the process map, a progression value of the node and the state of the node; - updating the process map by:

• for each node in non achievable objective state, switching to the working-on objective state whenever all incoming oriented links are in an active configuration.

This method advantageously allows to have all at once the information concerning the initial(s) objective(s), the target(s) objective(s) of the process and the oriented path(s) connecting the initial(s) objective(s) to the target(s) objective(s) as well as the actual state of progress thank to the visualization of the state of each node and the configuration each oriented link of the process map. Such graphic representation in the form of map assists the user in the task of rapidly and efficiently analyze the status of progress of the process and identify the objectives to work on in order to move along the oriented path through the target objective(s) so as to significantly reduce the working time to achieve the target objective and improve its quality.

The present invention further relates to a method for obtaining a process map comprising nodes and oriented links connecting two nodes, said method comprises the following steps: - receiving a list of objectives comprising at least one target objective node representing at least one target objective;

- receiving for each objective a topological ordering wherein the target objective had the higher ordering; - defining one node for each objective, wherein the target objective defines a target node and defining one node as an initial node representing at least one basic prerequisite objective;

- obtaining a process map by, for each node, defining at least one incoming oriented link and/or at least one outgoing oriented link linking the node to at least one another node so that the initial node and the target node are linked by an oriented path; wherein the oriented links are associated to a predefined activation threshold and are configured to switch between an inactive configuration and an active configuration; and the nodes are configured to switch between non achievable objective state to a working-on objective state and to switch between the working-on objective state to an acquired state.

DEFINITIONS

In the present invention, the following terms have the following meanings: - “Subject” refers to a mammal, preferably a human. In the sense of the present invention, a subject may be a patient, i.e. a person receiving medical attention, undergoing or having underwent a medical treatment, or monitored for the development of a disease.

“Processor” this term is herein not restricted to hardware capable of executing software, and refers in a general way to a processing device, which can for example include a computer, a microprocessor, an integrated circuit, or a programmable logic device (PLD). The processor may also encompass one or more Graphics Processing Units (GPU), whether exploited for computer graphics and image processing or other functions. Additionally, the instructions and/or data enabling to perform associated and/or resulting functionalities may be stored on any processor-readable medium such as, e.g., an integrated circuit, a hard disk, a CD (Compact Disc), an optical disc such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a RAM (Random-Access Memory) or a ROM (Read-Only Memory). Instructions may be notably stored in hardware, software, firmware or in any combination thereof. - The terms “adapted” and “configured” are used in the present disclosure as broadly encompassing initial configuration, later adaptation or complementation of the present device, or any combination thereof alike, whether effected through material or software means (including firmware). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments of a method and a system for a training program for a subject receiving medical attention according to the invention, this description being given merely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings in which: Figure 1 is a first example of the state of the nodes and the configuration of the oriented link of a process map.

Figure 2 is a second example of the state of the nodes and the configuration of the oriented link of a process map.

Figure 3 is a third example of the state of the nodes and the configuration of the oriented link of a process map.

Figure 4 shows a fourth example of the state of the nodes and the configuration of the oriented link of a process map.

Figure 5 shows a fifth example of the state of the nodes and the configuration of the oriented link of a process map. Figure 6 shows a sixth example of the state of the nodes and the configuration of the oriented link of a process map. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This invention relates to a computer-implemented method and a system for the analysis of the progress of a process. Said process comprises at least one succession of steps associated to objectives to be achieved to reach the target objective. In particular, the present invention relates to a computer-implemented method and a system for generation of a process map.

The process map is a graphic representation of the steps of the process in the form of a network of nodes and oriented links. The process map depends directly from the type of process, the steps that it comprises and the target objective. According to one embodiment, the process map PM have been previously defined and stored in a memory or database.

According to one embodiment, the method comprises a preliminary step of receiving a process map, notably from a database.

According to one embodiment, the process map PM comprises at least one node being an initial node iN, representing at least one basic prerequisite objective of the process, and at least one node being a target node tN representing at least one target objective. The process map PM further comprises nodes representing the objectives of the process to be achieved to reach the target objective represented by the target node tN. The process map PM comprises oriented links, each connecting two nodes. More specifically each oriented link has a direction and points from one node to the next, therefore one oriented link is outcoming from one of the two node and incoming in the other node.

According to one embodiment, each node, the initial node iN and the target node tN included, is linked to at least one other node by at least one incoming oriented link and/or at least one outgoing oriented link. The orientation of the link is a graphic representation of the hierarchic relation between the two nodes it connects. Indeed, the node for which the orient link is an outcoming link represents a prerequisite objective to be achieved so as to move forward to the objective represented by the node for which the oriented link is an incoming node. In other words, the oriented link points to the succeeding node in the process map.

The nodes are connected by the oriented links so that the initial node iN and the target node tN are linked by an oriented path. Said oriented path is a succession of oriented links, where each two consecutive oriented links in the succession are separated only by one node for which one orient link is an incoming orient link and the other one is an outgoing orient link.

The nodes and the oriented links as described above represent the basic structure of the process map. The graphical representation of the nodes and the oriented links provides to the user an overview of the process with all the obj ectives to be achieved in order to reach the target objective.

According to one embodiment, each node includes a list of tasks that have to be successful accomplished in order to achieve the objective of the node, wherein the list of tasks comprises at list one task. Each node of the process map PM is configured to switch between non achievable objective state Nns to a working-on objective state N_ws and to switch between the working-on objective state N_ws to an acquired state N_as. A node in an acquired state N_as shows that the objective that the node represents has been successfully achieved. A node in a working-on objective state N_ws shows that the objective that the node represents may be achieved by performing a predefined list of tasks, since the prerequisite objective are already been successfully achieved. A node in a non achievable objective state Nns shows that the objective that the node represents can not be achieved due to the lack of necessary prerequisite objective.

Each oriented link is associated to a predefined activation threshold and are configured to switch between an inactive configuration Li and an active configuration L_a. According to one embodiment, the value of the activation threshold is different from oriented link to oriented link. For example, for two oriented links outgoing from one node, the first oriented link may have a value of the activation threshold higher than the second oriented link. This embodiment allows an asynchronous progression through the process map, and therefore a progression that may be faster along one oriented path that comprises oriented links having lower activation thresholds.

The method is configured to receive, for all the nodes of the process map, a progression value of the node and the state of the node. According to one embodiment, the progression value is a parameter representing the percentage of tasks that have been successful achieved in the list of tasks of the node. In other word it represents the degree of progression towards the achievement of the objective of the node.

According to one exemplary embodiment, the progression value is a score normalized to 1 which is equal to zero for all the nodes in a non achievable objective state Nns, equal to 1 for all nodes in an acquired state N_as and is comprised between zero and 1 for all the nodes in a working-on objective state N_ws.

The working-on objective state N_ws may comprise itself two states to discriminate whether the number of tasks been successful achieved to reach the objective is progressing or in regression. The process map PM may be further configured to switch between an “on-progress” objective state to an “in-regression” objective state or the inverse. The node state will be “on-progress” if the progression value shows an improvement during time, while being below predefined activation threshold. The node state will be “in-regression” if the progression value decreases during time. In this case if the progression value constantly improves, a node of the process map PM may switch between a non achievable objective state Nns to an on-progress objective state N_ws, and then switch between the on-progress objective state to an acquired state N_as.

According to one embodiment, the process map PM is a directed acyclic graph which is a finite directed graph with no directed cycles. Indeed, the process map PM, it consists of finitely many nodes and oriented links (also called edges), with each oriented link directed from one node to another, such that there is no way to start at any node v and follow a consistently-directed sequence of oriented links that eventually loops back to the node v again. Equivalently, a directed acyclic graph has a topological ordering, meaning that it comprises a sequence of the nodes such that every oriented link is directed from an earlier node to a later node in the sequence. Furthermore, the process map PM is a connected graph, meaning that all the nodes are at least one incoming or/and outcoming oriented link.

In order to visualize the actual status of progression of the process, the states of the nodes and the configurations of the oriented links of the process maps are updated using as information the progression value and the state of each node.

More in details, for each node in the working-on objective state N_ws, its progression value is compared to the predefined activation threshold of each outgoing oriented link of the node and whenever the predefined activation threshold of one oriented link exceed the progression value of the node switch the oriented link from the inactive configuration Li and active configuration L_a.

In addition, for each node in non achievable objective state Nns, the method is configured to switch the node from non achievable objective state Nns to the working-on objective state Nws whenever all incoming oriented links are in an active configuration L_a.

According to one embodiment, the initial node iN representing at least one prerequisite objective is in an acquired state N_as.

According to one alternative embodiment, the initial node is a working-on objective state Nws representing the first objective to achieve associated. In this embodiment, the initial nodes comprise the list of the first task to be done.

According to one embodiment illustrated in Figure 2, in a process map not yet updated with progression value and the state of the nodes representing the current status of the process, only the initial node iN representing at least one prerequisite objective is in an acquired state N_as and the only oriented link(s) in an active configuration L_a is/are the oriented link(s) outcoming from the initial node iN. In this embodiment, the node(s) toward which are pointing the oriented link(s) originating from the initial node iN is/are in a working-on objective state N_ws.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises outputting the updated process map PM so that the subject performs the training program based on said updated process map PM. The output may simply be an information transfer to another digital to analogue module. Said digital to analogue module may be a display to visualize the process map or a loud speaker to communicate as sound the information of the process map.

In one embodiment, the method iteratively performs the step of updating the process map PM during the progression of the training program. The visualization of the updated process map allows the user to have a schematic graphical representation of the current status of progression of the process.

According to one embodiment, the method further comprises a step of displaying the updated process map.

According to the embodiments illustrated in Figure 1 to 3, each oriented link is arrow-shaped and points toward the node for which it is an incoming oriented link. The oriented links in an active configuration L_a may be represented by solid segments arrow-shaped while the oriented links in the inactive configuration Li may be represented by dashed segments arrow-shaped.

According to the embodiments illustrated in Figure 1 to 3, each node is a visual landmark and the state of each node is graphically represented by a color or a pattern. For example, all the visual landmarks representing the nodes in an acquired state N_as are filled in black, the visual landmarks representing the nodes in a non achievable objective state Nns are filled in white and the visual landmarks representing the nodes in a working-on objective state Nws are filled with a pattern of parallel black lines. According to one embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, the visual landmark representing the nodes have dimensions proportional to the number of incoming oriented links to which is linked. In one example, the landmark is a round-shaped landmark whose diameter is proportional to the number of incoming oriented links to which is linked.

According to one embodiment, the method further comprises at least one first interactive means configured to select at least one node and display on the process map PM at least one window comprising the list of tasks and/or the progression value of the node. According to one embodiment, the method further comprises the second interactive means configured to produce a zoom in and out on the process map PM.

According to one embodiment, the process is a training program for the acquisition of at least one target skill by a subject and the objective is a competence of the subject. The method of the present invention may be implemented for generating a training map and displaying a training program (i.e. process) for the development of at least one target skill (i.e. target objective).

According to one embodiment the method for analysis of a training program, where the training program comprises at least one succession of steps associated to objectives to be achieved to obtain a target skill, the display method comprising the following steps: receiving a training map comprising:

• nodes and oriented links connecting two nodes, wherein the oriented links are associated to a predefined activation threshold and are configured to switch between an inactive configuration and an active configuration, · at least one node being an initial node representing at least one basic prerequisite competence and

• at least one node being a target node representing at least one target skill; the nodes being connected by the oriented links so that the initial node and the target node are linked by an oriented path; wherein each node: · represents a competence and is linked to at least one other node by at least one incoming oriented link and/or at least one outgoing oriented link;

• is configured to switch between non achievable competence state to a working-on competence state and to switch between the working-on competence state to an acquired state; - receiving for all the nodes of the training map, a learning value of the node and the state of the node; for each node in the working-on competence state, comparing its learning value to the predefined activation threshold of each outgoing oriented link of the node and whenever the predefined activation threshold of one oriented link exceed the learning value of the node switch the oriented link between the inactive configuration and active configuration; for each node in non achievable competence state, switching to the working-on competence state whenever all incoming oriented links are in an active configuration; displaying the state of each node and the configuration each oriented link of the training maps.

According to one embodiment, the progression values and the states of the nodes are calculated from subject data. In this embodiment, the method further comprises a step of receiving subject data comprising information concerning which tasks of the list of tasks of a node have been successfully achieved by the subject. The progression values may therefore be calculated as percentage of tasks that have been successful achieved in the list of tasks of the node and from the progression values the state of the node may be easilyfca obtained. The subject data may further comprise the identity of the subject which may allow to recall from a database all subject data concerning him/her.

According to one embodiment, the subject data comprises physiological signals acquired from a sensor and/or a user input. In this embodiment, the information concerning whether or not a task has been successfully achieved by the subject may be directly provided as input to the method by the user or it may be calculated from the physiological signals.

According to one embodiment, the training program aims to asses and improve psychological, neurological, sensitive and motor state of a patient.

In one embodiment, the training process is a reeducation program for a subject with physical impairment, such as physical defects, including upper or lower limb loss or impairment, poor manual dexterity, and damage to one or multiple organs of the body.

In one embodiment, the training process is a neurodevelopment process of a child with neurodevelopmental disorders, such as intellectual and developmental disability, specific learning disorders, autistic spectrum disorders, motor disorders, tic disorders, traumatic brain injury, communication, speech and language disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,

According to one embodiment, the training program is neurodevelopment program. In this embodiment, the user of the method of the present invention may be a family carer (ex. parent), a specialized educator/educator monitor, a psychologist, a nurse, health executive/team leader, speech therapist, psychometrician, occupational therapist, a specialized teacher and/or other professions of intervention or supervision of the medico-social, social, para-medical, medical sector. In this embodiment, the subject who’s undergoing the training program may be a patient that the user has in charge, such as (ordinary) neurotypic children; children with neurodevelopmental disorders: intellectual disability, autism, dys disorders, etc. or children hosted in health centers or educational centers.

According to one example, the method is used for neurodevelopment. In this example, the user connects to the mobile application that may be executed by a smartphone, tablet or a web browser, via a unique identifier (an email address or a code) and a password. The mobile application accesses the internet or an encrypted token stored on the device to recognize the credentials and allow access. During the first use, the user creates a "subject profile" card in the application in which he/she provides the name, surname, sex and age of the subject whose skills development is targeted, for example a child having neurodevelopmental disorders. Then the user completes an exhaustive questionnaire on the subject’s competences (i.e. objectives). Each competence, such as "Use thumb-index finger (fine motor)", is evaluated with one of the following labels: "not acquired", "emergent", "acquired" or "unassessed". Once the questionnaire has been completed, this information is used to estimate the state and the progression value of the nodes of a training map that has been received from a remote server. The training map is then updated with the current data so as to represent the current status of progression of the subject in his/her training program. The display screen of the mobile application displays a complete visualization of the state of the nodes and the configuration of the oriented links of the updated training map so as to visualize the subject's competences that have been acquired, under development or still not achievable. Each node corresponds to one of the 680 competences referenced in the application database. In this example, one of the nodes is associated with “manipulating clay” and is connected to the node “using the thumb-index finger” by an oriented link is an active configuration L_a. Concretely, this means that the nodes "using the thumb-index finger" is in a working-on objective state Nws and the use of the thumb-index finger is accessible to subject who know how to manipulate clay. Each competence is associated with a descriptive sheet that contains the main characteristics of the competence, a proposal of list of tasks (i.e. exercise) to develop this competence, reinforce it, as well as the procedures of intervention recommended for the user. The user can modify the progression value of each competence by modifying the labels evaluating the competence. Automatically, the visualization of the updated training map is loaded to display the new non achievable objective states Nns, working-on objective states N_ws and acquired state N_as, in order to constantly show to the user the subject's development path to follow. In this example, the purpose of the graphic representation is to visually represent the state of a patient's motor, social, and cognitive development and of the steps of the training program that may be taken to reach at least a target objective directed to an improved medical state of the subject. This helps the multidisciplinary teams of special education, teaching, paramedical or medical to coordinate in order to offer the patient a consistent and relevant support to his needs by performing the training program according to the last updated version of the process map. According to one embodiment, the training program is a reeducation program where the user of the method may be a doctor (all specialties), a nurse, occupational therapist, a family caregiver, the patient himself (the subject), or other professions in the health services (follow-up care and rehabilitation, post-operative, rehabilitation and re-education institutes, etc.). According to a second example, the method is used for physical reeducation. In this example, the user connects to the mobile application that may be executed by a smartphone, tablet or a web browser, via a unique identifier (an email address or a code) and a password. The mobile application accesses the internet or an encrypted token stored on the device to recognize the credentials and allow access. During the first use, the user creates a "user profile" card in the application in which he/she provides his/her name, surname, sex and age and the target objective competence to achieve. In this example the subject is an adult that have broken his leg and his target objective is to completely recover from the injury. Then the user completes an exhaustive questionnaire on his physical competences (i.e. objectives). Each competence, such as for example “flex the leg more than 90 degrees”, is evaluated with one of the following labels: "not acquired", "emergent", "acquired" or "unassessed". Once the questionnaire has been completed, this information is used to estimate the state and the progression value of the nodes of a training map that has been received from a remote server. The training map is than updated with the current data so as to represent the current status of progression of the user in his/her reeducation training program. The display screen of the mobile application displays a complete visualization of the state of the nodes and the configuration of the oriented link of the updated training map so as to visualize the user’s current competences that have been acquired, that are still under development or that are yet not achievable. In this example, one node is associated with “flex the leg more than 90 degrees” and is connected to the node “sit cross-legged” by an oriented link is an active configuration L_a.

Concretely, this means that the nodes “sit cross-legged” is in a working-on objective state Nws and the ability to sit cross-legged is accessible to subject who are able to flex the legs more than 90 degrees. Each competence is associated with a descriptive sheet that contains the main characteristics of the competence, a proposal of list of tasks (i.e. physical exercise) to develop this competence and reinforce it. The user can modify the progression value of each competence (i.e. node) by modifying the labels using to evaluate the status of progression of the achievement of the competence. Automatically, the visualization of the updated training map is loaded to display the new non achievable objective states Nns, working-on objective states N_ws and acquired state N_as, in order to constantly show to the user the development path to follow. In this example the application allows the user to visualize his rehabilitation path and to understand how the oriented path (the direction in which the exercises will be made) is constructed. The goal in this example is to obtain a better user's adherence to his/her rehabilitation path, and to provide him/her with a fast-visual support to read to offer each user (in a center for example) a personalized service. In others examples the process map may be used to represent skill development such as improvement of cognitive skills (mental math, fast reading, memorization), training for reaction in emergency cases (industrial plant management, emergency hospitals) or acquisition of complex procedures (fabrication protocols). The present invention also relates to a computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the steps of the computer-implemented method as described above. According to one embodiment, the computer-readable storage medium is a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. Computer programs implementing the method of the present invention can commonly be distributed to users on a distribution computer-readable storage medium such as, but not limited to, an SD card, an external storage device, a microchip, a flash memory device and a portable hard drive. From the distribution medium, the computer programs can be copied to a hard disk or a similar intermediate storage medium. The computer programs can be run by loading the computer instructions either from their distribution medium or their intermediate storage medium into the execution memory of the computer, configuring the computer to act in accordance with the method of this invention. All these operations are well-known to those skilled in the art of computer systems.

The instructions or software to control a processor or computer to implement the hardware components and perform the method as described above, and any associated data, data files, and data structures, are recorded, stored, or fixed in or on one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media. Examples of a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium include read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), flash memory, CD- ROMs, CD- Rs, CD+ Rs, CD- RWs, CD+ RWs, DVD- ROMs, DVD- Rs, DVD+ Rs, DVD- RWs, DVD+ RWs, DVD- RAMs, BD- ROMs, BD- Rs, BD- R LTHs, BD- REs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, magneto-optical data storage devices, optical data storage devices, hard disks, solid-state disks, and any device known to one of ordinary skill in the art that is capable of storing the instructions or software and any associated data, data files, and data structures in a non-transitory manner and providing the instructions or software and any associated data, data files, and data structures to a processor or computer so that the processor or computer can execute the instructions. In one example, the instructions or software and any associated data, data files, and data structures are distributed over network-coupled computer systems so that the instructions and software and any associated data, data files, and data structures are stored, accessed, and executed in a distributed fashion by the processor or computer.

The present invention also relates to a system comprising means for carrying out the steps of the method as described above.

More in details the present invention relates to a system for process analysis, where the process comprises at least one succession of steps associated to objectives to be achieved to reach the target objective, the system comprising: at least one memory comprising a process map PM having:

• nodes and oriented links connecting two nodes, wherein the oriented links are associated to a predefined activation threshold and are configured to switch between an inactive configuration Li and an active configuration L_a;

• at least one node being an initial node iN representing at least one basic prerequisite objective; and

• at least one node being a target node tN representing at least one target objective; the nodes being connected by the oriented links so that the initial node iN and the target node tN are linked by at least one oriented path; wherein each node:

• is configured to switch between non achievable objective state Nns to a working-on objective state N_ws and to switch between the working-on objective state N_ws to an acquired state N_as; a reception module configured to receive, for all the nodes of the process map, a progression value of the node and the state of the node; a graphical representation module configured to generate an updated process map PM by: • for each node in the working-on objective state N_ws, comparing its progression value to the predefined activation threshold of each outgoing oriented link of the node and whenever the predefined activation threshold of one oriented link exceed the progression value of the node switch the oriented link between the inactive configuration Li and active configuration L_a;

• for each node in non achievable objective state Nns, switching to the working-on objective state N_ws whenever all incoming oriented links are in an active configuration L_a. According to a preferred embodiment, the system for a training program for a subject receiving medical attention.

The reception module and graphical representation module comprises at least one processor.

In one embodiment, the at least one processor of the graphical representation module is configured to iteratively update the process map PM during the progression of the training program.

According to one embodiment, the system comprises at least one output adapted to provide said updated process map PM so that the subject performs the training program based on said updated process map. According to one embodiment, the system comprises a display module configured to display the updated process map PM.

In one embodiment, the system comprises dedicated circuitry or a general-purpose computer, configured for receiving the data and executing the steps of the method of steps of a process for at least one target objective achievement as described above. In one embodiment, the system comprises a processor and the computer program of the present invention. In one embodiment, the system of the present invention comprises a communication module to transmit the updated process map to the display module for visualization. The display module may alternatively be a screen to display the process map or a user interface comprising the process map. According to one embodiment, the system comprises an electronic module configured to perform a mobile application configured to interact with the user in order to receive inputs from the user and to produce an updated process map. According to this embodiment, a display screen is connected to the electronic module and arranged to display information relating to the mobile application. The electronic module must be capable of executing one or more mobile applications. By mobile application, is understood as any computer software containing a series of instructions performed in order to fill the given functionality.

The present invention further relates to a method for obtaining a process map PM comprising nodes and oriented links connecting two nodes. The method for obtaining a process map PM comprises a first step consisting in receiving a list of objectives comprising at least of one target objective node representing at least one target objective and receiving for each objective a topological ordering wherein the target objective had the higher ordering.

The method for obtaining a process map PM is further configured to defining one node for each objective, wherein the target objective defined a target node. The method also defines one node as an initial node representing at least one basic prerequisite objective.

The following step consists in obtaining a process map by, for each node, defining at least one incoming oriented link and/or at least one outgoing oriented link linking the node to at least one another node so that the initial node and the target node are linked by an oriented path; wherein the oriented links are associated to a predefined activation threshold and are configured to switch between an inactive configuration Li and an active configuration L_a; and the nodes are configured to switch between non achievable objective state Nns to a working-on objective state N_ws and to switch between the working-on objective state N_ws to an acquired state N_as. According to one embodiment, the process map PM is constructed to be a directed acyclic graph which is a finite directed graph with no directed cycles. Indeed, the process map PM as obtained in the present invention consists of finitely many nodes and oriented links (also called edges), with each oriented link directed from one node to another, such that there is no way to start at any node v and follow a consistently-directed sequence of oriented links that eventually loops back to the node v again. Equivalently, a directed acyclic graph has a topological ordering, a sequence of the nodes such that every oriented is directed from earlier to later in the sequence. Furthermore, the process map PM is a connected graph, meaning that all the nodes are at least one incoming or/and outcoming oriented link.

While various embodiments have been described and illustrated, the detailed description is not to be construed as being limited hereto. Various modifications can be made to the embodiments by those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the claims.

ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In the example shown in Figures 4, the process map comprises nine nodes connected by eight oriented links. The process map PM is configured to allow a subject, notably a kid, to achieve the goal of being able to name fluidly word in one language and name specific parts of a scene. Two target nodes are therefore present in this process map: the node IX which relates to the objective of “naming words fluidly” and the node VI which relates to the objective of “naming specific parts of a scene”. This example further comprises two initial nodes. The first initial node iN, which is labeled in the Figure as I, relates to the objective “name the reinforcers” and is an acquired state N_as, visualized as a black full circle. The initial node I is connecter by an oriented link in an active configuration L_a, visualized as a bold arrow, to the node II which relates to the objective “name familiar objects”. Since the objective of the node II is an acquired state N_as, visualized as a black full circle, this provides the information to a user displaying the process map PM that this objective has already been achieved by the subject. The second initial node III, relates to the objective “naming by yes/no” and is as well in an acquired state N_as. The node IV, representing the objective “name a designated object”, receives two incoming oriented links, coming from the node II and the second initial node III, which are both in an active configuration L_a. Since both these oriented links are in an active configuration L_a, the node IV is as well in an acquired state N_as. Two oriented links in an active configuration L_a leave the node IV to reach node V, representing the objective “naming items in a scene”, and node VII, representing the objective “name the object according to one of its aspects”. Both nodes V et VII are in a working-on objective state N_ws which is represented by a dashed circle. This provides the information to the user that, since the objectives of nodes I to IV have already been achieved by the subject, he/she can propose to the subject to work on both the objectives of nodes V and VII, or first to the objective of node V and after to the objective of node VII or inversely. Node V points through an oriented link in an inactive state Li to node VI which is still in a non achievable objective state Nns. While the node VII is connected to the target node IX by two oriented links in an inactive state Li and the intermediate node VIII, which represents the objective “acquire new denominations”, is in a non achievable objective state Nns. This visualization of the progress map clearly shows to the user that he/she still cannot propose to the subject to work on the achievement of objectives of nodes VI, VIII and IX.

The example of Figure 5 concerns a neurodevelopment process of a subject, notably a child. The process map comprises one initial node I, representing the objective “name a designated object”, which is connected through multiple oriented paths to three target nodes V, VI and VIII, representing respectively the target objectives of “name the function of an object”, “name multiple components” and “make a sentence with a preposition”. This process map shows to the user that the objectives of node I, node II (objective of “name an item by its function”) and node III (objective of “naming and action”) are in an acquired state N_as, represented by full black circles. It also shows, thanks to the active configuration L_aof the oriented link (i.e. bold arrows) pointing from node II to node VI and to the working-on objective state N_ws of node VI (i.e. dashed circle), that the target objective of node VI may be achievable for the subject, given the current status of progress of the neurodevelopment process. In the same way, the process map shows as well that the user may propose to the subject to work on the objective of nodes IV (“name with "noun-verb”) and target node V since those two nodes are in a working-on objective state N_ws. Node IV is connected to node VII, representing the objective of “name an item with a sentence”, by one oriented link in an inactive configuration Li. Node VII is represented as a white circle meaning that the node is in a non achievable objective state Nns. The process map therefore shows to the user that in order to achieve the target objective of node VIII the subject has to follow the oriented path connecting node IV to node VIII by achieving first the objective of node IV and then the objective of node VII in order to be able to work on the objective of node VIII.

The example illustrated in Figure 6, concerns a process of learning of a language for a child or a new language for an adult. In this example, the process map PM is configured to allow a subject to achieve the goal of using adverbs, graphically represented by the target node X. This example comprises two initial nodes. The first initial node iN, which is labeled in the Figure 6 as I, relates to the objective “name the reinforcers” and in an acquired state N_as, visualized as a black full circle. The initial node I is connecter by an oriented link in an active configuration L_a, visualized as a bold arrow, to the node II which relates to the objective “name familiar objects”. Since the objective of the node II is an acquired state N_as, visualized as a black full circle, this provides the information to a user visualizing the process map PM that this objective has already been achieved by the subject. The second initial node III, relates to the objective “naming by yes/no” and is as well in an acquired state N_as. Node IV, representing the objective “name a designated object”, receives two incoming oriented links, coming from the node II and the second initial node III, which are both in an active configuration L_a. Since both these oriented links are in an active configuration L_a the node IV is as well in an acquired state N_as. Three oriented links in an active configuration L_a leave the node IV to reach node V, node VI and node VII, representing respectively the objectives of “name pronouns”, “name the color of an object” and “name the shape of objects”. Nodes V, VI and VII are in a working-on objective state N_ws represented as dashed circles, informing the user that he/she can propose the subject to work on one of this three objectives no matter the order. In the case wherein the subject is an adult learning a new language, he/she can be as well the user. One oriented link in an inactive configuration Li leaves each of the node V, VI and VII. Both oriented links leaving nodes VI and VII reach node VII while the oriented link leaving node V reaches directly the target node X. This provides the information to the user that in order to achieve the target objective, the user/subject has to follow the oriented path passing by node VIII, representing the objective of “name object features”, and then node VIX, representing the objective of “name prepositions”, so as to finally have access to target node X.

EXAMPLES

The present invention is further illustrated by the following examples.

Example 1:

In this example, the method is used to assess and improve the psychological, neurological, sensitive and motor state (i.e. the medical state) of patients with chronic neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer disease.

In patient with Alzheimer the “improved medical state” has to be associated to maintaining patient autonomy in its daily tasks and preventing or slow down health condition decline. In this example, the user of the method and system is a caregiver which proceeds to evaluate the daily living abilities and patient mental functions. This information is used to estimate the state of the nodes (i.e. non achievable, working-on, achieved state) and the progression values associated to the nodes of a predefined process map that has been received from a remote server. Said predefined process map being defined for this specific example of neurodegenerative disease and therefore comprising typical psychological, neurological, sensitive and motor path of development for patients suffering for a chronic neurodegenerative disease. The different daily living abilities and patient mental functions are associated to different nodes of the process map. For example, one node may be the ability “to raise the hand over the head” and it is the pre-requisite for another node associated to the ability “to take a shower alone”. The current situation of the patient may be represented with colors on the process map: green for “acquired”, blue for “in-progress”, orange for “in-regression” and red for “non achievable”. Using the process map, the caregiver is able to create a precise therapeutic plan for maintaining the patient autonomy in the daily routine. For example, if the patient is having trouble taking showers alone, the caregivers can choose to work on the ability: “to raise the hand over the head” with imitation exercises, therefore stimulating of the patient arm motricity and muscles to prevent or at least slow down their degradation.

Whenever the daily living abilities and mental decrease, the caregivers will input the objectives evaluation of the daily living abilities and patient mental functions reflecting this decrease to the method/system. This new information may modify, for example, the state of the node associated to the ability “to raise the hand over the head” from “in-regression” to “non achievable”. All target nodes with thresholds being “acquired” or “in-progress” or “in-regression” will not be displayed in red, as the patient with this specific disease may indeed loose certain abilities with the progression of the disease. For example, “to comb alone” is an ability that the patient may not have anymore. However, the caregivers do not need to assess this ability anymore because it has “to raise the hand over the head” as pre-requisite with a threshold being “acquired”.

As consequence, the caregivers have continuous information about the patient medical state, helping them through the progression of the training program by identifying the optimal exercises and therapies. Therefore, the patient will maintain better autonomy and well-being for a longer time.

Example 2:

In this example, the method is used to assess and improve the psychological, neurological, sensitive and motor state of a patient with autism, notably a child. The patient of the present example is Antoine, a 7 years old boy diagnosed with autism. In this example, the user of the method and system is a speech therapist that starts a therapy with the objective of developing the medical state of Antoine, which does not talk. To improve this medical state, the speech therapist wants Antoine to start by developing one target skill: pointing towards at least one object the child wants. The objective “Pointing towards objects Antoine wants” will be used as an input by the speech therapist, into the software, i.e. method or system of the present invention. A predefined process map, specifically designed for patients with autism is received from a remote server. One of the target nodes of the training program of the process map being associated to the motor skill of pointing towards objects.

By visualizing the process map the speech therapist is able to instantly identify the nodes upstream to the target node, and therefore the pre-requisite objectives that the child has to develop in order to achieve the target objective.

The ability (i.e. skill) “To imitate an adult raising the index finger” is a pre-requisite objective of “Pointing towards an object”. The ability “pointing towards an object” has other pre-requisites such as “finding his favorite toy around him”.

The method will display a number of questions to evaluate the progress values associated to the pre-requisite objectives nodes. Indeed, each node is associated to a list of tasks. The speech therapist will answer with multiple possibilities to the level of development of the task in the list for each node. This process will allow to determine the state of the node: “acquired”, “in-progress”, “in-regression”, “non achievable”. For example, one possible question associated to one task may be: “Does Antoine reach to his favorite toy with his arms?”.

The method/system of the invention evaluates the progress values of the pre-requisite objectives nodes for which the user provided adequate information and uses them to update the process map. The speech therapist displays than the updated process map of the typical psychological, neurological, sensitive and motor path of development of the child. The current medical state of Antoine is represented with colors on the process map: green for “acquired”, blue for “in-progress”, orange for “in-regression” and red for “non achievable”.

The speech therapist will use the information of the process map, that may be visualized, to identify what pre-requisite objectives must be worked on as a priority. For example: there is no point working the ability “pointing towards objects” if the motricity is too weak to “imitate an adult raising the index finger”, which is an easier ability to develop. Therefore, from the process map, the speech therapeutic will immediately and univocally understand which are the easiest exercises to help Antoine follow a progressive path towards his objectives. Whenever Antoine will successfully achieve a new objective skill, for example “imitate an adult raising the index finger”, the speech therapist will input this information in the method/system which will switch the objective node from “not achievable” to “acquired”.

All objective nodes in a “working on” state and oriented links in an active configuration will be communicated to the user, notably through-out visualization. The updated process map shows the new possibilities for the speech therapist and Antoine to work on a progress in the training program.

Therefore, the speech therapist can follow a training program offering Antoine an efficient therapy to improve his medical state. Therefore, Antoine will develop more communicating abilities, in a faster way.

REFERENCES

PM - process map;

Li - inactive configuration of an oriented link; L_{a -} active configuration of an oriented link; iN - initial node; tN - target node;

Nns - non achievable objective state of a node;

Nws - working-on objective state; Nas - acquired state.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for a training program for a subject receiving medical attention, where the training program comprises at least one succession of steps associated to objectives to be achieved to reach a target objective, the method comprising: receiving a process map (PM) comprising:

• nodes and oriented links connecting two nodes, wherein the oriented links are associated to a predefined activation threshold and are configured to switch between an inactive configuration (Li) and an active configuration (L_a);

• at least one node being an initial node (iN) representing at least one basic prerequisite objective; and

• at least one node being a target node (tN) representing at least one target objective directed to an improved medical state; the nodes being connected by the oriented links so that the initial node (iN) and the target node (tN) are linked by at least one oriented path; wherein each of said nodes following the initial node:

• is configured to switch between non achievable objective state (N„s) to a working-on objective state (N_wS) and to switch between the working-on objective state (N_wS) to an acquired state; receiving, for all the nodes of the process map, a progression value of the node and the state of the node; updating the process map (PM) by:

• for each node in the working-on objective state (N_wS), comparing its progression value to the predefined activation threshold of each outgoing oriented link of the node and whenever the predefined activation threshold of one oriented link exceed the progression value of the node switch the oriented link between the inactive configuration (Li) and active configuration (L_a);

• for each node in non achievable objective state, switching to the working-on objective state (N_wS) whenever all incoming oriented links are in an active configuration (L_a) and switching to the acquired state (N_aS) when the objective that the node represents has been successfully achieved; outputting the updated process map (PM) so that the subject performs the training program based on said updated process map (PM) - iteratively updating the process map (PM) during the progression of the training program.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the initial node (iN) representing at least one prerequisite objective is in an acquired state.

3. The method according to either claim 1 or 2, wherein each node is a visual landmark having dimensions proportional to the number of incoming oriented links to which is linked.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each oriented link is arrow-shaped and points toward the node for which it is an incoming oriented link.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each node includes a list of tasks to be accomplished to achieve the objective of the node.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising interactively selecting at least one node and displaying on the process map (PM) a window comprising the list of tasks and/or the progression value of the node.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the training program includes the acquisition of at least one target skill by the subject and the objective associated to at least one of said nodes is a competence of the subject.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the progression values and the states of the nodes are calculated from subject data.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the subject data comprises physiological signals acquired from a sensor and/or a user input.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the training process is a reeducation program for a subject with physical impairment.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the training process is a neurodevelopment process of a child with neurodevelopmental disorders.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising displaying the updated process map.

13. A computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12

14. A computer readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12

15. A system for a training program for a subject receiving medical attention, where the training program comprises at least one succession of steps associated to objectives to be achieved to reach a target objective, the system comprising: - at least one memory comprising a process map (PM) having:

• nodes and oriented links connecting two nodes, wherein the oriented links are associated to a predefined activation threshold and are configured to switch between an inactive configuration (Li) and an active configuration (L_a); · at least one node being an initial node (iN) representing at least one basic prerequisite objective; and • at least one node being a target node (tN) representing at least one target objective directed to an improved medical state; the nodes being connected by the oriented links so that the initial node (iN) and the target node (tN) are linked by at least one oriented path; wherein each of said nodes following the initial node:

• is configured to switch between non achievable objective state (N_ns) to a working-on objective state (N_wS) and to switch between the working-on objective state (N_wS) to an acquired state; at least one input adapted to receive, for all the nodes of the process map, a progression value of the node and the state of the node; at least one processor configured to generate an updated process map (PM) by:

• for each node in non achievable objective state, switching to the working-on objective state (N_wS) whenever all incoming oriented links are in an active configuration (L_a) and switching to the acquired state (N_aS) when the objective that the node represents has been successfully achieved; wherein the at least one processor is configured to iteratively update the process map (PM) during the progression of the training program; at least one output adapted to provide said updated process map (PM) so that the subject performs the training program based on said updated process map.

16. The system according to claim 13, wherein each node includes a list of tasks to be accomplished to achieve the objective of the node.

17. The system according to either on of claim 13 or 14, wherein the progression values and the states of the nodes are calculated from subject data and the subject data comprises physiological signals acquired from a sensor and/or a user input.

18. The system according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the training program is a reeducation program for a subject with physical impairment.

19. The system according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the training program is a neurodevelopment process of a child with neurodevelopmental disorders.

20. A method for obtaining a process map (PM) for a training program for a subject receiving medical attention, a process map (PM) comprising nodes and oriented links connecting two nodes, said method comprising:

- receiving a list of objectives comprising at least one target objective node representing at least one target objective directed to an improved medical state;

- defining one node for each objective, wherein the target objective defines a target node (tN) and defining one node as an initial node (iN) representing at least one basic prerequisite objective;

- obtaining a process map (PM) by, for each node, defining at least one incoming oriented link and/or at least one outgoing oriented link linking the node to at least one another node so that the initial node (iN) and the target node (tN) are linked by an oriented path;

- outputting said process map (PM) so that the subject performs the training program based on said process map; wherein the oriented links are associated to a predefined activation threshold and are configured to switch between an inactive configuration (Li) and an active configuration (L_a); and the nodes are configured to switch between non achievable objective state (N_ns) to a working-on objective state (N_wS) and to switch between the working-on objective state (N_wS) to an acquired state.

21. A process map (PM) comprising: nodes and oriented links connecting two nodes, wherein the oriented links are associated to a predefined activation threshold and are configured to switch between an inactive configuration (Li) and an active configuration (L_a); - at least one node being an initial node (iN) representing at least one basic prerequisite objective; and at least one node being a target node (tN) representing at least one target objective directed to an improved medical state; the nodes being connected by the oriented links so that the initial node (iN) and the target node (tN) are linked by at least one oriented path; wherein each of said nodes following the initial node: represents an objective and is linked to at least one other node by at least one incoming oriented link and/or at least one outgoing oriented link; is associated to a progression value; - is configured to switch between a non achievable objective state (N„s) to a working-on objective state (N_wS) and to switch between the working-on objective state (N_wS) to an acquired state.