Modeling system

• US 20020038206A1
• Filed: 03/15/2001
• Published: 03/28/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Opcat Systems Limited
• Original Assignee: Dov Dori
• Inventors: Dori, Dov
• Granted Patent: US 7,099,809 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 703/22
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/58 Use of machine translation, e.g. for multi-lingual retrieval, for server-side translation for client devices or for real-time translation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/04 Forecasting or optimisation specially adapted for administrative or management purposes, e.g. linear programming or "cutting stock problem" market predictions or forecasting for commercial activities G06Q30/0202
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/101 Collaborative creation, e.g. joint development of products or services

Abstract

Disclosed herein are techniques for generating textual descriptions of a graphic model and vice-versa. The techniques may be used, for example, in conjunction with a scheme that models objects and processes as independent entities. The techniques have a wide variety of applications including automatic code generation, system simulation, and language translation.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method of modeling, the method comprising:

receiving input specifying at least one graphic element of a model diagram, different graphic elements in the diagram including a first graphic element representing a process and a second graphic element representing an object; and

based on the received input, generating a textual description of the diagrammed model.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the graphic elements correspond to a notation modeling objects and processes as independent elements.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the notation comprises Object-Process Methodology notation.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the textual description comprises:

determining one or more context-free grammar production rules corresponding to the input; and

generating a context-free grammar expression from the one or more context-free grammar production rules.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the production rules comprises production rules consistent with a natural language.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the model diagram and at least a portion of the textual description are displayed simultaneously.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the received input comprises receiving user input.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the generating the textual description comprises generating the description in real-time response to the received user input.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the textual description comprises generating in a batch mode.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving input specifying a level of detail to depict.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising determining a portion of the textual description to display based on the received user input specifying the level of detail.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising translating a label of a graphic element from a first natural language to a second natural language.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein generating the textual description comprises generating using production rules of a context-free grammar for the second natural language.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising using the generated text to automatically generate software instructions to implement the model.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising using the generated text to provide a simulation of a modeled system.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the graphic elements correspond to a notation modeling objects and processes as independent elements.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the notation comprises Object-Process Methodology notation.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the received textual description comprises a textual description in a context-free grammar.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the context-free grammar comprises a grammar having production rules consistent with a natural language.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein generating the model comprises parsing the received input in accordance with the production rules.

22. The method of claim 16, wherein at least a portion of the model diagram and at least a portion of the textual description are displayed simultaneously.

23. The method of claim 16, wherein the input comprises user input.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the generating the model diagram comprises generating the diagram in real-time response to the received user input.

25. The method of claim 16, wherein generating the textual description comprises generating in a batch mode.

26. The method of claim 16, further comprising receiving input specifying a level of detail to depict.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising determining a portion of the model diagram to display based on the received input specifying the level of detail.

28. The method of claim 16, further comprising using the received input to automatically generate software instructions to implement the model.

29. The method of claim 16, further comprising using the received input to provide a simulation of a modeled system.

16. A computer-implemented method of modeling, the method comprising:

receiving a textual description of a model;

based on the received description, generating a model diagram composed of different graphic elements, the different graphic elements including a first graphic element representing a process and a second graphic element representing an object.

30. A method of translating text from a first natural language to a second natural language, the method comprising:

receiving input specifying a diagram including elements labeled in accordance with a first natural language, the diagram including at least one independent object and at least one independent process;

translating the element labels from the first natural language to the second natural language;

generating text in the second natural language in accordance with a grammar associated with the diagram elements.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the diagram comprises an OPM (Object-Process Methodology) diagram.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein generating text comprises generating text using a context-free grammar associated with the diagram elements, the context-free grammar being consistent with the syntax of the second language.

33. A computer program product, disposed on a computer readable medium, for modeling, the computer program including instructions for causing a processor to:

receive input specifying at least one graphic element of a model diagram, different graphic elements in the diagram including a first graphic element representing a process and a second graphic element representing an object;

based on the received input, generate a textual description of the diagrammed model;

34. A computer program product, disposed on a computer readable medium, for modeling, the computer program including instructions for causing a processor to:

receive a textual description of a model; and

based on the received description, generate a model diagram composed of different graphic elements, the different graphic elements including a first graphic element representing a process and a second graphic element representing an object.