Relational logic management system

• US 20050038764A1
• Filed: 06/04/2004
• Published: 02/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fair Isaac Corporation
• Original Assignee: Fair Isaac Corporation
• Inventors: Minsky, Steven, Forgy, Charles, Tan, Ming
• Granted Patent: US 7,428,519 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 706/47
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0633 Workflow analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06375 Prediction of business process outcome or impact based on a proposed change
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/067 Enterprise or organisation modelling

Abstract

In one aspect, the invention relates to a method to propagate relations between a first rule set and a second rule set wherein the first and second rule sets are invoked by a common workflow model. The method includes tracing paths forward through the workflow model from the first rule set to the second rule set. Enumerating relations that extend forward from the first rule set to the second rule set is another step in the method. Additionally, using multi-valued logic, calculating the effects on the relations of control flow through the workflow model from the first rule set to the second rule set, tracing paths backward through the workflow model from the second rule set to the first rule set, enumerating relations that extend backward from the second rule set to the first rule set, and using multi-valued logic, calculating the effects on the relations of control flow backwards through the workflow model from the second rule set to the first rule set are also steps in the method.

Claims

1. A method to propagate relations between a first rule set and a second rule set where the first and second rule sets are invoked by a common workflow model, the method comprising:

tracing paths forward through the workflow model from the first rule set to the second rule set,

enumerating relations that extend forward from the first rule set to the second rule set, and

using multi-valued logic, calculating the effects on the relations of control flow through the workflow model from the first rule set to the second rule set.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

tracing paths backward through the workflow model from the second rule set to the first rule set,

enumerating relations that extend backward from the second rule set to the first rule set, and

using multi-valued logic, calculating the effects on the relations of control flow backwards through the workflow model from the second rule set to the first rule set.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the method includes creating flow graphs for the ordinary procedural code embedded in the workflow model, propagating relations between the nodes in the flow graphs.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the method includes creating flow graphs for the business rules embedded in the workflow model, propagating relations between the nodes in the flow graphs.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the multi-valued logic is a two-valued logic.

6. A method for storing at least one sequence of workflow steps and rule sets in memory such that the reuse of the at least one sequence is facilitated, the method comprising:

(a) storing the sequence, and

(b) storing relational information computed for each variable used in the sequence, wherein the relational information remains accessible to an operator to facilitate sequence reuse.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the sequence comprises meta-information.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein the sequence has one input and one output.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein the relational information is accessible through an interface.

10. The method of claim 6 wherein the sequence is arranged based upon a hierarchy.

11. A method for inserting a sequence of workflow steps into a business process model, the method comprising:

(a) comparing the relational information stored for each variable in the sequence to the relational information computed for the business process model,

(b) creating computer initialization instructions to initialize each variable in the sequence, and

(c) inserting the computer initialization instructions into the business process model such that the computer initialization instructions will be executed before the sequence of workflow steps.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the steps of:

(d) creating computer finalization instructions to finalize the sequence by converting the values of the variables in the sequence into a form that can be used by the business process model, and

(e) inserting the computer finalization instructions into the business process model such that the computer finalization instructions will be executed after the sequence of workflow steps.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the business process model is a sub-process.

14. A relational logic management system comprising:

a modeler adapted for generating business logic,

the modeler comprising at least one logical component;

at least one repository for storing business logic generated by the modeler; and

at least two rule sets, wherein relationships between rule set elements are determinable using a bi-directional comparative process.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the business logic comprises at least one workflow.

16. The system of claim 14 further comprising a code generator adapted for generating code in response to the modeler.

17. The system of claim 16 further comprising at least one code executor for receiving code from the code generator and executing a portion of the code.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the modeler includes a graphical user interface.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein each rule set includes at least one rule.

20. The system of claim 14, wherein at least one rule set includes a pattern matching rule.

21. A system for analyzing a business process model, the system comprising:

a first rule set comprising at least one rule;

a second rule set comprising at least one rule;

a workflow defining at least a portion of the business process model;

a means for identifying rule parameters; and

an interface means for modifying the workflow.

22. The system of claim 21 wherein the workflow comprises reusable chunks.

23. The system of claim 21 wherein the means for identifying rule parameters detects dependency relationships among rules by input and output parameters.

24. The system of claim 21 wherein the interface means comprises a graphical user interface.

25. The system of claim 21 wherein the workflow comprises at least one path and at least one node.

26. A method for propagating relations between a first business parameter and a second business parameter wherein the first and second business parameters are invoked by a common workflow model, the method comprising:

tracing paths along a first direction through the workflow model from the first business parameter to the second business parameter,

enumerating relations that extend along the first direction from first the business parameter to the second business parameter,

using multi-valued logic, calculating the effects on the relations of control flow through the workflow model from the first business parameter to the second business parameter.

27. The method of claim 26 further comprising the steps of:

tracing paths along a second direction through the workflow model from the second business parameter to the first business parameter,

enumerating relations that extend along the second direction from the second business parameter to the first business parameter, and

using multi-valued logic, calculating the effects on the relations of control flow backwards through the workflow model from the second business parameter to the first business parameter.

28. The method of claim 26 wherein each business parameter is chosen from a group consisting of a workflow, a rule set, and a rule.

29. The method of claim 26 wherein the first direction comprises a forward direction.

30. The method of claim 26 wherein the first direction comprises a backward direction.