Rule engine method and system
First Claim
1. A method of tracking operations in an automated business process, the method comprising:
- defining a plurality of operations at a plurality of nodes in a business process;
executing a workflow comprising the operations;
applying a plurality of business rules to the workflow at the nodes to affect the operations;
optionally changing the business rules and applying the changed business rules during execution of the workflow; and
providing a correlation between the business rules applied to the nodes and the corresponding affected operations to track operations within the workflow.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Providing tracking of operations in an automated business process includes executing a workflow that includes business operations defined at nodes in the business process. The business rules are applied to the workflow at the nodes such that the operations are affected by the rule content. The business rules can be optionally changed and subsequently, the changed business rules can be applied to the workflow during execution without stopping execution of the workflow. A correlation mechanism is provided between the business rules applied to the operations nodes and the corresponding affected operations. The workflow and rule engine processors are integrated providing correlation and tracking of the workflow progress. A declarative method of expressing changes to the business rules is included. An optional query function to retrieve information relative to the operation being performed enhances performance of the workflow.
93 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of tracking operations in an automated business process, the method comprising:
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defining a plurality of operations at a plurality of nodes in a business process;
executing a workflow comprising the operations;
applying a plurality of business rules to the workflow at the nodes to affect the operations;
optionally changing the business rules and applying the changed business rules during execution of the workflow; and
providing a correlation between the business rules applied to the nodes and the corresponding affected operations to track operations within the workflow. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A computer system comprising;
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a first processor function for executing instructions corresponding to a business workflow;
a second processor function for executing instructions corresponding to a plurality of business rules;
a first input device for receiving a document for routing according to the business workflow;
a second input device for accepting a change made to at least one of the business rules; and
an output device for transmitting the document according to the business workflow;
wherein upon an input from the first input device, the document is processed according to the business workflow using the business rules, and upon an input from the second input device, a workflow process affecting the document is changed in accordance with the change made to the at least one of the business rules, and wherein the workflow process is uninterrupted as a result of applying the change made to the at least one of the business rules. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A machine-readable medium, comprising instructions which execute a method of tracking of operations in an automated business process, the method comprising:
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defining a plurality of operations at a plurality of nodes in a business process;
executing a workflow comprising the operations;
applying a plurality of business rules to the workflow at the nodes to affect the operations;
optionally changing the business rules and applying the changed business rules during execution of the workflow; and
providing a correlation between the business rules applied to the nodes and the corresponding affected operations to provide tracking of operations within the workflow. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of business process automation, the method comprising:
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executing a business process workflow in a machine comprising a workflow processor and a rules engine, wherein the business process workflow derives decision criteria from at least one rule, and wherein the workflow processor and rules engine comprise the same machine;
utilizing rule changes while simultaneously continuing execution of the workflow, wherein the changes comprise declarative if/then statements; and
optionally utilizing at least one database query to acquire information relevant to the workflow process and the at least one rule. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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Specification