Hybrid use of rule and constraint engines
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- generating business rules using a rules editor;
defining a constraint satisfaction problem in terms of the business rules;
executing the business rules using a rules engine; and
resolving the constraint satisfaction problem in terms of constraints using a constraint based optimization engine.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus that allow business users to dynamically add, modify, and delete business rules and associated constraints, and then to apply these changes in a very efficient manner without needing to recompile and/or restart e-business applications, is disclosed. According to one embodiment, hybrid use of the business rules and constraints with multiple decision-support engines provides the practical solution for the described problems. Rules are used to define the generic search space only, without needing to describe all special cases. Then an optimization (not rule-based) engine can automatically create and analyze all possible branches of the tree specified by the rules to select the best one. Because one universal rule engine is not sufficient to handle online decision support, in one embodiment there is a family of intelligent engines (including the rule engine) that can resolve the optimization problem generated automatically based on the applicable dynamic rules.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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generating business rules using a rules editor;
defining a constraint satisfaction problem in terms of the business rules;
executing the business rules using a rules engine; and
resolving the constraint satisfaction problem in terms of constraints using a constraint based optimization engine. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A machine-readable medium that provides instructions which, when executed by a machine, cause the machine to perform operations comprising:
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generating business rules using a rules editor;
providing for automatic generation of a constraint satisfaction problem based on the business rules;
executing the business rules using a rules engine; and
providing for solution of the constraint satisfaction problem in terms of constraints using a constraint based optimization engine. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An apparatus comprising:
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a rules editor to generate business rules;
a business application to provide for automatic generation of a constraint satisfaction problem based on the business rules;
a rules engine to execute the business rules; and
a constraint engine coupled with the business application to provide for solution of the constraint satisfaction problem. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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Specification