Generic Java rule engine framework

• US 6,895,575 B2
• Filed: 06/20/2001
• Issued: 05/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: SAP SE
• Original Assignee: SAP AG (SAP SE)
• Inventors: Dharamshi, Gautam
• Primary Examiner(s): Khatri, Anil
• Application Number:
  US09/885,836
• Publication Number:
  US 20020199171A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,427 Days
• Field of Search: 717/104, 717/108, 717114-118, 717124-125, 717/128, 717/148, 706 45- 47
• US Class Current: 717/117
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/28 by checking the correct order of processing G06F11/08 - G06F11/26 take precedence; monitoring patterns of pulse trains H03K5/19

Abstract

A generic Java rule engine framework that will permit a rule engine to be called based upon events captured from objects without requiring object programmers to explicitly insert hooks for calling the rule engine within the objects. A business-to-business electronic marketplace can be outfitted with such a framework for acting upon events occurring within objects. The framework comprises utilizing a standard Java debugging interface to accept events and a rule engine to act upon such events.

Claims

1. A generic rule engine framework for a computer system comprising:

a rule engine capable of applying a rule against an object upon an occurrence of an event within said object;

a debugging interface capable of detecting events from said object; and

an event handler thread capable of obtaining said event through said debugging interface and providing said event to said rule engine.

2. A generic rule engine framework as in claim 1, wherein said rule engine and said object are programmed in Java.

3. A generic rule engine framework as in claim 1, wherein said rule engine applies said rule through the creation of a RETE Net.

4. A generic rule engine framework as in claim 1, further comprising:

a logging thread capable of logging said event; and

a database capable of storing said logged event.

5. A generic rule engine framework as in claim 1, further comprising a rule callback thread capable of invoking a method on said object to affect a change within said object based upon said application of said rule in response to said event.

6. A method of capturing an event from an object and responding to said event without requiring the explicit insertion of hooks into an object comprising:

capturing said event through a debugging interface;

providing said event to a rule engine;

applying a rule in response to said event.

7. A method of capturing an event from an object and responding to said event as in claim 6, wherein said rule engine and said objects are programmed in Java.

8. A method of capturing an event from an object and responding to said event as in claim 6, wherein said applying a rule comprises creating a RETE Net.

9. A method of capturing an event from an object and responding to said event as in claim 6, further comprising logging said event on a database.

10. A method of capturing an event from an object and responding to said event as in claim 6, further comprising affecting said object based upon said application of said rule.

11. An electronic marketplace having a generic rule engine framework comprising:

an object related to electronic commerce;

a rule engine capable of applying a rule against said object upon an occurrence of an event within said object;

a debugging interface capable of detecting events from said object and reporting said events to said rule engine; and

an event handler thread capable of obtaining said event through said debugging interface and providing said event to said rule engine.

12. An electronic marketplace as in claim 11, wherein said rule engine and said object are programmed in Java.

13. An electronic marketplace as in claim 11, wherein said rule engine applies said rule through the creation of a RETE Net.

14. An electronic marketplace as in claim 11, further comprising:

a logging thread capable of logging said event; and

a database capable of storing said logged event.

15. An electronic marketplace as in claim 11, further comprising a rule callback thread capable of invoking a method on said object to affect a change within said object based upon said application of said rule in response to said event.

16. An article of manufacture comprising:

an electronically accessible medium providing instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to;

capture an event from an object via a debugging interface;

provide said event to a rule engine; and

apply a rule in response to said event.

17. The article of manufacture of claim 16, wherein the instructions that, when executed by the apparatus, cause the apparatus to apply a rule, cause the apparatus to create a RETE Net.

18. The article of manufacture of claim 16, wherein the instructions that, when executed by the apparatus, cause the apparatus to capture an event, cause the apparatus to log said event on a database.

19. The article of manufacture of claim 16, wherein the instructions that, when executed by the apparatus, cause the apparatus to apply a rule, cause the apparatus to affect said object based upon the application of said rule.