System and method for creating a performance tool and a performance tool yield

• US 6,931,622 B1
• Filed: 11/30/2001
• Issued: 08/16/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sprint Communications Company LP (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Original Assignee: Sprint Communications Company LP (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Inventors: Worley, Chris M., Van Booven, Kenneth W., Andrade, Ignacio III, Duncan, Horace W. III, Oliver, John H. III, Meeks, Peter A., Waterman, Michael S., Aldrich, Daniel J., Way, Todd D., Maynor, Mathew A., Haner, Brian D., O'Meara, Regina H., Wade, Logan, Waterman, Frank M., Langston, Christopher L., Jarrett, Lorna M.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHAVIS, JOHN Q
• Application Number:
  US10/017,895
• Time in Patent Office: 1,355 Days
• Field of Search: 717/107, 706/45
• US Class Current: 717/107
• CPC Class Codes: G06N 5/025 Extracting rules from data

Abstract

A system and method for generating a performance tool includes a builder, a seeker, and a catalyst. The builder is used to generate the seeker. The seeker is selected for operation, thereby launching the catalyst. The catalyst runs the seeker and receives assertions, such as selected answers, in response to interrogatives, such as questions. When all assertions are provided to all interrogatives, the seeker generates a yield. However, the yield also can be generated dynamically as the seeker operates.

Claims

1. A system for determining requirements for a yield comprising:

a seeker comprising at least one interrogative, at least one potential assertion, and logic associated with a combination of the interrogative and an assertion provided in response to the interrogative and the at least one potential assertion and configured to generate the yield as a solution based on the interrogative, the assertion, and the logic;

a builder configured to build the seeker; and

a catalyst configured to operate the seeker and, based on the interrogative and the assertion, to execute the logic to select at least one component for the yield.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a controller configured to operate at least one member of a group comprising the builder and the catalyst.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the builder further comprises builder programming language code and the controller comprises:

a processor configured to process the builder programming language code and input data to effect generating the seeker;

memory configured to store the input data for the processing of the builder programming language code; and

a user interface configured to receive and transmit to the processor the input data for the builder to effect generating the builder programming language code.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the user interface further is configured to generate other data for manifestation.

5. The system of claim 3 wherein the user interface comprises at least one member of a group comprising a graphical user interface, a voice recognition interface, a voice activated interface, a voice generation interface, a video interface, and an audio interface.

6. The system of claim 3 wherein the controller further comprises an input/output interface configured to receive other data from an external device to effect generating the seeker.

7. The system of claim 2 wherein the controller comprises:

a processor configured to process the seeker, including the logic, and the input data to effect generating the yield for the seeker;

memory configured to store seeker data for the seeker and to transmit to the processor the seeker data; and

a user interface configured to receive and transmit to the processor the seeker data to effect processing the logic of the seeker.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the user interface further is configured to generate other data for manifestation.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein the user interface comprises at least one member of a group comprising a graphical user interface, a voice recognition interface, a voice activated interface, a voice generation interface, a video interface, and an audio interface.

10. The system of claim 7 wherein the controller further comprises an input/output interface configured to receive other data from an external device to effect processing the seeker.

11. The system of claim 1 further comprising a repository configured to store data used by at least one member of a group comprising the builder and the catalyst.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the repository is configured to store objects used by the builder to build the seeker.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the objects comprise at least one member of a group comprising a decision node, an action node, an input node, an output node, a pipe node, a process node, a smart component node, a define object an order object, a network element object, an email object, a database update object, a notification object, a run test object, a launch chat object, an open media object, an open link object, a get data object, and a help link object.

14. The system of claim 11 wherein the repository is configured to store objects used by the catalyst to process the seeker.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the objects comprise at least one member of a group comprising a decision node instance, an action node instance, an input node instance, an output node instance, a pipe node instance, a process node instance, a smart component node instance, a define object, an order object, a network element object, an email object, a database update object, a notification object, a run test object, a launch chat object, an open media object, an open link object, a get data object, and a help link object.

16. The system of claim 1 further comprising a security system configured to govern access to at least one member of a group comprising the builder and the seeker.

17. The system of claim 1 further comprising a super-user system configured to access the builder and to generate the seeker.

18. The system of claim 1 further comprising a user system configured to access the seeker and to launch the catalyst to operate the seeker.

19. A system for determining requirements for a yield comprising:

a seeker configured with a plurality of interrogatives, a plurality of potential assertions, and a plurality of command strings, at least one potential assertion corresponding to each interrogative, and at least one command string corresponding to each combination of each interrogative and the corresponding at least one potential assertion; and

a builder configured to generate the interrogatives, the potential assertions, and the command strings, to associate the potential assertions to the interrogatives, and to associate the command strings to the combinations of each interrogatives and the corresponding at least one potential assertions to build the seeker.

20. A system for determining a yield comprising:

a seeker configured to generate a plurality of interrogatives and a plurality of potential assertions, at least one potential assertion associated for each interrogative, and configured with a plurality of command strings, each command string corresponding to a combination of one of the interrogatives and the associated at least one potential assertion; and

a catalyst configured to operate the seeker, to process command strings associated with the combinations of one of the interrogatives and the associated at least one potential assertions, and, in response thereto, to select at least one component for a the yield.

21. A system for determining a seeker comprising:

an input manager configured to receive an input and to generate a command string corresponding to the input;

a builder interpreter configured to receive the command string, to execute a command method corresponding to the command string, and, in response, to identify a data component for the seeker;

a builder collector configured to store the data component; and

a process manager configured to receive the command string from the input manager, to pass the command string to the builder interpreter, to receive the data component from the builder interpreter, and to store the data component in the builder collector.

22. The system of claim 21 wherein the builder interpreter is configured to crate an instance of a command object having the command method prior to executing the command.

23. The system of claim 21 wherein.

the builder interpreter further is configured to create a command factory and to pass the command string to the command factory;

and

the command factory is configured to create an instance of a command object having the command method and to pass the command method to the builder interpreter for execution.

24. The system of claim 23 wherein the command method comprises an execute method and the builder interpreter is configured to execute the execute method.

25. The system of claim 21 wherein the input manager further is configured to receive a command as the input and, in response, to generate a command request for additional input, to receive the additional input, and to create the command string using the command and the additional input.

26. The system of claim 25 further comprising a display manager wherein:

the input manager further is configured to pass the command request to the display manager; and

the display manager is configured to receive the command request and to render the request for the additional input.

27. The system of claim 26 wherein the display manager is configured to render the request by generating for display a dialogue box identifying the request for additional input.

28. The system of claim 26 wherein the display manager is configured to render the request by generating an audio simulated voice identify the request for additional input.

29. The system of claim 21 further comprising a display manager configured to render an interface identifying an option for the input.

30. The system of claim 29 wherein the option comprises at least one member of a group comprising a text entry box, a drop down box, and a command selection and the display manager is configured to generate a display interface for display, the display interface identifying the at least one member of the group comprising the text entry box, the drop down box, and the command selection.

31. The system of claim 29 wherein the option comprises at least one member of a group comprising a verbal entry, a verbal selection list, and a verbal command selection and the display manager is configured to generate an audio interface having an audio simulated voice identifying the at least one member of the group comprising the verbal entry, the verbal selection list, and the verbal command selection.

32. The system of claim 21 further comprising a display manager configured to render the data component.

33. The system of claim 32 wherein the display manager is configured to render the data component using at least one member of a group comprising a display interface and an audio interface.

34. The system of claim 32 wherein:

the input manager further is configured to pass a command request for additional information to the process manager; and

the process manager further is configured to retrieve the additional information from a repository and to transit the additional information to the input manager.

35. The system of claim 21 further comprising a command factory configured to create an instance of a command object having the command method and to pass the command object to the builder interpreter.

36. The system of claim 21 further comprising a builder collector configured to store the data component.

37. The system of claim 36 wherein the data component comprises a data object.

38. The system of claim 21 further comprising a deployment manager configured to distribute a plurality of data components for the seeker to a deployment location.

39. The system of claim 21 further comprising a debug manager configured to generate an execution of the command method to an output device.

40. The system of claim 39 wherein the debug manager has an on mode in which a data stream identifying the command method execution is transmitted to the output device and an off mode in which the data stream identifying the command method execution is not transmitted to the output device.

41. The system of claim 21 further comprising at least one base node having a type and at least one method and data for the type and configured to execute according to the type.

42. The system of claim 41 wherein the type comprises at least one member of a group comprising a decision node, a process node, a pipe node, an output node, and a smart component node.

43. The system of claim 42 wherein the type consists of the decision node and the method and data, when executed, are configured to generate an interrogative for which at least one assertion may be provided.

44. The system of claim 42 wherein the type consists of the process node and the method and data, when executed, are configured to generate text.

45. The system of claim 42 wherein the type consists of the process node and the method and data, when executed, are configured to generate a process.

46. The system of claim 42 wherein the type consists of the pipe node and the method and data, when executed, are configured to connect at least two objects.

47. The system of claim 42 wherein the type consists of the output node and the method and data, when executed, are configured to identify an output type and an output location for a yield of the seeker.

48. The system of claim 42 wherein the type consists of the smart component node and the method and data, when executed, are configured to execute an automated process.

49. The system of claim 41 wherein the base node comprises:

a node property comprising at least one property and an argument for a node type; and

a node position comprising positioning information for the base node identifying a position for an output at which the base node is located.

50. The system of claim 41 wherein the base node comprises a smart component comprising at least one method that, when executed, results in at least one member of a group comprising automating a process and rendering a data component.

51. A system for determining a seeker comprising:

an input manager configured to receive an input and to generate a command string corresponding to the input;

a command factory configured to create an instance of a command object having a command in an execute method and to pass the command object for execution;

an interpreter configured to receive the command string, to create the command factory and to pass the command string to the command factory, to receive the command object from the command factory, to execute the execute method, and thereafter, to identify a data component for the seeker;

a collector configured to store the data component; and

a process manager configured to receive the command string from the input manager, to create the interpreter, to pass the command string to the interpreter, to receive the data component from the interpreter, and to store the data component in the collector.

52. A system for processing a seeker comprising:

a flow manager configured to process at least one interrogative to generate the interrogative and at least one potential assertion, to receive at least one assertion in response hereto, and, thereafter, to process logic for the interrogative and the assertion to select at least one component having at least one variable to generate a yield; and

a yield manager configured to store the component having the variable for the yield.

53. The system of claim 52 wherein the logic comprises at least one command string set.

54. The system of claim 52 further comprising a user interface configured to render the interrogative and the potential assertion.

55. The system of claim 54 wherein the user interface comprises at least one member of a group comprising a graphical user interface, a voice simulated interface, a voice response interface, and a voice activated interface.

56. The system of claim 52 further comprising a user interface configured to receive the assertion as an input.

57. The system of claim 56 wherein the user interface comprises at least one member of a group comprising a graphical user interface, a voice simulated interface, a voice response interface, and a voice activated interface.

58. The system of claim 52 wherein:

the flow manager further is configured to process a plurality of interrogatives to generate the interrogatives and a plurality of potential assertions, to receive and process a plurality of assertions in response thereto, at least one assertion corresponding to each interrogative, and, thereafter, to select a plurality of components, each component having at least one variable, to generate the yield; and

the yield manager further is configured to store the components having the variables for the yield.

59. The system of claim 58 further comprising a user interface configured to render the interrogatives and the potential assertions.

60. The system of claim 59 wherein the user interface comprises at least one member of a group comprising a graphical user interface, a voice simulated interface, a voice response interface, and a voice activated interface.

61. The system of claim 58 further comprising a user interface configured to receive the assertions as inputs.

62. The system of claim 61 wherein the user interface, comprises at least one member of a group comprising a graphical user interface, a voice simulated interface, a voice response interface, and a voice activated interface.

63. The system of claim 52 wherein the flow manager comprises:

a component store configured with a component list having a component identification and a type corresponding to the component identification for a plurality of components;

an interrogative configured to generate an interrogative object having interrogative data and at least one potential assertion and to pass the interrogative object;

a flow manager assertion configured to receive an assertion object provided in response to the interrogative and to pass the assertion object;

interpretive logic configured to receive the interrogative object and the assertion object and to select a command string set in response thereto; and

an interpreter configured to receive the command string set from the interpretive logic, to execute at least one command method corresponding to the command string set, and, in response, to select at least one component from the component list for the yield.

64. The system of claim 63 wherein the interrogative comprises at least one member of a group comprising a question interrogative, a listener interrogative, and a component execution interrogative.

65. The system of claim 63 wherein the assertion object is selected in response to the interrogative and further is configured with a reference to a next interrogative.

66. The system of claim 63 wherein the interpreter further is configured to set a variable for the selected component for the yield.

67. The system of claim 63 further comprising a command factory configured to receive the command string set from the interpreter, to create at least one command object having the command method, the command object corresponding to the command string set, and to pass the command object to the interpreter.

68. The system of claim 63 wherein:

the system further comprises a command factory configured to receive the command string set from the interpreter, to create a plurality of command objects corresponding to the command string set, each command object having a corresponding command method, and to pass the command objects to the interpreter; and

the interpreter further is configured to create the command factory, to pass the command string set to the command factory, to receive the command objects from the command factory, to execute the corresponding command method of the command objects, and to perform at least one member of a group comprising select a plurality of components from the component store for the yield, selecting the at least one component and setting the at least one variable for the component, and setting a plurality of other variables for a plurality of other components.

69. The system of claim 63 wherein:

the system further comprises a command factory configured to receive the command string set from the interpreter, to create at least one command object having the command method, the command object corresponding to the command string set, and to pass the command object to the interpreter; and

the interpreter further is configured to create the command factory and to pass the command string set to the command factory.

70. The system of claim 63 further comprising native code configured to modify the component when the component is added to the yield.

71. The system of claim 52 wherein the yield manager further comprises:

a reversal block configured to store anti-logic corresponding to the processed logic;

a response history configured to store the assertion selected in response to the interrogative;

a yield variables configured to store the variable for the component; and

a yield collector configured to store the component.

72. The system of claim 52 wherein:

the yield manager further comprises;

a reversal block configured to store anti-logic corresponding to the processed logic;

a response history configured to store the assertion selected in response to the interrogative;

a yield variables configured to store the variable for the component; and

a yield collector configured to store the component; and

the flow manager further comprises;

a component store configured with a component list having a component identification and a type corresponding to the component identification for the component and a plurality of other components;

an interrogative configured to generate an interrogative object having interrogative data and at least one potential assertion, and to pass the interrogative object to the response history;

a flow manager assertion configured to receive an assertion object provided in response to the interrogative, and to pass the assertion object to the response history;

interpretive logic configured to receive the interrogative object and the assertion object and to select a command string set in response thereto; and

an interpreter configured to receive the command string set from the interpretive logic, to execute at least one command method corresponding to the command string set, and, in response, to select from the component store the at least one component having the at least one variable for the yield, to store the component in the yield collector, to set the variable in the yield variables, and to create the anti-logic opposing the executed command method, and to store the anti-logic in the reversal blocks.

73. A system for determining requirements for a seeker comprising:

a repository comprising a builder;

a server configured to access the repository to create an instance of the builder and to transmit the builder instance from the server; and

a super-user system configured to connect to the server via a connection, to download the builder instance to the super-user system, and to operate the builder instance to generate the seeker configured with a plurality of interrogatives a plurality of potential assertions, and a plurality of command strings, at least one potential assertion corresponding to each interrogative, and at least one command string associated to each combination of the at least one potential assertion and the corresponding interrogative.

74. The system of claim 73 further comprising a network wherein the super-user and the server are a part of the network and wherein the connection comprises an internet protocol connection.

75. A system for determining requirements for a seeker comprising:

a repository comprising a builder;

a server configured to access the repository to create an instance of the builder and to make the builder instance operational from the server; and

a super-user system configured to connect to the server via a connection and to operate the builder instance from the server to generate the seeker configured with a plurality of interrogatives, a plurality of potential assertions, and a plurality of command strings, at leas one potential assertion corresponding to each interrogative, and at least one command string associated to each combination of the at least one potential assertion and the corresponding interrogative.

76. A system for determining requirements for a yield comprising:

a repository comprising a seeker and a catalyst;

a server configured to access the repository to create an instance of the catalyst and an instance of the seeker and to transmit the seeker instance and the catalyst instance from the server; and

a user system configured to connect to the server via a connection, to download the catalyst instance and the seeker instance to the user system, to launch the catalyst instance with the seeker instance from the user system, and to operate the seeker instance to generate the yield.

77. The system of claim 76 further comprising a network wherein the user and the server are a part of the network and wherein the connection comprises an internet protocol connection.

78. A system for determining requirements for a yield comprising:

a repository comprising a seeker and a catalyst;

a server coffin to access the repository to create an instance of the catalyst and an instance of the seeker and to make the seeker instance operational with the catalyst distance from the server; and

a user system configured to connect to the server via a connection, to launch the catalyst instance with the seeker instance from the server, and to operate the seeker to instance generate the yield.

79. A system for generating a performance tool comprising:

a process object panel configured with a plurality of process objects;

a repository object panel configured with a plurality of repository objects; and

a graphic seeker representation panel configured to receive a plurality of seeker objects three dimensionally, each connected to at least one other, identifying a three dimensional seeker process, the plurality of seeker objects comprising at least one member of a group comprising at least one process object and at least one repository object.

80. The system of claim 79 further comprising at least one command button configured to generate a command for at least one object added to the graphic seeker representation panel.

81. The system of claim 80 wherein the command button further is configured to enable entry of an argument after the command is generated.

82. The system of claim 80 wherein the at least one command button comprises a command from at least one member of a group comprising create decision, create pipe, create process, create output, create smart component, enable, disable, if, endif, then, launch, link, unlink, load, new, remove, save, and, set, set response, and equals.

83. The system of claim 79 wherein the process object panel comprises at least one member of a group comprising:

a decision element configured to generate at least one interrogative with at least one corresponding potential assertion from which at least one assertion may be selected as a decision;

an action element configured to identify an action to be taken in response to a selected assertion or in response to a selected output;

an input configured to identify input data needed for the decision or the action; and

an output element configured to identify an outcome of the action or the decision.

84. The system of clam 79 wherein the repository object panel comprises at least one member of a group comprising a define object, an order object, a network element object an email object, a database update object, a notification object, a run test object, a launch chat object, an open media object, an open link object, a get data object and a help link object.

85. A system for generating a performance tool comprising:

a plurality of components each having a component identification and a type;

an interrogative configured with interrogative data;

a potential assertion configured with assertion data selectable in response to the interrogative; and

a command string set corresponding to a combination of the interrogative and the selected potential assertion that when processed for execution and executed, is configured to cause selection of at least one of the components for a yield.

86. A system for determining requirements for a yield comprising:

a seeker comprising a plurality of interrogatives and a plurality of potential assertions, a selected one of the plurality of assertions corresponding to each interrogative, and configured to generate the yield as a solution based on the interrogatives and the selected assertions;

a builder configured to build the seeker; and

a catalyst configured to operate the seeker to generate the interrogatives and the potential assertions and to receive the selected assertions to generate the yield.