Systems and methods for defining executable sequences to process information from a data collection

• US 7,174,342 B1
• Filed: 08/09/2001
• Issued: 02/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Teradata US, Inc. (Teradata Corporation)
• Original Assignee: NCR Corporation
• Inventors: Barton, Neil, Scheurich, Larry, Demarest, Marc, Ehrler, Kurt, Bonaventura, Michael, Halvorson, Eric
• Primary Examiner(s): Corrielus; Jean M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ly; Anh
• Application Number:
  US09/925,103
• Time in Patent Office: 2,007 Days
• Field of Search: 707 1- 10, 707100-1041, 345/346, 345/340, 345/347, 705/10, 705 26- 27, 705/1
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2425 Iterative querying; Query formulation based on the results of a preceding query
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2428 Query predicate definition using graphical user interfaces, including menus and forms G06F16/2423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/25 Integrating or interfacing systems involving database management systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99934 Query formulation, input preparation, or translation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing

Abstract

Information can be collected, processed, and distributed in a variety of ways to support a decision-making process. A query-analyze-distribute approach can be used, and queries, analysis directives, and distribution directives can be associated into a sequence and shared. Access to interim processing is provided. Query, analysis, and distribution directives can be stored in unbound format and tailored to a particular situation via binding. The query, analysis, and distribution processing can be loosely-coupled to allow easy interchange and combination of sequence elements. A sequence can be scheduled for periodic execution, and distribution can be tailored based on filters and exceptions. A decision-making process can be automated by creating an executable workflow. The environment in which the workflow is executed can support a rich set of features, including gating, branching, drill down, and execution tracking. A decision-making process based on a sequence can be refined by employing executable metasequences.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for presenting a user interface for construction of an executable sequence to automate a decision-making process based on a collection of data, the method comprising:

displaying representations in the user interface of a plurality of discrete executable directives encapsulating their respective logic associated with the decision-making process, wherein at least one of the discrete executable directives defines a query against the collection of data, at least one of the discrete executable directives defines an analysis directive to analyze information derived from the query, and at least one of the discrete executable directives defines a distribution directive to distribute information based on analysis performed by the analysis directive; and

accepting user input to assemble a set of the discrete executable directives into a schedulable executable sequence, wherein at least one of the discrete executable directives is selected from a menu, and wherein the executable sequence comprises;

at least one discrete executable directive defining a query against the collection of data,

followed at some time by at least one discrete executable analysis directive operable to analyze information derived from the at least one discrete executable directive defining the query, and

followed at some time by at least one discrete executable distribution directive operable to distribute information based on analysis performed by the at least one discrete executable analysis directive.

2. A computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions for performing the method of claim 1.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the executable sequence is operable to distribute results of interim processing.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the executable sequence is operable to generate a targeted personal notification.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the executable sequence is operable to distribute a presentation of information comprising displayed elements, wherein a recipient of the presentation of information can drill down to detail not shown in the presentation by activating one of the displayed elements.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the analysis directive comprises a filter.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the analysis directive comprises arbitrary executable code entered at sequence definition time.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the analysis directives is operable to analyze a user'"'"'s reaction to information distributed by at least one of the distribution directives.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the analysis directives is operable to determine whether a user acknowledged information distributed by at least one of the distribution directives.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the analysis directives is operable to determine whether a user concurred with an identification of a root cause of a problem in information distributed by at least one of the distribution directives.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the analysis directives is operable to present a recommended course of action to resolve a problem.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the analysis directives is operable to determine whether a user complied with a recommended course of action to resolve a problem.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one distribution directive is operable to distribute information to a wireless device.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one distribution directive is operable to distribute information via email.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one distribution directive is operable to distribute information via a web page.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein the sequence comprises at least one gate.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein lineage of the sequence is tracked to indicate one or more sequences on which the sequence is based.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the directives is pluggable.

19. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

executing the sequence, wherein during execution of the sequence, responsive to detecting a plurality of inputs to an analysis directive, instantiating multiple instances of the analysis directive for accepting the inputs.

20. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one discrete executable directive defining a query against the collection of data is followed immediately in the executable sequence by the at least one discrete executable analysis directive, and the at least one discrete executable analysis directive is followed immediately in the executable sequence by the at least one discrete executable distribution directive.

21. A computer-implemented method of presenting a user interface for creating executable sequences from processing directives, the method comprising:

presenting a first display area comprising graphical representations of available processing directives, wherein at least one of processing directives is selected from a menu, and wherein the processing directives comprise query directives, analysis directives, and distribution directives;

presenting a second display area comprising graphical representations of processing directives selected as included in the executable sequence;

depicting coupled processing directives as graphically linked and conditionally coupled processing directives as graphically linked with a depiction of a condition associated with the link;

accepting a drag and drop operation to drop a processing directive from the first display area into the second display area; and

responsive to the drag and drop operation, adding the processing directive to the executable sequence, wherein the executable sequence comprises at least one query directive, at least one analysis directive, and at least one distribution directive.

22. A computer-based system for presenting a user interface for construction of an executable sequence to automate a decision-making process based on a collection of data, the system comprising:

a user interface element for accepting user input to configure a plurality of discrete executable directives encapsulating their respective logic associated with the decision-making process, wherein at least one of the discrete executable directives defines a query against the collection of data, at least one of the discrete executable directives defines an analysis directive to analyze information derived from the query, and at least one of the discrete executable directives defines a distribution directive to distribute information based on the analysis; and

a user interface element for associating the plurality of discrete executable directives into an executable sequence, wherein at least one of the discrete executable directives is selected from a menu, and wherein the executable sequence comprises at least one query against the collection of data,

followed by at least one analysis directive operable to analyze information derived from the at least one query,

followed by at least one distribution directive operable to distribute information based on the at least one analysis directive.

23. The system of claim 22 further comprising:

a repository for storing configuration of the executable sequence.

24. The system of claim 23 further comprising:

a sequence executer operable to access the repository and execute the sequence.