Method and apparatus for displaying and interacting with hierarchical information and time varying rule priority

• US 7,734,628 B2
• Filed: 07/03/2008
• Issued: 06/08/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: X Corp. (f/k/a Twitter, Inc.) (X Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Kerr, Charles Albert, Matchen, Paul Michael, Greene, Sharon L, Chan, Hoi Yeung
• Primary Examiner(s): Fleurantin; Jean B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MYINT, DENNIS Y
• Application Number:
  US12/167,769
• Publication Number:
  US 20080262983A1
• Time in Patent Office: 705 Days
• Field of Search: 707/101, 707/102
• US Class Current: 707/737
• CPC Class Codes: G06N 5/04 Inference or reasoning models

Abstract

A graphical interaction and authoring system is provided that combines textual and graphical information to display hierarchical information via an interactive visual mechanism for the composition and manipulation of syntactic structures, enabling business users to view, operate, and compose information in a way that not only graphically preserves the structure of the syntax, but also maintains the relationship of the expression. The system provides a way for the users to interact with it dynamically and effectively.

Claims

1. A method for authoring rule sets, the method comprising:

using a graphical interface to create at least one rule for inclusion in a rule set containing a plurality of rules, the graphical interface capable of illustrating logical syntax and precedence rules among operators and operands in the rule;

displaying a single graph comprising a plurality of curves, each curve representing a priority function associated with one of the rules; and

manually manipulating one or more of the curves within the single graph to change the associated priority function.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of using the graphical interface comprises using nested boxes to illustrate the logical syntax and precedence rules.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the nested boxes comprise expandable boxes.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of using nested boxes comprises using color-keyed nested boxes.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of using the graphical interface comprises providing at least one list of pre-defined operators and operands.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a plurality of reusable blocks comprising pre-defined logical expressions.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising manipulating the plurality of reusable blocks within the graphical interface to create the desired rule.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing feedback regarding the interrelation of operators and operands in the rule during creation of the rule.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising associating a priority with each rule in the rule set.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising modifying the priority associated with at least one rule.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of displaying the single graph comprises displaying a graphical representation of the associated priority versus a second variable.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising generating an updated priority for association with the rule based upon the manipulated curve.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of displaying a graphical representation comprises displaying a two-dimensional graphical representation of the associated priority versus the second variable.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating an updated priority function for each manipulated curve.

15. A method for authoring rule sets, the method comprising:

modifying a priority associated with at least one rule in the rule set using a graphical environment by displaying a single graph comprising a plurality of curves, each curve representing a priority function associated with one of the rules in the rule set; and

manually manipulating one of the curves within the single graph to change the associated priority function.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of displaying the single graph comprises displaying a graphical representation of the associated priority versus a second variable.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising generating an updated priority for association with the rule based upon the manipulated curve.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of displaying a graphical representation comprises displaying a two-dimensional graphical representation of the associated priority versus the second variable.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising generating an updated priority function for each manipulated curve.

20. A method for authoring rule sets, the method comprising:

using a graphical interface to create a plurality of distinct rules for inclusion in a rule set containing a plurality of rules, the graphical user interface capable of illustrating logical syntax and precedence among operators and operands in the rule;

associating a priority with each rule in the rule set; and

displaying in graphical representation a single graph comprising a plurality of curves, each curve representing the associated priority versus a second variable for all rules in the rule set simultaneously; and

manually manipulating one or more of the curves within the graphical representation to change the associated priority versus the second variable.

21. A computer readable medium containing a computer executable code that when read by a computer causes the computer to perform a method for authoring rule sets, the method comprising:

using a graphical interface to create at least one rule for inclusion in a rule set containing a plurality of rules, the graphical interface capable of illustrating logical syntax and precedence rules among operators and operands in the rule;

displaying a single graph comprising a plurality of curves, each curve representing a priority function associated with one of the rules; and

manually manipulating one or more of the curves within the single graph to change the associated priority function.

22. The computer readable medium of claim 21, wherein the step of using the graphical interface comprises using nested boxes to illustrate the logical syntax and precedence rules.

23. The computer readable medium of claim 22, wherein the step of using the graphical interface comprises providing at least one list of pre-defined operators and operands.

24. The computer readable medium of claim 21, further comprising providing a plurality of reusable blocks comprising pre-defined logical expressions and manipulating the plurality of reusable blocks within the graphical interface to create the desired rule.

25. The computer readable medium of claim 21, further comprising providing feedback regarding the interrelation of operators and operands in the rule during creation of the rule.

26. The computer readable medium of claim 21, further comprising associating a priority with each rule in the rule set and modifying the priority associated with at least one rule.

27. The computer readable medium of claim 21, further comprising generating an updated priority for association with each rule based upon the manipulated graphical representation.

28. The computer readable medium of claim 21, wherein the step of displaying a graphical representation comprises displaying a two-dimensional graphical representation of the associated priority versus the second variable.