Universal software architecture for decision support

• US 8,170,980 B1
• Filed: 10/10/2003
• Issued: 05/01/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Government Of The United States As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy
• Original Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Inventors: Croft, Bryan L., Lulue, Daniel L., Osga, Glenn A., Acantilado, Neil P., Lam, Jimmy C., Carlin, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chaki, Kakali
• Assistant Examiner(s): COUGHLAN, PETER D
• Application Number:
  US10/683,250
• Time in Patent Office: 3,126 Days
• Field of Search: 706/1, 706/15, 706/45, 706/61, 700/1, 700/90, 705/14
• US Class Current: 706/61
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/063 Operations research, analysis or management

Abstract

A universal software architecture for decision support includes an n-tiered architecture for building a universal task and workload management software system. The design incorporates a connectivity tier for activating a data object representative of application specific data; a management tier for activating a workflow object in response to both the data object and application specific rules; and a presentation tier for providing a user with decision support elements responsive to said workflow object. The design may also incorporate a corporate tier for providing the application specific data and rules.

Claims

1. A computer program product (CPP) utilizing a distributed computing architecture for supporting user supervision of an automated computing system, said CPP comprising:

a machine-readable recording medium;

first instruction means, recorded on said medium, for directing said automated computer system to initiate a connectivity tier for activating a data object representative of application specific data, said data object being an object-oriented abstraction of the application specific data;

second instruction means, recorded on said medium, for directing said automated computer system to initiate a management tier, coupled to said connectivity tier, for activating a workflow object in response to said data object and an application specific rule, said workflow object being an object-oriented abstraction of activities involved in performing an assigned task, said workflow object including a context, a goal, and a sequence of actions required to accomplish the goal;

third instruction means, recorded on said medium, for directing said automated computer system to initiate a presentation tier, coupled to said management tier, for providing a user with a decision support elements responsive to said workflow object and user input, said presentation tier including a plurality of client objects for presenting the decision support elements to users; and

fourth instruction means, recorded on said medium, for directing said automated computer system to initiate a corporate tier, coupled to said connectivity tier, for providing said application specific data and said application specific rule.

2. The CPP, as in claim 1, wherein said client objects include client task management objects, client workload monitor objects, decision support components, and situational awareness components.

3. The CPP, as in claim 1, wherein said instruction means further direct said automated computer system to:

initialize a workflow entity in response to application specific system requirements;

activate a workflow object in response to said application specific data and an application specific rule;

assign said workflow object to one of said client objects in said presentation tier;

execute said workflow object; and

retire said workflow object for disposition.

4. The CPP, as in claim 3, wherein said workflow object is executed by said client object.

5. The CPP, as in claim 3, wherein said workflow object is executed in said management tier.

6. The CPP, as in claim 3, wherein said “

activate”

step includes instantiating and placing said workflow object in a shared object space.

7. The CPP, as in claim 3, wherein said “

assign”

step includes moving said workflow object from said shared object space to said client object.

8. The CPP, as in claim 3, wherein said “

retire”

step includes moving said task entity from said client object to said shared object space.