Method of generating a graphical display of a business rule with a translation

• US 7,689,442 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2002
• Issued: 03/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Computer Sciences Corporation (DXC Technology Company)
• Original Assignee: Computer Science Corporation
• Inventors: Spann, Allison W., Childress, Allen B.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Connor; Gerald J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Najarian; Lena
• Application Number:
  US10/285,338
• Publication Number:
  US 20040088197A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,707 Days
• Field of Search: 705/4, 704/2
• US Class Current: 705/4
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance

Abstract

Methods, systems and carrier media for viewing business rules are disclosed. Components of the business rules may be stored as entries in one or more database tables. A rule editor may access business rule components and assemble the components to form a graphical display of a business rule. The graphical display may allow the user to view, edit and/or create business rules. In some embodiments, one or more human language translations of one or more business rule components may be provided. A human language translation may be substituted for a business rule component in the graphical display.

Claims

1. A method of generating a graphical display of a business rule, comprising:

providing a plurality of business rule components for one or more business rules, the business rule components comprising one or more business rule program instructions for at least a first one of the business rules, one or more business rule variables for at least the first one of the business rules, and one or more business rule parameters for at least the first one of the business rules, wherein the business rule variables represent variables in program code for the business rules, wherein the business rule parameters represent fixed values in program code for the business rules;

providing one or more human language translations of at least one of the business rule program instructions for at least the first one of the business rules, and providing one or more human language translations of at least one of the business rule parameters for at least the first one of the business rules;

providing business rule structure information, wherein the business rule structure information specifies an arrangement of a plurality of business rule components to form at least a portion of at least the first one of the business rules;

a computer system generating a graphical display of a first view comprising two or more of the business rule components of at least the first one of the business rules according to the specified arrangement, the displayed business rule components comprising one or more of the program instructions for at least the first one of the business rules, one or more of the business rule variables for at least the first one of the business rules, and one or more of the business rule parameters for at least the first one of the business rules; and

the computer system generating, in response to a request of a user, a graphical display of a second view in lieu of the first view, the second view comprising at least a portion of the first one of the business rules, wherein the computer system generating the graphical display of the second view in lieu of the first view comprises;

accessing, in response to a request of a user, at least one of the one or more human language translations of the program instructions for at least the first one of the business rules and at least one of the one or more human language translations of the business rule parameters for at least the first one of the business rules, at least one of the accessed human language translations comprising a paraphrase or explanation of the purpose, meaning or effect corresponding to at least one of the program instructions, business rule variables, or business rule parameters of at least the first one of the business rules; and

displaying in the second view the two or more business rule components of at least the first one of the business rules according to the specified arrangement used to generate the graphical display of the first view, except that at least one of the human language translations of the program instructions for at least the first one of the business rules is substituted in the display in place of a corresponding one of the program instructions for at least the first one of the business rules that was displayed in the first view, and at least one of the human language translations of the business rule parameters for at least the first one of the business rules is substituted in the display in place of a corresponding one of the business rule parameters of at least the first one of the business rules that was displayed in the first view;

wherein, in both the first view and the second view, the two or more business rule components of at least the first one of the business rules are displayed according to the specified arrangement for the first one of the business rules.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein a plurality of human language translations of at least one of the business rule components are provided, wherein at least two of the human language translations are in different languages.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one human language translation of at least one business rule component comprises at least one human language word that at least approximately describes a meaning of at least one business rule component.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one human language translation of at least one business rule component comprises at least one human language word that at least approximately describes an effect of at least one business rule component.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one human language translation of at least one business rule component comprises at least one human language word that at least approximately describes a purpose of at least one business rule component.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the business rule structure information comprises at least one reference to at least one business rule component.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the business rule structure information comprises at least one reference to at least one business rule component and an arrangement of at least one referenced business rule component in the business rule.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one business rule component comprises at least one reference to at least one other business rule component.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein providing a plurality of business rule components comprises providing at least one database table comprising a plurality of business rule components.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the graphical display of at least a portion of at least one business rule comprises generating a graphical representation of at least a portion of business rule source code.

11. The method of claim 1, generating the graphical display of at least a portion of at least one business rule comprises generating a graphical representation of at least a portion of a business rule script.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more human language translations are accessed and displayed in response to a user selecting a tab on the graphical display.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein, in the second view, one or more of the business rule variables displayed in the first view for at least the first one of the business rules are replaced by corresponding human language translations.

18. The method claim 1, wherein the graphical display of the first view is generated by a user selecting a first tab, wherein the graphical display of the second view is generated by a user selecting a second tab, and wherein the first and second view have the same graphical display arrangement except the second view comprises human translations displayed in place of one or more business rule program instructions and one or more business rule parameters displayed in the first view.

12. A method, comprising:

providing a plurality of database entries comprising a plurality of business rule components for one or more business rules, the business rule components comprising one or more business rule program instructions for at least a first one of the business rules, one or more business rule variables for at least the first one of the business rules, and one or more business rule parameters for at least the first one of the business rules, wherein the business rule variables represent variables in program code for the business rules, wherein the business rule parameters represent fixed values in program code for the business rules;

providing one or more human language translations of at least one of the business rule program instructions for at least the first one of the business rules, and providing one or more human language translations of at least one of the business rule parameters for at least the first one of the business rules;

accessing at least one first business rule component of the first one of the business rules, wherein at least one first business rule component comprises at least one reference to at least one second business rule component;

accessing one or more human language translations of at least one second business rule component of the first one of the business rules;

a computer system generating a graphical display of a first view comprising two or more of the business rule components of at least the first one of the business rules according to a specified arrangement, the displayed business rule components comprising one or more of the program instructions for at least the first one of the business rules, one or more of the business rule variables for at least the first one of the business rules, and one or more of the business rule parameters for at least the first one of the business rules; and

the computer system generating, in response to a request of a user, a graphical display of a second view in lieu of the first view, the second view comprising at least a portion of at least the first one of the business rules, wherein the computer system generating the graphical display of the second view in lieu of the first view comprises;

accessing, in response to a request of a user, at least one of the one or more human language translations of the program instructions for at least the first one of the business rules and at least one of the one or more human language translations of the business rule parameters for at least the first one of the business rules, at least one of the accessed human language translations comprising a paraphrase or explanation of the purpose, meaning or effect corresponding to at least one of the program instructions, business rule variables, or business rule parameters of at least the first one of the business rules; and

displaying in the second view the two or more business rule components of at least the first one of the business rules according to the specified arrangement used to generate the graphical display of the first view, except that at least one of the human language translations of the program instructions for at least the first one of the business rules is substituted in the display in place of a corresponding one of the program instructions of at least the first one of the business rules that was displayed in the first view, and at least one of the human language translations of the business rule parameters for at least the first one of the business rules is substituted in the display in place of a corresponding one of the business rule parameters of at least the first one of the business rules that was displayed in the first view;

wherein, in both the first view and the second view, the two or more business rule components of at least the first one of the business rules are displayed according to the specified arrangement for the first one of the business rules.

13. A computer readable storage medium comprising program instructions stored thereon, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to implement a method comprising:

accessing a plurality of business rule components for one or more business rules, the business rule components comprising one or more business rule program instructions for at least a first one of the business rules, one or more business rule variables for at least the first one of the business rules, and one or more business rule parameters for at least the first one of the business rules, wherein the business rule variables represent variables in program code for the business rules, wherein the business rule parameters represent fixed values in program code for the business rules;

accessing one or more human language translations of at least one of the business rule program instructions for at least the first one of the business rules, and providing one or more human language translations of at least one of the business rule parameters for at least the first one of the business rules;

accessing business rule structure information, wherein the business rule structure information specifies an arrangement of a plurality of business rule components to form at least a portion of at least the first one of the business rules;

generating a graphical display of a first view comprising two or more of the business rule components of at least the first one of the business rules according to the specified arrangement, the displayed business rule components comprising one or more of the program instructions for at least the first one of the business rules, one or more of the business rule variables for at least the first one of the business rules, and one or more of the business rule parameters for at least the first one of the business rules; and

generating, in response to a request of a user, a graphical display of a second view in lieu of the first view, the second view comprising at least a portion of at least the first one of the business rules, wherein generating the graphical display of the second view in lieu of the first view comprises;

accessing, in response to a request of a user, at least one of the one or more human language translations of the program instructions for at least the first one of the business rules and at least one of the one or more human language translations of the business rule parameters for at least the first one of the business rules, at least one of the accessed human language translations comprising a paraphrase or explanation of the purpose, meaning or effect corresponding to at least one of the program instructions, business rule variables, or business rule parameters of at least the first one of the business rules; and

displaying in the second view the two or more business rule components of at least the first one of the business rules according to the specified arrangement used to generate the graphical display of the first view, except that at least one of the human language translations of the program instructions for at least the first one of the business rules is substituted in the display in place of a corresponding one of the program instructions, for at least the first one of the business rules that was displayed in the first view, and at least one of the human language translations of the business rule parameters for at least the first one of the business rules is substituted in the display in place of a corresponding one of the business rule parameters of at least the first one of the business rules that was displayed in the first view;

wherein, in both the first view and the second view, the two or more business rule components of at least the first one of the business rules are displayed according to the specified arrangement for the first one of the business rules.

14. A graphical display formed on a computer system by a method comprising:

accessing a plurality of business rule components for one or more business rules in a memory of the computer system, the plurality of business rule components comprising one or more business rule program instructions for at least a first one of the business rules, one or more business rule variables for at least the first one of the business rules, and one or more business rule parameters for at least the first one of the business rules, wherein the business rule variables represent variables in program code for the business rules, wherein the business rule parameters represent fixed values in program code for the business rules;

accessing one or more human language translations of at least one of the business rule program instructions for at least the first one of the business rules, and providing one or more human language translations of at least one of the business rule parameters for at least the first one of the business rules;

determining business rule structure information based on one or more business rule components, wherein the business rule structure information comprises an arrangement of a plurality of business rule components to form at least a portion of at least the first one of the business rules; and

generating a graphical display of a first view comprising two or more of the business rule components of at least the first one of the business rules according to the specified arrangement, the displayed business rule components comprising one or more of the program instructions for at least the first one of the business rules, one or more of the business rule variables for at least the first one of the business rules, and one or more of the business rule parameters for at least the first one of the business rules; and

generating, in response to a request of a user, a graphical display of a second view in lieu of the first view, the second view comprising at least a portion of the first one of the business rules, wherein generating the graphical display of the second view in lieu of the first view comprises;

accessing, in response to a request of a user, at least one of the one or more human language translations of the program instructions for at least the first one of the business rules and at least one of the one or more human language translations of the business rule parameters for at least the first one of the business rules, at least one of the accessed human language translations comprising a paraphrase or explanation of the purpose, meaning or effect corresponding to at least one of the program instructions, business rule variables, or business rule parameters of at least the first one of the business rules; and

displaying in the second view the two or more business rule components of at least the first one of the business rules according to the specified arrangement used to generate the graphical display of the first view, except that at least one of the human language translations of the program instructions for at least the first one of the business rules is substituted in the display in place of a corresponding one of the program instructions for at least the first one of the business rules that was displayed in the first view, and at least one of the human language translations of the business rule parameters for at least the first one of the business rules is substituted in the display in place of a corresponding one of the business rule parameters of at least the first one of the business rules that was displayed in the first view;

wherein, in both the first view and the second view, the two or more business rule components of at least the first one of the business rules are displayed according to the specified arrangement for the first one of the business rules.

15. A graphical display formed on a computer system by a method comprising:

accessing at least one first business rule component for one or more business rules in a memory of the computer system, wherein at least one first business rule component comprises at least one reference to at least one second business rule component, the at least one business rule component comprising one or more business rule program instructions for at least a first one of the business rules, one or more business rule variables for at least the first one of the business rules, and one or more business rule parameters for at least the first one of the business rules, wherein the business rule variables represent variables in program code for the business rules, wherein the business rule parameters represent fixed values in program code for the business rules;

accessing one or more human language translations of at least one of the business rule program instructions for at least the first one of the business rules, and providing one or more human language translations of at least one of the business rule parameters for at least the first one of the business rules;

accessing business rule structure information, wherein the business rule structure information specifies an arrangement of a plurality of business rule components to form at least a portion of at least one business rule;

generating a graphical display of a first view comprising two or more of the business rule components of at least the first one of the business rules according to the specified arrangement, the displayed business rule components comprising one or more of the program instructions for at least the first one of the business rules, one or more of the business rule variables for at least the first one of the business rules, and one or more of the business rule parameters for at least the first one of the business rules; and

generating, in response to a request of a user, a graphical display of a second view in lieu of the first view, the second view comprising at least a portion of the first one of the business rules, wherein generating the graphical display of the second view in lieu of the first view comprises;

accessing, in response to a request of a user, at least one of the one or more human language translations of the program instructions for at least the first one of the business rules and at least one of the one or more human language translations of the business rule parameters for at least the first one of the business rules, at least one of the accessed human language translations comprising a paraphrase or explanation of the purpose, meaning or effect corresponding to at least one of the program instructions, business rule variables, or business rule parameters of at least the first one of the business rules; and

displaying in the second view the two or more business rule components of at least the first one of the business rules according to the specified arrangement used to generate the graphical display of the first view, except that at least one of the human language translations of the program instructions for at least the first one of the business rules is substituted in the display in place of a corresponding one of the program instructions for at least the first one of the business rules that was displayed in the first view, and at least one of the human language translations of the business rule parameters for at least the first one of the business rules is substituted in the display in place of a corresponding one of the business rule parameters of at least the first one of the business rules that was displayed in the first view;

wherein, in both the first view and the second view, the two or more business rule components of at least the first one of the business rules are displayed according to the specified arrangement for the first one of the business rules.