Boolean Expression Engine for Ecommerce Rule Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ecommerce systems face challenges in effectively managing and evaluating dynamic Boolean expressions, particularly in understanding the behavior and troubleshooting of complex rule sets that generate dynamically assembled web pages, which can be overwhelming for non-technical users.
Innovation Solution
A computer system that evaluates sets of Boolean expressions, allowing for the identification of overlapping expressions, modification, merging, and auditing, with a Boolean expression engine that provides an API for dynamic management and prioritization, enabling efficient evaluation and isolation of Boolean expression sets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If complex Boolean expression sets are used to manage dynamic web pages, then the system's adaptability and functionality are improved, but the complexity of understanding and troubleshooting increases for non-technical users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary evaluation system that sits between the complex Boolean expression rules and the non-technical users. This system evaluates the expressions and presents results in an understandable format, mediating the complexity gap. The intermediary translates complex rule evaluations into actionable insights about which rules are causing specific page content to be displayed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms that show users how their Boolean expression rules are being evaluated and what impact they have on the final page content. By providing feedback on rule evaluation results, the system helps non-technical users understand the behavior of complex rules without requiring them to deeply comprehend the Boolean logic themselves.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple overlapping Boolean expression sets are maintained for different purposes, then the system's versatility is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring expression behavior increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the evaluation process by treating each Boolean expression set independently while still allowing for overlap detection. The system evaluates each set separately and then combines results, making it easier to track which expressions from which sets are contributing to the final outcome. This segmentation approach maintains versatility while improving detectability.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary evaluation mechanism coordinates multiple overlapping expression sets, tracking their individual behaviors and interactions. This mediator provides a unified view of how different expression sets overlap and interact, making the behavior of complex multi-set configurations measurable and understandable.
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive Boolean expression evaluation is performed on all expressions, then the accuracy of result determination is improved, but the processing time and system resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial evaluation by focusing computational resources on evaluating only the necessary portions of Boolean expression sets. Rather than blindly evaluating every possible combination, the system identifies and evaluates only those expressions that are relevant to the current query and context, maintaining accuracy while reducing processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary indexing and organization of Boolean expressions before evaluation. By pre-processing and structuring the expression sets in advance, the system prepares data in a way that enables faster evaluation during actual queries, reducing the time cost of comprehensive evaluation while maintaining accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A system that evaluates Boolean expressions receives a first set of Boolean expressions that include one or more Boolean expressions, and receives a second set of Boolean expressions that includes one or more Boolean expressions. The system determines one or more overlapping Boolean expressions between the first set and the second set. Each Boolean expression has a corresponding identifier and priority, and two or more Boolean expressions overlap when the Boolean expressions have an identical identifier. Each set of Boolean expressions includes a corresponding index.