Entity Lifecycle Management via Status Propagation Rules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing entity management systems lack a flexible and consistent approach to track and manage entities throughout their lifecycle, particularly across different stages and environments, leading to inconsistencies and inefficiencies in handling variations in lifecycle changes.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for generic lifecycle management of entities using a ruleset that defines fundamental statuses and propagates status changes across a hierarchy, allowing for flexible and consistent management by referencing status identifiers stored in a database and applying predefined rules to propagate changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional entity management system is used to track entities throughout their lifecycle, then basic tracking functionality is provided, but the system lacks flexibility to accommodate variations in lifecycle changes across different stages and environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal status framework where a finite set of fundamental statuses (e.g., CREATED, ACTIVE, INACTIVE, DELETED) applies across all entity types and lifecycle stages. This universal approach allows the same status definitions to be reused throughout the entire entity lifecycle from construction to expiration, eliminating the need for separate tracking mechanisms for different stages while maintaining adaptability through status propagation rules
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the entity lifecycle management into discrete status states that can be independently defined and managed. By dividing the continuous lifecycle into distinct status segments (with specific status identifiers stored in a database), the system can apply different management approaches to different stages while maintaining overall consistency. The segmentation allows for granular control over status transitions and propagation at different hierarchy levels
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate tracking approaches are used for different lifecycle stages, then specific stage requirements are met, but consistency and uniformity across the entire entity lifetime are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing status propagation rules to be customized at different hierarchy levels while maintaining the same fundamental status definitions. Each entity or hierarchy level can have specific propagation rules that determine how status changes are communicated to related entities, enabling local adaptation to specific stage requirements while preserving global consistency through the unified status framework. For example, a CHILD_ENTITY may propagate status changes differently than a PARENT_ENTITY depending on the specific lifecycle stage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes by transitioning entities between discrete status states (e.g., from CREATED to ACTIVE to INACTIVE). Each status represents a specific parameter state of the entity lifecycle, and transitions between statuses are governed by defined rules. This parameter-based approach maintains consistency by using the same status parameters across all entities while allowing flexible adaptation through different propagation behaviors at different stages
3Adaptability or versatility
If custom lifecycle management is implemented for each entity type, then specific entity requirements are satisfied, but development efforts and cost of ownership increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces development efforts by providing a universal status management framework that can be applied to any entity type without custom implementation. The same status definitions (CREATED, ACTIVE, INACTIVE, DELETED) and propagation mechanisms serve all entities throughout their lifecycle, eliminating the need to develop separate lifecycle management systems for different entity types. This universal approach significantly lowers the true cost of ownership while maintaining the ability to handle entity-specific requirements through configurable propagation rules
Data Source
AI summary
Lifecycle of an entity residing within a hierarchy, may be managed according to corresponding status identifiers of a ruleset referenced by an engine. At design time, particular embodiments determine a finite set of fundamental statuses common to the entities, and covering the full lifecycle of each entity. A ruleset is created comprising rules accounting for each change in the status of the entity over its lifetime within the hierarchy. The status may be indicated by status identifiers, that in some embodiments are stored within a database. During runtime, an engine receives information from the entity. The engine references the ruleset including the status identifier information, and then propagates the status change of the entity to other entities in the same or different hierarchy levels based upon the ruleset. In this manner, the lifecycle of an entity within a hierarchy can be managed according to its status.