Graph-Based Business Rule Editing via Tabular Interface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems face challenges in simplifying the creation and implementation of business rules in a graph-based computation environment, particularly for non-technical users, as they require translation from human-readable forms to computer-executable formats.

Innovation Solution

A tool is provided that allows users to input business rules in a familiar format, such as a spreadsheet, which generates and updates transforms for graph-based computations, enabling non-technical users to create and edit rules without direct coding, using a rules editor and generator system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If business rules are implemented in a graph-based computation system using traditional methods, then the system can execute complex computations, but non-technical users find it difficult to create and edit rules due to the need for direct coding in pseudo-segments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of rule creationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a rules editor that serves as an intermediary between non-technical users and the graph-based computation system. This editor provides a simplified tabular interface that automatically translates user-friendly rule definitions into the pseudo-code segments required by the underlying computation engine, eliminating the need for users to directly write or understand complex code while maintaining system functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a simplified copy or representation of the business rules in a tabular format that is easier for non-technical users to understand and edit. This tabular representation mirrors the essential logic of the computation graph without exposing the underlying complexity, allowing users to work with a simplified model that automatically translates to the full system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Ease of operation

If business rules are edited in tabular form instead of pseudo-code segments, then ease of editing is improved for non-technical users, but the translation process adds complexity to the system architecture

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of rule editingVSAvoidtranslation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rules editor acts as a mediator layer that handles the translation from tabular form to pseudo-code automatically. This intermediary component manages the complexity of the translation process internally, providing a clean interface to users while handling the sophisticated conversion logic in the background without requiring users to understand the translation mechanics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If a rules editor with tabular interface is provided, then user-friendliness is enhanced, but the system requires additional components for rule generation and transformation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser-friendlinessVSAvoidnumber of system components
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functions into the rules editor component, including rule creation, editing, validation, and automatic code generation. By combining these previously separate functions into a single integrated editor, the system reduces the apparent number of components users must interact with while maintaining the necessary computational functionality through automated translation processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3454205B1Editing and compiling business rules
Publication Date: 2021.05.05 AB INITIO TECHNOLOGY LLC
  • EP3454205B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3454205B1 patent drawingFigure 1C
  • EP3454205B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B

AI summary

A component (136, 138, 140) in a graph-based computation (130) having data processing components connected by linking elements representing data flows is updated by receiving a rule specification (152), generating a transform (156) for transforming data based on the rule specification, associating the transform with a component in the graph-based computation, and in response to determining that a new rule specification has been received or an existing rule specification has been edited, updating the transform associated with the component in the graph-based computation according to the new or edited rule specification.