Graphical Rule Editor for Business Process Model Transformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for transforming business process models between different description notations, such as EPC and BPMN, are prone to errors and require technical expertise, making them inefficient and difficult for non-technical users to implement.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for graphically developing transformation rules between description notations, allowing users to create source and target patterns using graphical constructs and a transformation engine to convert models from a source description notation to a target description notation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing transformation methods are used, then model transformation between notations can be achieved, but the process is prone to errors and requires technical expertise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a graphical transformation rule editor as an intermediary tool between the user and the model transformation process. This editor provides a visual interface with drag-and-drop functionality, allowing users to define transformation rules by arranging source notation elements and target notation elements graphically, rather than writing complex transformation code. This intermediary interface significantly reduces the technical expertise required while maintaining high transformation accuracy through visual validation and predefined transformation patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of writing and debugging transformation code with a graphical user interface system. Instead of manually coding transformation logic, users interact with visual elements, drag-and-drop components, and graphical rule definitions. This substitution eliminates syntax errors, reduces cognitive load, and makes the transformation process accessible to business users without programming skills, thereby improving both ease of operation and reliability.
2Ease of operation
If graphical transformation rule editing is implemented, then ease of operation improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the transformation system into distinct modular components: a graphical user interface layer for rule editing, a transformation rule engine for processing, and a model transformation executor. The graphical editor itself is segmented into source notation workspace, target notation workspace, and transformation rule definition area. This segmentation allows the complex system to be managed through independent, well-defined modules, reducing overall system complexity while providing an accessible graphical interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The graphical transformation rule editor incorporates automatic validation, suggestion, and completion features that make the system self-serve the user. The system automatically validates graphical rule definitions, suggests appropriate transformation patterns, and handles error detection without requiring deep technical knowledge from the user. This self-service capability simplifies the user experience while the backend automatically manages the complexity of transformation logic.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are graphically developing rules for transforming models between different description notations. The transformation rules may be used to transform a model in a source description notation to a new model in a target description notation. In one embodiment, graphical constructs are provided including symbols in the source description notation and the target description notation. The constructs for the source description notation are arranged in a source pattern, and the constructs for the target description notation are arranged in a target pattern, according to user instructions. The source and target patterns are sent to a transformation engine and subsequently accessed to provide at least one transformation rule utilized by the transformation engine.