Guided Row Insertion in Decision Tables

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing decision table management systems in enterprise decision management (EDM) face challenges in efficiently inserting new configuration rows without introducing inactive or redundant rows, particularly in sparse decision tables where rows are not mutually exclusive.

Innovation Solution

A method is introduced to determine an insertion interval for a new row in a decision table by using the SUBSUMES operator to compare the new row with existing rows, ensuring that the new row is inserted at a valid position that maintains the relevance of existing rows.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual row insertion is performed in sparse decision tables, then user flexibility is improved, but the risk of inserting inactive or redundant rows increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser flexibilityVSAvoidrow activation status

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis of the insertion position by comparing the new row against existing rows using the SUBSUMES operator before allowing insertion. This preliminary check ensures that the new row will not be subsumed by existing rows (which would make it inactive), thereby preventing inactive row insertion while maintaining user flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback to users about valid insertion positions by analyzing the decision table structure and indicating where new rows can be inserted without creating redundancy or inactivity. This feedback mechanism guides users to appropriate insertion points, maintaining both flexibility and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If comprehensive row validation is performed before insertion, then the accuracy of decision table management is improved, but the processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedecision table management accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The validation logic is extracted as a separate, reusable SUBSUMES operator that can be applied independently to individual rows. This modular approach allows for efficient validation by comparing only the necessary conditions and actions, reducing processing time while maintaining comprehensive accuracy checks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Quantity of substance

If the decision table maintains dense structure with mutually exclusive rows, then coverage of the whole space is improved, but the complexity of determining insertion positions increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverow coverageVSAvoidinsertion position determination

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of trying to determine where a new row should go by analyzing its position relative to all existing rows, the system inverts the approach by using the SUBSUMES operator to identify which existing rows (if any) would subsume the new row. This inversion simplifies the insertion position determination process while maintaining comprehensive coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS12314867B2Guided row insertion

Publication Date: 2025.05.27 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

Methods, computer program products, and systems are presented. The methods computer program products, and systems can include, for instance: determining an insertion interval of a row for insertion into a decision table; and guiding insertion of the row for insertion into the decision table based on a result of the determining.