Modular UML Task Interaction Patterns for Flexible UI Generation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing UML modeling techniques lack flexibility in linking class diagrams to activity diagrams, as they rely on fixed task interaction patterns, limiting the ability to modularize steps within activity diagrams and customize user interfaces.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for generating UML activity diagrams that selectively include or omit nodes based on subtask information from the class diagram, allowing for modular construction of task interaction patterns and enhanced flexibility in user interface design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If fixed task interaction patterns are used to link class diagrams to activity diagrams, then the modeling process is simplified, but the flexibility and customizability of user interfaces is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemodeling process simplicityVSAvoiduser interface flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments task interaction patterns into modular subtask nodes that can be independently selected and configured. Instead of using fixed, monolithic interaction patterns, the system breaks down tasks into reusable subtask components that can be selectively included in activity diagrams, enabling both simplified modeling through reuse and flexible customization through selective composition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic configurability to task interaction patterns by allowing selective inclusion or omission of subtask nodes based on specific modeling needs. The system transitions from static, fixed patterns to dynamic, adaptable patterns where the composition of activity diagrams can be customized while still leveraging predefined subtask building blocks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If all subtask nodes are included in activity diagrams, then completeness of task modeling is improved, but the complexity and number of tasks required increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetask modeling completenessVSAvoidnumber of tasks

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the necessary subtask nodes from the complete set of available subtasks and includes them selectively in activity diagrams. This extraction approach allows the system to maintain completeness for required tasks while omitting unnecessary subtasks, thereby reducing overall complexity and the number of tasks that need to be managed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by including only the subset of subtask nodes that are relevant to specific modeling scenarios, rather than incorporating all possible subtasks. This selective inclusion achieves sufficient completeness for each use case without the excessive complexity of comprehensive task coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Adaptability or versatility

If modular construction of task interaction patterns is implemented, then flexibility in user interface design is improved, but the complexity of linking class diagrams to activity diagrams increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interface flexibilityVSAvoidlinking process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the linking process into manageable operations: selecting subtask nodes from class diagrams and mapping them to corresponding nodes in activity diagrams. This segmentation of the linking process into discrete, reusable subtask units simplifies the overall complexity by breaking down the mapping task into standardized, modular operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces subtask nodes as intermediary elements that facilitate the linking between class diagrams and activity diagrams. These subtask nodes serve as standardized mediators that simplify the mapping process, providing a common interface and structure that reduces the complexity of direct linking operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10732936B2Modularizing steps within a UML user model interaction pattern

Publication Date: 2020.08.04 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

User modeling facilitates use of a UML user model to define roles, goals, and tasks inside an organization, and defines how the roles, goals, and tasks relate to business entities within the organization. This information can be used to generate a user interface (UI) that facilitates management of the defined business entities within the organization. Each task defined inside the model, which may be represented as a stereotyped class in the UML class diagram, has a number of explicit steps associated with the task. These steps are outlined in UML activity diagrams and defined in a task interaction pattern. A modular approach to constructing UML activity diagram using the task interacting pattern to reduce the size of the model permits greater flexibility in generating the UI.