Policy Configuration Interface for Rules Processing Engine

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data processing systems for customer data are inflexible and require costly, time-consuming re-programming to adapt to changing customer specifications, leading to increased costs and lack of standardization, as they rely on hardcoded processing steps that are not easily modifiable.

Innovation Solution

A flexible and modifiable rules processing engine is introduced, allowing customers to configure and modify policies through a user interface, enabling the application of various rules to customer data to determine actions or templates without vendor intervention, utilizing a policy configuration user interface that includes policy groups, determinants, and resultant specifiers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If hardcoded processing steps are used in software, then the software can execute complex calculations on large volumes of customer data, but the software becomes inflexible and requires expensive, time-consuming re-programming to adapt to changing customer specifications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility of softwareVSAvoidcomplexity of software modification

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic configurability by allowing customers to modify processing steps through a configuration interface without re-programming. The system transitions from static hardcoded logic to dynamic configurable rules, enabling real-time adaptation to changing requirements while maintaining system functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables parameter changes by allowing customers to modify processing parameters, rules, and configurations through a user interface. Instead of changing the software code structure, customers can adjust operational parameters and business rules dynamically, achieving adaptability without complexity increase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If custom software is modified to meet customer specifications, then the software can be tailored to customer needs, but the costs for software vendor and customer increase and standardization is hampered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomization capabilityVSAvoidcost of software modification

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by enabling customers to configure and modify their own processing rules through a user-friendly configuration interface. Customers can independently tailor the software to their needs without requiring vendor programmer intervention, eliminating modification costs and maintaining standardization through a common platform.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If re-programming is performed to adapt software to new specifications, then the software can accommodate changing requirements, but time is lost and vendor programmer intervention is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to change processing stepsVSAvoidtime for software modification

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring a flexible rule-based engine and configuration interface that allows customers to make changes immediately when needed. The system is designed in advance to be configurable, eliminating the time required for re-programming while maintaining the ability to adapt to new requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Productivity

If hardcoded processing logic is used, then the software can execute complex calculations efficiently, but the software lacks sophistication in handling diverse customer data processing patterns

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidsophistication of processing patterns

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by breaking down complex processing logic into discrete, configurable rules and steps that can be independently defined and modified. This segmentation allows the system to maintain processing efficiency through structured execution while achieving sophistication through customizable rule combinations and processing patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS8892530B1Policy configuration user interface

Publication Date: 2014.11.18 AMDOCS DEV LTD

AI summary

A flexible, modifiable, and sophisticated rules processing engine includes a user interface through which customers may design and modify a wide range of rules. The customer may thereby setup rules that determine any action, template, or other resultant appropriate to or for their input data. Consequently, the customer may develop sophisticated processing patterns tailored to their own input data, without the time and expense associated with obtaining a custom solution from a software vendor.