Rule Engine Architecture for Complex Logic and User Workflow Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rule engines face limitations in expressing complex logic, handling time/event synchronization, providing insights into rule execution, and modeling uncertainties, while also lacking the ability to effectively utilize user actions for authenticating, approving, initiating, or declining workflows.
Innovation Solution
A rule engine is configured to express complex logic, handle time/event synchronization, provide insights into rule execution, and model uncertainties, while enabling user actions to authenticate, approve, initiate, or decline certain workflows, thereby guiding end users in completing transactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rule engine is programmed to apply business rules to inputs from data sources, then agility and adaptability are improved, but the ability to express complex logic and handle time/event synchronization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the rule engine into multiple specialized components: a rule interpreter for basic rule processing, a workflow engine for complex logic, an event processor for time/event synchronization, and a logging system for insights. Each component handles specific aspects of the rule execution, allowing the system to maintain agility while managing complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a workflow engine as an intermediary layer between the simple rule interpreter and the complex business processes. This workflow engine handles complex logic and time/event synchronization by coordinating multiple rule executions and managing process flow, while the underlying rule interpreter continues to handle simple rules efficiently.
2Productivity
If a rule engine is designed for forward-chaining and reactive processing, then processing efficiency is improved, but the ability to provide insights into rule execution and model uncertainties deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a comprehensive logging system that provides feedback about rule execution. The logger captures rule evaluations, matches, executions, and workflow events, storing them in a structured format that can be analyzed for insights. This feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain efficient forward-chaining processing while simultaneously providing detailed information about rule execution for monitoring and analysis.
3Ease of manufacture
If a rule engine is programmed with simple business rules, then ease of modification by business users is improved, but the ability to handle user actions for authentication and workflow control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the rule engine with multi-functional capabilities that allow it to handle both simple business rules and complex user interaction scenarios. The workflow engine component provides universal functionality for managing user actions, authentication, and workflow control, while the rule interpreter continues to handle simple business rules. This universal design allows the system to accommodate diverse requirements without sacrificing ease of rule modification.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure enables a rule engine programmed for (i) expressing complex logic, (ii) handling time/event synchronization, (iii) providing insights into rule execution, and (iv) modeling uncertainties, while also enabling user actions to authenticate, approve, initiate, or decline certain workflows. Such configuration is technologically advantageous, because of its enablement in providing guidance to end users in completing transactions with user actions.