Capturing UI Structure for Reusable Business Rules

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Solution Overview

Problem

In model-based software systems, identifying and reusing business rules across various actions is time-consuming and challenging due to the granularity of business logic, making it difficult for design engineers to implement efficient software design.

Innovation Solution

A method is introduced to capture user interface structure and identify pattern signatures in model-based software systems, allowing for the mapping of user interface elements and events to pattern signatures, which enables the generation of device-independent service and method interfaces, facilitating the reuse of business rules across different actions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional data modeling approach is used to capture all business rules and entities, then completeness of system representation is improved, but design complexity and time consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompleteness of system representationVSAvoiddesign complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the monolithic data modeling task into distinct phases: schema design phase for structural modeling and usage phase for business rule identification and reuse. This segmentation allows each phase to focus on specific objectives, reducing overall design complexity while maintaining completeness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary schema design and data structure establishment before detailed business rule analysis. By preparing the foundational data model first, subsequent business rule identification becomes more efficient, as the structure is already in place to accommodate the rules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If detailed business rules are captured at granular level, then implementation accuracy is improved, but difficulty of identifying reusable rules increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplementation accuracyVSAvoiddifficulty of identifying reusable rules
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary layer of pattern signatures that bridge detailed business rules and reusable patterns. These signatures act as mediators that capture essential characteristics of business rules without requiring full detailed analysis, making reuse identification easier while maintaining implementation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates simplified copies or representations of business rules in the form of pattern signatures. These signatures capture the essential structure and logic of business rules in a condensed form that is easier to compare and identify for reuse, while the full detailed rules remain available for accurate implementation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If comprehensive schema design is performed, then system coverage is improved, but time consumption and effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem coverageVSAvoidtime consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides comprehensive schema design into manageable segments: core entity modeling, relationship definition, and business rule integration. This segmented approach allows the design team to cover the entire system while working on smaller, more manageable portions sequentially, reducing overall time consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent designs schema elements with universal applicability in mind, creating data structures and relationships that can serve multiple business rules and functions. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of design elements needed, thereby reducing time consumption while maintaining comprehensive system coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8819619B2Method and system for capturing user interface structure in a model based software system
Publication Date: 2014.08.26 RAMCO SYSTEMS
  • US8819619B2 patent drawing
  • US8819619B2 patent drawing
  • US8819619B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Method and system for capturing device-independent user interface structure in a model based software system are disclosed. In one embodiment, at least one entry point is received from a user by a business system. Further, a user interface corresponding to the at least one entry point is provided. Furthermore, user interface meta-data associated with the user interface is captured. Also, at least one event associated with user interface elements is identified as a response to user actions based on the captured user interface meta-data. In addition, a pattern signature is identified in the model based software system for reuse in one or more model based software systems based on an expected behavior of the user interface when the identified at least one event occurs. Then, the identified at least one event is mapped to the identified pattern signature.