Method and apparatus for displaying and interacting with hierarchical information and time varying rule priority

Abstract

A graphical interaction and authoring system is provided that combines textual and graphical information to display hierarchical information via an interactive visual mechanism for the composition and manipulation of syntactic structures, enabling business users to view, operate, and compose information in a way that not only graphically preserves the structure of the syntax, but also maintains the relationship of the expression. The system provides a way for the users to interact with it dynamically and effectively.

1 . A method for authoring rule sets, the method comprising: 
 using a graphical interface to create at least one rule for inclusion in a rule set containing a plurality of rules, the graphical interface capable of illustrating logical syntax and precedence rules among operators and operands in the rule in an environment that is intuitive and conceptual for rule authors.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of using the graphical interface comprises using nested boxes to illustrate the logical syntax and precedence rules.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the nested boxes comprise expandable boxes.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the step of using nested boxes comprises using color-keyed nested boxes.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the step of using the graphical interface comprises providing at least one list of pre-defined operators and operands.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing a plurality of reusable blocks comprising pre-defined logical expressions.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising manipulating the plurality of reusable blocks within the graphical interface to create the desired rule.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing feedback regarding the interrelation of operators and operands in the rule during creation of the rule.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising associating a priority with each rule in the rule set.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising modifying the priority associated with at least one rule in a graphical environment.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of modifying the priority comprises displaying a graphical representation of the associated priority versus a second variable and manipulating the graphical representation manually.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising generating an updated priority for association with the rule based upon the manipulated graphical representation.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the step of displaying a graphical representation comprises displaying a two-dimensional graphical representation of the associated priority versus the second variable.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of modifying the priority comprises displaying graphical representations of the associated priority versus a second variable for all rules in the rule set simultaneously and manipulating the graphical representation of at least one rule manually.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising generating an updated priority for each manipulated graphical representation.  
   
   
       16 . A method for authoring rule sets, the method comprising: 
 modifying a priority associated with at least one rule in the rule set using a graphical environment.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the step of modifying the priority comprises displaying a graphical representation of the associated priority versus a second variable and manipulating the graphical representation manually.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising generating an updated priority for association with the rule based upon the manipulated graphical representation.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the step of displaying a graphical representation comprises displaying a two-dimensional graphical representation of the associated priority versus the second variable.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the step of modifying the priority comprises displaying graphical representations of the associated priorities versus a second variable for all rules in the rule set simultaneously and manipulating the graphical representation of at least one rule manually.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising generating an updated priority for each manipulated graphical representation.  
   
   
       22 . A method for authoring rule sets, the method comprising: 
 using a graphical interface to create a plurality of distinct rules for inclusion in a rule set containing a plurality of rules, the graphical user interface capable of illustrating logical syntax and precedence among operators and operands in the rule in an environment that is intuitive and conceptual for users;    associating a priority with each rule in the rule set; and    displaying graphical representations of the associated priority versus a second variable for all rules in the rule set simultaneously and manipulating the graphical representation of at least one rule manually.    
   
   
       23 . A computer readable medium containing a computer executable code that when read by a computer causes the computer to perform a method for authoring rule sets, the method comprising: 
 using a graphical interface to create at least one rule for inclusion in a rule set containing a plurality of rules, the graphical interface capable of illustrating logical syntax and precedence rules among operators and operands in the rule in an environment that is intuitive and conceptual for rule authors.    
   
   
       24 . The computer readable medium of  claim 23 , wherein the step of using the graphical interface comprises using nested boxes to illustrate the logical syntax and precedence rules.  
   
   
       25 . The computer readable medium of  claim 24 , wherein the step of using the graphical interface comprises providing at least one list of pre-defined operators and operands.  
   
   
       26 . The computer readable medium of  claim 23 , further comprising providing a plurality of reusable blocks comprising pre-defined logical expressions and manipulating the plurality of reusable blocks within the graphical interface to create the desired rule.  
   
   
       27 . The computer readable medium of  claim 23 , further comprising providing feedback regarding the interrelation of operators and operands in the rule during creation of the rule.  
   
   
       28 . The computer readable medium of  claim 23 , further comprising associating a priority with each rule in the rule set and modifying the priority associated with at least one rule in a graphical environment.  
   
   
       29 . The computer readable medium of  claim 28 , wherein the step of modifying the priority comprises displaying a graphical representation of the associated priority versus a second variable and manipulating the graphical representation manually.  
   
   
       30 . The computer readable medium of  claim 29 , further comprising generating an updated priority for association with the rule based upon the manipulated graphical representation.  
   
   
       31 . The computer readable medium of  claim 29 , wherein the step of displaying a graphical representation comprises displaying a two-dimensional graphical representation of the associated priority versus the second variable.  
   
   
       32 . The computer readable medium of  claim 28 , wherein the step of modifying the priority comprises displaying graphical representations of the associated priority versus a second variable for all rules in the rule set simultaneously and manipulating the graphical representation of at least one rule manually.