Claims :
1. A computer system for establishing a dynamic model of information systems of organizations comprising:
A. at least one information modeler including IM means for creating, analyzing and modifying an information model, said information model having IM design data representative of elements including at least one from the group consisting of attribute, entity method, attribute method, partnership set, and partnership set method, said attribute being independent of an entity;
B. at least one process modeler including IFM means for creating, analyzing, and modifying an information flow model, said information flow model having IFM design data representative of elements including at least one from the group consisting of processes, information stores, information flows, messages, views, process local stores, sources, and destinations, said IFM design data relating to at least one of said elements of said IM design data;
C. modeler linking means for dynamically correlating said information modeler and said process modeler, whereby a change to any of said IM design data affects a corresponding IM-IFM change in said IFM design data, and whereby a change to any of said IFM design data affects a corresponding IFM-IM change in said IM design data; and
D. operator means for applying external signals to said information modeler and said process modeler, said signals being effective to evoke a creating, analyzing, or modifying response from at least one of said IM means and said IFM means.
2. A computer system according to claim 1 wherein said elements of said IM design data further includes at least one from the group consisting of: entities; entity and relationship; entity and attribute; and entity, relationship, and partnership set.
3. A computer system according to claim 2 further comprising at least one logic modeler, including PDL means for defining logical operations on at least one of said IFM design data and IM design data, said logical operations being defined by PDL design data.
4. A computer system according to claim 1 wherein said information modeler further comprises means for establishing an IM display having IM display objects representative of said IM design data, including means associated with said IM display selectively operative for externally applying signals to said IM display objects, whereby an externally applied signal associated with at least one of said IM display objects affects said IM design data; and
wherein said process modeler further comprises means for establishing a IFM display having IFM display objects representative of said IFM design data, including means associated with said IFM display selectively operative for externally applying signals to said IFM display objects, whereby an externally applied signal associated with at least one of said IFM display objects affects said IFM design data.
5. A computer system according to claim 4 further comprising display linking means for dynamically correlating said IM display and said IFM display, whereby a change to any of said IM design data affects a substantially immediate corresponding change in said IFM design data, and whereby a change to any of said IFM design data affects a substantially immediate change in said IFM design data.
6. A computer system according to claim 4 wherein said IFM display establishing means further comprises process explosion (PE) means for exploding at least one of said processes of said IFM design data into zero, one or more process explosion (PE) processes; each of said PE processes including at least one of the group consisting of primitive processes and high-level (HL) processes, each of said HL processes including one of the group consisting of primitive processes and HL processes; and wherein each of said HL processes includes
HL means for creating and modifying each of said PE processes.
7. A computer system according to claim 6 wherein said PE means further includes means for establishing a PE display of at least one of said primitive processes having PE display objects representative of said IFM design data associated with said primitive process, and including means associated with said PE display selectively operative for externally applying signals to said PE display objects, whereby an externally applied signal associated with at least one of said PE display objects affects said IFM design data; and wherein said PE display is selectively displayable simultaneous with at least one of said IM display, or said IFM display.
8. A computer system according to claim 4 wherein said design data includes at least two processes, and further comprising implosion means for consolidating at least two of said processes of said design data into a process implosion (PI) process, each of said PI processes defining a high-level (HL) process.
9. A computer according to claim 8 wherein said implosion means further includes means for establishing a PI display of at least one of said HL processes, and including means associated with said PI display selectively operative for externally applying signals to said PI display, whereby an externally applied signal associated with said PI display affects said design data; and
wherein said PI display is selectively displayable simultaneous with at least one of said modeler displays.
10. A computer system according to claim 3 wherein said PDL design data is representative of at least one from the group consisting of text and tree structure diagram, and
wherein said operator means further include means for selectively displaying said text and tree structure diagrams.
11. A computer system according to claim 3 further comprising:
A. means for establishing an option modeler, having selectively operative OM means for creating, analyzing, and modifying syntactically permitted options associated with said PDL design data, said OM means including:
(i) means for storing predetermined option criteria, each of said predetermined option criteria being representative of at least one from the group consisting of semantic rules, logical relationships, expert rules, and heuristics;
(ii) means for comparing said PDL design data with said predetermined option criteria; and
(iii)means for identifying correlated PDL design data, said correlated PDL design data being ones of said PDL design data which substantially match one of said predeterimined criteria, said correlated PDL design data being representative of said syntactically permitted options;
B. means for establishing an options window having operator selectable option objects representative of said syntactically permitted options, whereby said syntactically permitted options are only ones of said PDL design data syntactically permitted at the time of establishment of said options window; and
C. means associated with said options window selectively operative for externally applying signals to said option modeler whereby an externally applied signal associated with at least one of said option objects affects said PDL design data.
12. A computer system according to claims 3 further comprising linking means for dynamically correlating said logic modeler, said information modeler and said process modeler, whereby a change to any of said PDL design data affects a corresponding PDL-IM/IFM change in said IM design data and said IFM design data, and whereby a change to any of said IM design data or said IFM design data affects a corresponding IM/IFM-PDL change in said PDL design data.
13. A computer system according to claims 3 and 12 wherein said operator means includes means for establishing at least one option facility and option objects therein, including:
means associated with said option facility selectively operative for externally applying signals to said information modeler, said process modeler, and said logic modeler whereby an externally applied signal associated with at least one of said option objects affects said IM design data, said IFM design data and said PDL design data.
14. A computer system according to claim 3 or 12 wherein said operator means includes means for establishing at least one feedback window and feedback objects therein, including:
means associated with said feedback window selectively operative to display data received from at least one of said information modeler, said process modeler, and said logic modeler.
15. A computer system according to claim 3 or 12 wherein said operator means includes means for establishing at least one diagram window and diagram objects therein, including:
means associated with said diagram window selectively operative to display data received from at least one of said information modeler, said process modeler, and said logic modeler, defining said diagram objects;
means associated with said diagram window selectively operative for externally applying signals to said diagram objects, whereby an externally applied signal associated with at least one of said diagram objects affects said IM design data, said IFM design data, and said PDL design data.
16. A computer system according to claim 3 or 12 wherein said externally applied signals have associated therewith signal values, and wherein said information modeler, said information flow modeler, and said logic modeler comprises:
means for storing predetermined values, each of said predetermined values being representative of at least one process, semantic rule, expert rule, logical relationship, heuristic, text field, or pin;
means for comparing said signal values with said predetermined value;
means for identifying uncorrelated signals, said uncorrelated signals being ones of said signal values which do not substantially match one of said predetermined values; and
means for generating flag signals representative of the identity of said uncorrelated signals.
17. A computer system according to claim 3 further comprising filter means for creating at least one from the group of subsets consisting of: an IM-subset of said information model; an IFM-subset of
5 said process model; and, a PDL-subset of said PDL design data;
each of said IM-subset, IFM-subset, and PDL-subset being defined by operator-determined 10 selection criteria, and being selected in accordance with said selection criteria from said IM design data, IFM design data, and PDL design data.
18. A computer system according to claim 17
15 wherein said filter means further comprises means for establishing an IM-subset display of said IM-subset having IM-subset display objects representative of said IM-subset, including means associated with said IM-subset display selectively operative for
20 externally applying signals to said IM-subset display objects, whereby an externally applied signal associated with at least one of said IM-subset display objects affects said information model.
25 19. A computer system according to claim 17 wherein said filter means further comprises means for establishing an IFM-subset display of said IFM-subset having IFM-subset display objects representative of said IFM-subset, including means associated with said
30 IFM-subset display selectively operative for externally applying signals to said IFM-subset display objects, whereby an externally applied signal associated with at least one of said IFM-subset display objects affects said process model. 5
20. A computer system according to claim 17 wherein said filter means further comprises means for establishing a PDL-subset display of said PDL-subset having PDL-subset display objects representative of said PDL-subset, including means associated with said PDL-subset display selectively operative for externally applying signals to said PDL-subset display objects, whereby an externally applied signal associated with at least one of said PDL-subset display objects affects said PDL design data.
21. A computer system according to claim 17 wherein said filter means further comprises:
means for establishing an IM-subset display of said IM-subset having IM-subset display objects representative of said IM-subset, including means associated with said IM-subset display selectively operative for externally applying signals to said IM-subset display objects, whereby an externally applied signal associated with at least one of said IM-subset display objects affects said information model;
means for establishing an IFM-subset display of said IFM-subset having IFM-subset display objects representative of said IFM-subset, including means associated with said IFM-subset display selectively operative for externally applying signals to said IFM-subset display objects, whereby an externally applied signal associated with at least one of said IFM-subset display objects affects said process model; and
means for establishing a PDL-subset display of said PDL-subset having PDL-subset display objects representative of said PDL-subset, including means associated with said PDL-subset display selectively operative for externally applying signals to said PDL-subset display objects, whereby an externally applied signal associated with at least one of said PDL-subset display objects affects said PDL design data.
22. A computer system according to claim 21 further comprising display linking means for dynamically correlating said IM-subset display, said IFM-subset display, and said PDL-subset display, wherein a change to any of said IM-subset design data affects a substantially immediate corresponding change in said IFM-subset design data and said PDL-subset design data, and wherein a change to any of said IFM-subset design data affects a substantially immediate corresponding change in said IM-subset design data and said PDL-subset design data, and wherein a change to any of said PDL-subset design data affects a substantially immediate corresponding change in said IM-subset design data and said IFM-subset design data.
23. A computer system according to claim 3 further comprising at least one function modeler, including FD design data representative of FD subprocesses, each of said subprocesses corresponding to at least one of said processes of said IFM design data, and having FD means for defining a hierarchy of said FD subprocesses of said IFM design data.
24. A computer system according to claim 23 further comprising filter means for creating at least one of the group of subsets consisting of: an IM-subset of said information model; an IFM-subset of said process model; an FD-subset of said function model; and, a PDL-subset of said PDL design data;
each of said IM-subset, IFM-subset, FD-subset, and PDL-subset being defined by operator-determined selection criteria, and being selected in accordance with said selection criteria from said IM design data, IFM design data, FD design data, and PDL design data.
25. A computer system according to claim 24 wherein said filter means further comprises:
means for establishing an IM-subset display of said IM-subset having IM-subset display objects representative of said IM-subset, including means associated with said IM-subset display selectively operative for externally applying signals to said IM-subset display objects, whereby an externally applied signal associated with at least one of said IM-subset display objects affects said information model;
means for establishing an IFM-subset display of said IFM-subset having IFM-subset display objects representative of said IFM-subset, including means associated with said IFM-subset display selectively operative for externally applying signals to said IFM-subset display objects, whereby an externally
applied signal associated with at least one of said IFM-subset display objects affects said process model;
means for establishing an FD-subset display of said FD-subset having FD-subset display objects representative of said FD-subset, including means associated with said FD-subset display selectively operative for externally applying signals to said FD-subset display objects, whereby an externally applied signal associated with at least one of said FD-subset display objects affects said information model; and
means for establishing a PDL-subset display of said PDL-subset having PDL-subset display objects representative of said PDL-subset, including means associated with said PDL-subset display selectively operative for externally applying signals to said PDL-subset display objects, whereby an externally applied signal associated with at least one of said PDL-subset display objects affects said PDL design data.
26. A computer system according to claim 25 further comprising display linking means for dynamically correlating said IM-subset display, said IFM-subset display, said FD-subset display, and said PDL-subset display, wherein a change to any of said IM-subset design data affects a substantially immediate corresponding change in at least one from the group consisting of said IFM-subset design data, FD-subset design data, and said PDL-subset design data.
wherein a change to any of said IFM-subset design data affects a substantially immediate corresponding change in at least one from the group consisting of said IM-subset design data, said FD-subset design data, and said PDL-subset design data, wherein a change to any of said FD-subset design data affects a substantially immediate corresponding change in at least one from the group consisting of said IM-subset design data, said
IFM-subset design data, and said PDL-subset design data, and wherein a change to any of said PDL-subset design data affects a substantially immediate corresponding change in said IM-subset design data and said IFM-subset design data.
27. A computer system according to claim 23 wherein said hierarchy is representative of at least one text or graphics, and
wherein said operator means further include means for selectively displaying said text and graphics.
28. A computer system according to claim 27 further comprising linking means for dynamically correlating said function modeler, said logic modeler and said process modeler, whereby a change to any of said FD design data affects a corresponding
FD-PDL/IFM change in said PDL design data and said IFM design data, and whereby a change to any of said PDL design data or said IFM design data affects a corresponding PDL/IFM-FD change in said FD design data.
29. A computer system according to claim 28 wherein said function modeler further comprises means for establishing a FD display having FD display objects representative of said FD design data, including means associated with said FD display selectively operative for externally applying signals to said FD display objects, whereby an externally applied signal associated with at least one of said FD display objects affects said FD design data; and
wherein said process modeler further comprises means for establishing a IFM display having IFM display objects representative of said IFM design data, including means associated with said IFM display selectively operative for externally applying signals to said IFM display objects, whereby an externally applied signal associated with at least one of said IFM display objects affects said IFM design data.
_ _
30. A computer system according to claim 29 further comprising display linking means for dynamically correlating said FD display and said IFM display, whereby a change to any of said FD design data affects a substantially immediate corresponding change in said IFM design data, and whereby a change to any of said IFM design data affects a substantially immediate change in said FD design data.
31. A computer system according to claim 30 wherein said IFM display establishing means further comprises process explosion (PE) means for exploding at least one of said processes of said IFM design data into zero, one or more process explosion processes; each of said PE processes including at least one of the group consisting of primitive processes and high-level (HL) processes, each of said HL processes including one of the group consisting of primitive processes and HL processes; and wherein each of said HL processes includes HL means for creating and modifying each of said PE processes.
32. A computer system according to claim 31 wherein said PE means includes means for establishing a PE display of at least one of said primitive processes having PE display objects representative of said IFM design data associated with said primitive process, and including means associated with said PE display selectively operative for externally applying signals to said PE display objects, whereby an externally applied signal associated with at least one of said PE display objects affects said IFM design data; and wherein said PE display is selectively displayable simultaneous with at least one of said IM display, said IFM display, said PDL display, or said FD display.
33. A computer system according to claim 3 further comprising:
A. means for establishing in said computer system one or more partnership sets within at least one IM design data, IFM design data, or PDL design data, each of said partnership sets being representative of zero, one or more partnerships;
B. means for establishing one or more of said partnerships, wherein each of said partnerships is characterized by one partnership set associated with itself or associated with one other partnership set; and
C. means for accessing in said computer system one or more of said IM design data, said IFM design data, and said PDL design data by reference to a partnership set which is in partnership with partnership sets of said one or more of said IM design data, said IFM design data, or said PDL design data.
34. A computer system according to claim 3 further comprising:
A. storage means for storing information representative of an ordered set of references to design data;
B. valuation means for assigning a data value to said ordered set, defining an entity-set variable; and
C. processing means selectively operable to process said entity-set variable in accordance with imposed criteria.
35. A computer system according to claim 3 wherein said logic modeler further comprises means for establishing a PDL display having PDL display objects representative of said PDL design data, including means associated with said PDL display selectively operative for externally applying signals to said PDL display objects, whereby an externally applied signal associated with at least one of said PDL display objects affects said PDL design data.
36. A computer system according to claim 35 further comprising display linking means for dynamically correlating said IM display, said IFM display, and said PDL display, whereby a change to any of said IM design data affects a substantially immediate corresponding change in said IFM design data and said PDL design data, and whereby a change to any of said IFM design data affects a substantially immediate change in said IFM design data and said PDL design data, and whereby a change to any of said PDL design data affects a substantially immediate change in said IM design data and said IFM design data; said IM design data being representative of elements including at least one from the group consisting of attributes, partnership sets, keys, domains, dimensions, and allowable values.
37. A computer system according to claim 35 further comprising display linking means for dynamically correlating said IM display, said IFM display, and said PDL display, whereby a change to any of said IM design data affects a substantially immediate corresponding change in said IFM design data and said PDL design data, and whereby a change to any of said IFM design data affects a substantially immediate change in said IFM design data and said PDL design data, and whereby a change to any of said PDL design data affects a substantially immediate change in said IM design data and said IFM design data; said IM design data being representative of elements including entities; and
said PDL design data being representative of elements including at least one from the group consisting of send and receive.
38. A computer system according to claim 1 further comprising at least one function modeler, including FD design data representative of FD subprocesses, each of said subprocesses corresponding to at least one of said processes of said IFM design data, and having FD means for defining a hierarchy of said FD subprocess of said IFM design data.
39. An information management method for controlling information systems of organizations comprising steps of:
A. establishing at least one information modeler including IM means for creating, analyzing and modifying an information model, said information model having IM design data representative of elements including at least one from the group consisting of attribute, entity method, and partnership set, said attribute being independent of an entity;
B. establishing at least one process modeler including IFM means for creating, analyzing, and modifying a process model, said information flow model having IFM design data representative of elements including at least one from the group consisting of processes, information storees, information flows, messages, sources, and destinations, said IFM design data corresponding to at least one of said elements of said IM design data;
C. establishing modeler linking means for dynamically correlating said information modeler and said process modeler, whereby a change to any of said IM design data affects a corresponding IM-IFM change in said IFM design data, and whereby a change to any of said IFM design data affects a corresponding IFM-IM change in said IM design data; and
D. establishing operator means for applying external signals to said information modeler and said process modeler, said signals being effective to evoke a creating, analyzing, or modifying response from at least one of said IM means and said IFM means.
40. A computer system for processing information representative of business transactions comprising:
A. two or more modelers including modeler means for creating, analyzing, and modifying two or more models corresponding to each of said modelers, each of said models having design data;
B. at least one of said modelers being a logic modeler, including PDL means for defining logical operations on at least one of said design data, said logical operations being defined by PDL design data;
C. operator means for applying external signals to each of said modelers, said signals being effective to evoke a creating, analyzing, or modifying response from at least one of said modeler means; and
D. wherein said PDL design data corresponds to at least one from the group consisting of retrieve entity-set, send, receive, signal, when, reference to an entity method, reference to an entity-set, connect, and disconnect.
41. A computer system according to claim 40 wherein said PDL design data is representative of at least one from the group consisting of text and tree structure diagram, and
wherein said operator means further include means for selectively displaying said text and tree structure diagrams.
42. A computer system according to claim 41 wherein said text is representative of at least one from the group consisting of icons and alphanumeric symbols.
43. A computer system according to claim 42 wherein said operator means further includes means for externally applying signals to said logic modeler whereby an externally applied signal associated with at least one of said text affects said PDL design data.
44. A computer system according to claim 42 wherein said tree structure diagram includes nodes and pins, and wherein said nodes have text fields including data representative of at least one of logical operations, IM design data, or IFM design data.
45. A computer system according to claim 44 wherein said tree structure diagram includes nodes and pins, wherein said pins are representative of operation locations at said node, whereby an external signal applied to at least one of said operation locations performs an operation at said operation location, said operation including at least one from the group consisting of: add data, replace data, delete data, add node, replace node, or delete node.
46. A computer system according to claim 40 further comprising at least one information modeler including IM means for creating, analyzing and modifying an information model, said information model having IM design data representative of elements including at least one from the group consisting of attribute, entity method, attribute method, partnership set, and partnership set method, said attribute being independent of an entity.
47. A computer system according to claim 40 further comprising at least one process modeler including IFM means for creating, analyzing, and modifying a process model, said information flow model having IFM design data representative of elements including at least one from the group consisting of processes, information stores, information flows, messages, views, process local stores, sources, and destinations, said IFM design data relating to at least one of said elements of said IM design data.
48. A computer system according to claims 46 or 47 wherein said information modeler further comprises means for establishing an IM display having IM display objects representative of said IM design data, including means associated with said IM display selectively operative for externally applying signals to said IM display objects, whereby an externally applied signal associated with at least one of said IM display objects affects said IM design data;
wherein said process modeler further comprises means for establishing a IFM display having IFM display objects representative of said IFM design data, including means associated with said IFM display selectively operative for externally applying signals to said IFM display objects, whereby an externally applied signal associated with at least one of said IFM display objects affects said IFM design data; and
wherein said logic modeler further comprises means for establishing a PDL display having PDL display objects representative of said PDL design data, including means associated with said PDL display selectively operative for externally applying signals to said PDL display objects, whereby an externally applied signal associated with at least one of said PDL display objects affects said PDL design data.
49. A computer system according to claim 48 further comprising display linking means for dynamically correlating said IM display, said IFM display, and said PDL display whereby a change to any 5 one of said IM design data, IFM design data, and PDL design data affects a substantially immediate corresponding change in at least one of said IM design data, IFM design data, and PDL design data.
10 50. A computer system according to claim 40 further comprising:
A. storage means for storing information representative of an ordered set of references to
15 design data;
B. valuation means for assigning a data value to said ordered set, defining an entity-set variable;
20
C. processing means selectively operable to process said entity-set variable in accordance with imposed criteria.
5 51. A computer system according to claim 50 wherein said design data includes entities.
52. A computer system according to claim 51 wherein said ordered set is ordered in accordance 0 with predetermined criteria.
53. A computer system according to claim 51 wherein said ordered set is ordered in accordance with operator selected criteria. 5
54. A computer system for establishing an adaptive window system in a dynamic model of information systems of organizations comprising:
A. one or more modelers including modeler means for creating, analyzing, and modifying one or more models corresponding to each of said modelers, each of said models having design data representative of elements including at least one from the group consisting of attribute; attribute method; entity and attribute; entity method; entity and relationship; entity and entity method; entity, relationship and partnership set; process; view; process local store; information store; information flow; message; source; and, destination;
B. at least one of said modelers including at least one logic modeler, having PDL means for defining logical operations on at least one of said design data, said logical operations being defined by PDL design data, said PDL design data corresponding to at least one from the group consisting of insert, retrieve, update, delete, send, receive, signal, when, or reference to an entity method;
C. means for establishing an option modeler, having selectively operative OM means for creating, analyzing, and modifying syntactically permitted options associated with said PDL design data, said OM means including:
(i) means for storing predetermined option criteria, each of said predetermined option criteria being representative of at least one from the group consisting of semantic rules, logical relationships, expert rules, and heuristics;
(ii) means for comparing said PDL design data with said predetermined option criteria; and
(iii)means for identifying correlated PDL design data, said correlated PDL design data being ones of said PDL design data which substantially match one of said predeterimined criteria, said correlated PDL design data being representative of said syntactically permitted options;
D. means for establishing an options window having operator selectable option objects representative of said syntactically permitted options, whereby said syntactically permitted options are only ones of said PDL design data syntactically permitted at the time of establishment of said options window; and
E. means associated with said options window selectively operative for externally applying signals to said option modeler whereby an externally applied signal associated with at least one of said option objects affects said PDL design data.
55. A computer system according to claim 54 further comprising at least one information modeler including IM means for creating, analyzing and modifying an information model, said information model having IM design data representative of elements including at least one from the group consisting of attribute, entity method, attribute method, partnership set, and partnership set method, said attribute being independent of an entity;
56. A computer system according to claim 55 further comprising at least one process modeler including IFM means for creating, analyzing, and modifying a process model, said information flow model having IFM design data representative of elements including at least one from the group consisting of processes, information stores, information flows, messages, views, process local stores, sources, and destinations, said IFM design data relating to at least one of said elements of said IM design data;
57. A computer system according to claim 54 wherein said operator means includes means for establishing at least one option facility and option objects therein, including:
means associated with said option facility selectively operative for externally applying signals to said information modeler, said process modeler, and said logic modeler whereby an externally applied signal associated with at least one of said option objects affects said IM design data, said IFM design data and said PDL design data.
58. A computer system according to claim 57 wherein said operator means includes means for establishing at least one feedback window and feedback objects therein, including:
means associated with said feedback window selectively operative to display data received from at least one of said information modeler, said process modeler, and said logic modeler.
59. A computer system according to claim 58 wherein said operator means includes means for establishing at least one diagram window and diagram objects therein, including:
means associated with said diagram window selectively operative to display data received from at least one of said information modeler, said process modeler, and said logic modeler, defining said diagram objects;
means associated with said diagram window selectively operative for externally applying signals to said diagram objects, whereby an externally applied signal associated with at least one of said diagram objects affects said IM design data, said IFM design data, and said PDL design data.
60. A computer system according to claim 59 wherein said externally applied signals have associated therewith signal values, and wherein said information modeler, said information flow modeler, and said logic modeler comprises:
means for storing predetermined values, each of said predetermined values being representative of at least one process, semantic rule, expert rule, logical relationship, heuristic, text field, or pin;
means for comparing said signal values with said predetermined value;
means for identifying uncorrelated signals, said uncorrelated signals being ones of said signal values which do not substantially match one of said predetermined values; and
means for generating flag signals representative of the identity of said uncorrelated signals.
61. A computer system according to claim 54 wherein said PDL design data corresponds to at least one from the group consisting of insert, retrieve, update, delete, send, receive, signal, when, reference to an entity method, connect, or disconnect,
62. A computer system according to claim 61 wherein said PDL design data is representative of at least one from the group consisting of text and tree structure diagram, and
wherein said operator means further include means for selectively displaying said text and tree structure diagrams.
63. A computer system according to claim 62 wherein said text is representative of at least one from the group consisting of icons and alphanumeric symbols.
5
64. A computer system according to claim 63 wherein said operator means further includes means for externally applying signals to said logic modeler whereby an externally applied signal associated with
10 at least one of said text affects said PDL design data.
65. A computer system according to claim 62 wherein said tree structure diagram includes nodes
15 and pins, and wherein said nodes have text fields including data representative of at least one of logical operations, IM design data, or IFM design data.
20 66. A computer system for specifying information representative of business transactions, comprising:
A. first storage means for storing transaction design data representative
25 of the rules of a desired business transaction;
B. second storage means for storing user data in an original form;
30
C. processing means for reversibly processing said user data whereby said user data is transformed in accordance with a predetermined processing 5 algorithm defined by said design data, and associated means for making said user data externally inaccessible during said processing;
10 D. means internally operative on said transformed user data for evaluating said transformed user data in accordance with predetermined logical criteria defined by said design data;
15 and
upon identification of a first set of conditions:
20 i. storing said transformed user data;
ii. making said stored transformed user data 25 externally accessible; and
upon identification of a second set of conditions:
30 i. inverse transforming said user data to said original form;
ii. storing said original form user data; and
iii. making said stored original form user data externally accessible.
67. A computer system according to claim 66 wherein said user data is representative of elements including at least one from the group consisting of:
attribute; attribute method; entity method; partnership set; partnership set method; entity; entity and relationship; entity and attribute; entity, relationship, and partnership set;
process; information store; information flow; message; view; process local store; source; destination; event;
keywords; identifiers; symbols; and, statements.
68. A computer system according to claim 67 wherein said statements include at least one from the group consisting of: insert; retrieve; update; delete; send; receive; signal; when; connect; disconnect; reference to an entity method; and, reference to an entity.
69. A computer system according to claim 67 wherein said logical criteria includes at least one from the group consisting of logical relationships, expert rules, semantic rules, and heuristics.
_ _
70. A computer system according to claim 66 further comprising:
A. one or more modelers, and including
5 modeler means for creating, analyzing, and modifying one or more models corresponding to each of said modelers, each of said models having design data; and
B. operator means for applying external 0 signals to said modelers, said signals being effective to evoke a creating, analyzing, or modifying response from at least one of said modeler means.
15 71. A computer system according to claim 70 wherein at least one of said modelers comprises a logic modeler, including PDL means for defining logical operations on at least one of said design data, said logical operations being defined by PDL
20 design data.
72. A computer system according to claim 71 wherein said PDL design data corresponds to at least one from the group consisting of insert, retrieve, 25 update, delete, send, receive, signal, when, reference to an entity, connect, or disconnect.
73. A computer system according to claim 72 wherein said PDL design data is representative of at least one from the group consisting of text and tree structure diagram, and
wherein said operator means further include means for selectively displaying said text and tree structure diagrams.
74. A computer system according to claim 73 wherein said text is representative of at least one from the group consisting of icons and alphanumeric symbols.
75. A computer system according to claim 74 wherein said operator means further includes means for externally applying signals to said logic modeler whereby an externally applied signal associated with at least one of said text affects said PDL design data.
76. A computer system according to claim 73 wherein said tree structure diagram includes nodes and pins, and wherein said nodes have text fields including data representative of at least one of logical operations, IM design data, or IFM design data.
77. A computer system according to claim 76 wherein said tree structure diagram includes nodes and pins, wherein said pins are representative of operation locations at said node, whereby an external signal applied to at least one of said operation locations performs an operation at said operation location, said operation including at least one from the group consisting of: add data, replace data, delete data, add node, replace node, or delete node.
78. A computer system according to claim 71 further comprising at least one information modeler including IM means for creating, analyzing and modifying an information model, said information model having IM design data representative of elements including at least one from the group consisting of attribute, entity method, attribute method, partnership set, and partnership set method, said attribute being independent of an entity.
79. A computer system according to claim 78 further comprising at least one process modeler including IFM means for creating, analyzing, and modifying a process model, said information flow model having IFM design data representative of elements including at least one from the group consisting of processes, information stores, information flows, messages, views, process local stores, sources, and destinations, said IFM design data relating to at least one of said elements of said IM design data.
80. A computer system according to claim 79 wherein said information modeler further comprises means for establishing an IM display having IM display objects representative of said IM design data, including means associated with said IM display selectively operative for externally applying signals to said IM display objects, whereby an externally applied signal associated with at least one of said IM display objects affects said IM design data;
wherein said process modeler further comprises means for establishing a IFM display having IFM display objects representative of said IFM design data, including means associated with said IFM display selectively operative for externally applying signals to said IFM display objects, whereby an externally applied signal associated with at least one of said IFM display objects affects said IFM design data; and
wherein said logic modeler further comprises means for establishing a PDL display having PDL display objects representative of said PDL design data, including means associated with said PDL display selectively operative for externally applying signals to said PDL display objects, whereby an externally applied signal associated with at least one of said PDL display objects affects said PDL design data.
81. A computer system according to claim 80 further comprising display linking means for dynamically correlating said IM display, said IFM display, and said PDL display whereby a change to any one of said IM design data, IFM design data, and PDL design data affects a substantially immediate corresponding change in at least one of said IM design data, IFM design data, and PDL design data.
82. A computer system for processing complex business transactions comprising:
A. at least one selectively operable outer subsystem including:
i. first outer subsystem storage means for storing transaction design data representative of the rules of a desired business transaction;
ii. second outer subsystem storage means for storing first user data in an original form;
iii. processing means for reversibly processing said first user data whereby said first user data is transformed in accordance with a predetermined processing algorithm defined by said design data, and associated means for making said stored first user data externally inaccessible during said processing;
iv. means internally operative on said transformed first user data for evaluating said transformed first user data in accordance with predetermined logical criteria defined by said design data; and
upon identification of a first set of conditions:
10
(a) storing said transformed first user data;
(b) making said stored transformed 15 first user data externally accessible; and
upon identification of a second set of conditions: 20
(a) inverse transforming said first user data to said original form;
(b) storing said original form first 25 user data; and
(c) making said stored original form user data externally accessible;
B. at least one selectively operable nested inner subsystem including:
i. first inner subsystem storage means for storing nested transaction design data representative of the rules of a desired business transaction;
ii. second inner subsystem storage means for storing nested user data in an original form;
iii. processing means for reversibly processing said nested user data whereby said nested user data is transformed in accordance with a predetermined processing algorithm defined by said design data, and associated means for making said nested user data externally inaccessible during said processing;
iv. means internally operative on said transformed nested user data for evaluating said transformed nested user data in accordance with predetermined logical criteria defined by said design data; and
upon identification of a first set of conditions:
(a) storing said transformed nested user data;
(b) making said stored transformed nested user data externally accessible; and
upon identification of a second set of conditions:
(a) inverse transforming said nested user data to said original form;
10
(b) storing said original form user data; and
(c) making said stored original form 15 nested user data accessible to said outer subsystem;
C. means for controling in sequence:
20 i. said outer subsystem to be operative using said first user data;
ii. said nested inner subsystem to be operative using said nested user data; 25 and
iii. said outer subsystem to be operative using said accessible nested user data,
83. A computer system according to claim 82 wherein said first user data is representative of elements including at least one from the group consisting of:
attribute; attribute method; entity method; partnership set; partnership set method; entity; entity and relationship; entity and attribute; entity, relationship, and partnership set;
process; information store; information flow; message; view; process local store; source; destination; event;
keywords; identifiers; symbols; and, statements.
84. A computer system according to claim 82 wherein said nested user data is representative of elements including at least one from the group consisting of:
attribute; attribute method; entity method; partnership set; partnership set method; entity; entity and relationship; entity and attribute; entity, relationship, and partnership set;
process; information store; information flow; message; view; process local store; source; destination; event;
keywords; identifiers; symbols; and, statements.
85. A computer system according to claim 82 further comprising:
A. storage means for storing information representative of an ordered set of references to design data;
B. valuation means for assigning a data value to said ordered set, defining an entity-set variable;
C. processing means selectively operable to process said entity-set variable in accordance with imposed criteria.
86. A computer system according to claim 85 wherein said design data includes entities.
87. A computer system according to claim 86 wherein said ordered set is ordered in accordance with predetermined criteria.
88. A computer system according to claim 86 wherein said ordered set is ordered in accordance with operator selected criteria.
89. A computer system according to claim 86 wherein said first user data includes entity-set variables.
90. A computer system according to claim 86 wherein said nested user data includes entity-set variables.
_ Λ C
—106—
91. A computer system for establishing model subsets of a dynamic model of information systems of organizations comprising:
A. two or more modelers including modeler means for creating, analyzing, and modifying two or more models corresponding to each of said modelers, each of said models having design data representative of elements including at least one from the group consisting of:
attribute; entity and attribute; attribute method; entity and relationship; entity method; entity and entity method; entity, relationship and partnership set; process; view; process local store; information store; information flow; message; source; and, destination;
B. operator means for applying external signals to each of said modelers, said signals being effective to evoke a creating, analyzing, or modifying response from at least one of said modeler means;
C. modeler linking means for dynamically correlating said design data, whereby a change to any of said design data of one of said modelers affects a substantially immediate corresponding change to said design data of others of said modelers; and
D. filter means for creating at least one model subset of at least one of said models, each of said model subsets being defined by operator-determined selection criteria, and being selected in accordance with said selection criteria from each of said design data.
92. A computer system according to claim 91 wherein said filter means further comprises means for establishing at least one model subset display of each of said model subsets, and having model subset display objects representative of at least one of said model subsets, including means associated with each of said model subset displays selectively operative for externally applying signals to each of said model subset display objects, whereby an externally applied signal associated with at least one of said model subset display objects affects at least one associated one of said models.
93. A computer system according to claim 92 further comprising display linking means for dynamically correlating each of said model subset displays, wherein a change to any of said model subset design data affects a substantially immediate corresponding change in others of said model subset design data.
94. A computer system for establishing model subsets of a dynamic model of information systems of organizations comprising:
A. at least one information modeler including IM means for creating, analyzing and modifying an information model, said information model having IM design data;
B. at least one process modeler including
IFM means for creating, analyzing, and modifying a process model, said information flow model having IFM design data representative of elements including at least one from the group consisting of processes, information stores, information flows, messages, views, process local stores, sources, and destinations, said IFM design data relating to at least one of said elements of said IM design data;
C. at least one logic modeler, including
PDL means for defining logical operations on at least one of said IFM design data and IM design data, said logical operations being defined by PDL design data;
D. modeler linking means for dynamically correlating said information modeler, said process modeler, and said logic modeler, wherein a change to any of said IM design data affects a corresponding IM-IFM/PDL change in said IFM design data and said PDL design data, and wherein a change to any of said IFM design data affects a corresponding IFM-IM/PDL change in said IM design data and said PDL design data, and wherein a change to any of said PDL design data affects a corresponding PDL-IM/IFM change in said IM design data and said IFM design data;
E. operator means for applying external signals to said information modeler and said process modeler, said signals being effective to evoke a creating, analyzing, or modifying response from at least one of said IM means and said IFM means; and
F. filter means for creating at least one of the group of subsets consisting of an IM-subset of said information model, an IFM-subset of said process model, and a PDL-subset of said PDL design data, each of said IM-subset, IFM-subset, and PDL-subset being defined by operator-determined selection criteria, and being selected in accordance with said selection criteria from said IM design data, IFM design data, and PDL design data.
95. A computer system according to claim 94 wherein said IM design data is representative of elements including at least one from the group consisting of: attribute; attribute method; partnership set; partnership set method; entity; entity method; entity and relationship; entity and attribute, and; entity, relationship, and partnership set.
96. A computer system according to claim 95 wherein said filter means further comprises:
means for establishing an IM-subset display of said IM-subset having IM-subset display objects representative of said IM-subset, including means associated with said IM-subset display selectively operative for externally applying signals to said IM-subset display objects, whereby an externally applied signal associated with at least one of said IM-subset display objects affects said information model;
means for establishing an IFM-subset display of said IFM-subset having IFM-subset display objects representative of said IFM-subset, including means associated with said IFM-subset display selectively operative for externally applying signals to said IFM-subset display objects, whereby an externally applied signal associated with at least one of said IFM-subset display objects affects said process model; and
-Ill-
means for establishing a PDL-subset display of said PDL-subset having PDL-subset display objects representative of said PDL-subset, including means associated with said PDL-subset display selectively operative for externally applying signals to said PDL-subset display objects, whereby an externally applied signal associated with at least one of said PDL-subset display objects affects said PDL design data.
97. A computer system according to claim 96 further comprising display linking means for dynamically correlating said IM-subset display, said IFM-subset display, and said PDL-subset display, wherein a change to any of said IM-subset design data affects a substantially immediate corresponding change in said IFM-subset design data and said PDL-subset design data, and wherein a change to any of said IFM-subset design data affects a substantially immediate corresponding change in said IM-subset design data and said PDL-subset design data, and wherein a change to any of said PDL-subset design data affects a substantially immediate corresponding change in said IM-subset design data and said IFM-subset design data.
98. A computer system according to claim 94 wherein said PDL design data corresponds to at least one from the group consisting of insert, retrieve, update, delete, send, receive, signal, when, reference to an entity method, connect, and disconnect.
99. A computer system according to claim 94 further comprising at least one function modeler, including FD design data representative of FD subprocesses, each of said subprocesses corresponding to at least one of said processes of said IFM design data, and having FD means for defining a hierarchy of said FD subprocesses of said IFM design data.
100. A computer system according to claim 99 further comprising linking means for dynamically correlating said function modeler, said logic modeler and said process modeler, whereby a change to any of said FD design data affects a corresponding FD-PDL/IFM change in said PDL design data and said IFM design data, and whereby a change to any of said PDL design data or said IFM design data affects a corresponding PDL/IFM-FD change in said FD design data.
101. A computer system according to claim 100 wherein said function modeler further comprises means for establishing a FD display having FD display objects representative of said FD design data, including means associated with said FD display selectively operative for externally applying signals to said FD display objects, whereby an externally applied signal associated with at least one of said FD display objects affects said FD design data; and
wherein said process modeler further comprises means for establishing a IFM display having IFM display objects representative of said IFM design data, including means associated with said IFM display selectively operative for externally applying signals to said IFM display objects, whereby an externally applied signal associated with at least one of said IFM display objects affects said IFM design data.
102. A computer system according to claim 101 further comprising display linking means for dynamically correlating said FD display and said IFM display, whereby a change to any of said FD design data affects a substantially immediate corresponding change in said IFM design data, and whereby a change to any of said IFM design data affects a substantially immediate change in said FD design data.
103. A computer system for establishing subprocesses in a model of information management systems of organizations, comprising:
A. at least one modeler including modeler means for creating, analyzing, and modifying one or more models corresponding to each of said modelers, each of said models having design data, said design data including at least one process;
B. operator means for applying external signals to each of said modelers, said signals being effective to evoke a creating, analyzing, or modifying response from at least one of said modeler means;
C. means for establishing at least one modeler display having display objects representative of said design data, including means associated with said display selectively operative for externally applying signals to said display objects, whereby an externally applied signal associated with at least one of said display objects affects associated ones of said design data;
D. process explosion (PE) means for exploding at least one of said processes of said design data into zero, one or more process explosion (PE) processes; each of said PE processes including at least one of the group consisting of primitive processes and high-level (HL) processes, each of said HL processes including one of the group consisting of primitive processes and HL processes; and wherein each of said HL processes includes HL means for creating and modifying each of said PE processes; and
E. means for establishing a PE display of at least one of said primitive processes having PE display objects representative of said design data associated with said primitive process, and including means associated with said PE display selectively operative for externally applying signals to said PE display objects, whereby an externally applied signal associated with at least one of said PE display objects affects said design data; and wherein said PE display is selectively displayable simultaneous with at least one of said modeler displays.
104. A computer system according to claim 103 wherein said design data includes at least two processes, and further comprising implosion means for consolidating at least two of said processes of said design data into a process implosion (PI) process, each of said PI processes defining a high-level (HL) process.
105. A computer system according to claim 104 wherein said implosion means further includes means for establishing a PI display of at least one of said HL processes, and including means associated with said PI display selectively operative for externally applying signals to said PI display, whereby an externally applied signal associated with said PI display affects said design data; and wherein said PI display is selectively displayable simultaneous with at least one of said modeler displays.
106. Display apparatus comprising:
A. means for establishing at least one set of one or more objects, wherein at least one of said objects is representative of a subset of one or more sub-objects;
B. means for selectively displaying said objects of said set in a structured set array;
C. means for selectively displaying said sub-objects of said subset in a structured subset array, wherein said structured subset array is selectively displayable simultaneous with said structured set array;
D. means associated with said structured set array selectively operative for externally applying signals to said objects, whereby an externally applied signal associated with at least one of said objects affects said sub-objects; and
E. means associated with said structured subset array selectively operative for externally applying signals to said sub-objects, whereby an externally applied signal associated with at least one of said sub-objects affects said objects of said set.
107. A computer system for establishing subprocesses in a model of information management systems of organizations, comprising:
A. at least one modeler including modeler means for creating, analyzing, and modifying one or more models corresponding to each of said modelers, each of said models having design data, said design data including at least two processes;
B. operator means for applying external signals to each of said modelers, said signals being effective to evoke a creating, analyzing, or modifying response from at least one of said modeler means;
C. means for establishing at least one modeler display having display objects representative of said design data, including means associated with said display selectively operative for externally applying signals to said display objects, whereby an externally applied signal associated with at least one of said display objects affects associated ones of said design data; and
D. implosion means for consolidating at least two of said processes of said design data into a process implosion (PI) process, each of said PI processes defining a high-level (HL) process.
108. A computer system according to claim 107 wherein said implosion means further includes means for establishing a PI display of at least one of said HL processes, and including means associated with said PI display selectively operative for externally applying signals to said PI display, whereby an externally applied signal associated with said PI display affects said design data; and wherein said PI display is selectively displayable simultaneous with at least one of said modeler displays.
109. A computer system for information management systems of organizations, comprising:
A. one or more modelers including modeler, means for creating, analyzing, and modifying one or more models corresponding to each of said modelers, each of said models having design data;
B. means for establishing in said computer system one or more partnership sets within at least one of said design data, each of said partnership sets being representative of zero, one or more partnerships;
C. means for establishing one or more of said partnerships, wherein each of said partnerships is characterized by one partnership set associated with itself or associated with one other partnership set;
D. means for accessing in said computer system one or more of said design data by reference to a partnership set which is in partnership with partnership sets of said one or more of said design data;
E. operator means for applying external signals to each of said modelers, said signals being effective to evoke a creating, analyzing, or modifying response from at least one of said modeler means; and
F. modeler linking means for dynamically correlating said design data, whereby a change to any of said design data of one of said modelers affects a substantially immediate corresponding change to said design data of others of said modelers.
110. A computer system according to claim 109 wherein said design data is representative of elements including at least one from the group consisting of:
attribute; attribute method; entity and attribute; entity and relationship; entity and entity method; entity, relationship and partnership set; process; view; process local store; information store; information flow; message; event; source; and, destination.
111. A computer system according to claim 110 wherein at least one modeler comprises an information modeler, including IM means for creating, analyzing and modifying an information model, said information model having IM design data representative of elements including at least one from the group consisting of: attribute; entity method; attribute method; partnership set; and, partnership set method, said attribute being independent of an entity.
112. A computer system according to claim 111 wherein at least one modeler comprises a process modeler, including IFM means for creating, analyzing, and modifying a process model, said information flow model having IFM design data representative of elements including at least one from the group consisting of: processes; information stores; information flows; messages; views; process local stores; events; sources; and, destinations, said IFM design data relating to at least one of said elements of said IM design data;
113. A computer system according to claim 112 further comprising modeler linking means for dynamically correlating said information modeler and said process modeler, wherein a change to any of said IM design data affects a corresponding IM-IFM change in said IFM design data, and wherein a change to any of said IFM design data affects a corresponding IFM-IM change in said IM design data.
114. A computer system according to claim 113 wherein said information modeler further comprises means for establishing an IM display having IM display objects representative of said IM design data, including means associated with said IM display selectively operative for externally applying signals to said IM display objects, whereby an externally applied signal associated with at least one of said. IM display objects affects said IM design data; and
wherein said process modeler further comprises means for establishing a IFM display having IFM display objects representative of said IFM design data, including means associated with said IFM display selectively operative for externally applying signals to said IFM display objects, whereby an externally applied signal associated with at least one of said IFM display objects affects said IFM design data.
115. A computer system according to claim 114 further comprising display linking means for dynamically correlating said IM display and said IFM display, whereby a change to any of said IM design data affects a substantially immediate corresponding change in said IFM design data, and whereby a change to any of said IFM design data affects a substantially immediate change in said IFM design data.
116. A computer system for an information management system, comprising:
A. storage means for storing information representative of an ordered set of references to user data;
B. valuation means for assigning a data value to said ordered set, defining an entity-set variable;
C. processing means selectively operable to process said entity-set variable in accordance with imposed criteria.
117. A computer system according to claim 116 wherein said design data includes entity instances.
118. A computer system according to claim 117 wherein said ordered set is ordered in accordance with predetermined criteria.
119. A computer system according to claim 117 wherein said ordered set is ordered in accordance with operator selected criteria.
120. A computer system according to claim 117 further comprising:
A. at least one modeler including modeler means for creating, analyzing, and modifying one or more models corresponding to each of said modelers, each of said models having design data, said design data including at least one process; and
B. operator means for applying external signals to each of said modelers, said signals being effective to evoke a creating, analyzing, or modifying response from at least one of said modeler means.