Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
Apparatus for constructing a new rule for a domain theory having an associated entity relationship (ER) theory represented by data stored in a file which relates to the domain theory and which can be represented diagrammatically, wherein said domain theory includes on or more existing rules, comprising: (a) display means for displaying visual elements for an ER diagram representing the ER theory; (b) constraints storage means for storing constraints; (c) control means for selecting said visual elements of the ER diagram, means for entering constraints relating to said selected visual elements and storing said related constraints involving the said selected visual elements in said constraints storage means; and (d) rule assembly means for automatically generating the new rule from a relevant portion of the ER theory data corresponding to said selected visual elements and said related constraints stored in said constraints storage means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
Apparatus for constructing a new rule for a domain theory having an associated entity relationship (ER) theory represented by data stored in a file which relates to the domain theory and which can be represented diagrammatically, wherein said domain theory includes on or more existing rules, comprising: (a) display means for displaying visual elements for an ER diagram representing the ER theory; (b) constraints storage means for storing constraints; (c) control means for selecting said visual elements of the ER diagram, means for entering constraints relating to said selected visual elements and storing said related constraints involving the said selected visual elements in said constraints storage means; and (d) rule assembly means for automatically generating the new rule from a relevant portion of the ER theory data corresponding to said selected visual elements and said related constraints stored in said constraints storage means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising means for displaying a plurality of entities and relationships between entities in the ER diagram.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said control means comprises means for selecting a relationship from the ER diagram and selecting entities linked by that relationship.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 2 or 3, wherein the ER theory includes information relating to attributes of its entities and/or relationships, and further comprising means for displaying said attributes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said control means enters selected attributes in said conditions storage means, and further comprising constraint means for constraining the entry of attributes when an attribute is selected.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising means for displaying attribute constraints.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said display means is divided into a plurality of areas, wherein one area displays the ER diagram and at least one other area displays the entities and relationships currently selected and/or entered into the conditions storage means.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
102 words
A method for constructing a new rule for a domain theory having an associated entity relationship (ER) theory represented by data which relates to the domain theory and which can be represented diagrammatically, wherein said domain theory includes one or more existing rules, comprising the steps of: (a) displaying an ER diagram obtained from the ER theory; (b) selecting elements of the ER diagram and related expressions for use in constructing a new rule; (c) storing the selected elements and related expressions as stored conditions indicative of a new rule; and (d) generating the new rule from at least the stored conditions.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
102 words
A method for constructing a new rule for a domain theory having an associated entity relationship (ER) theory represented by data which relates to the domain theory and which can be represented diagrammatically, wherein said domain theory includes one or more existing rules, comprising the steps of: (a) displaying an ER diagram obtained from the ER theory; (b) selecting elements of the ER diagram and related expressions for use in constructing a new rule; (c) storing the selected elements and related expressions as stored conditions indicative of a new rule; and (d) generating the new rule from at least the stored conditions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 8, further comprising displaying, in the ER diagram, a plurality of entities and relationships between the entities.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 9, further including the step of selecting a relationship from the ER diagram and selecting entities linked by said relationship.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 9 or 10, wherein the ER theory includes information relating to attributes of its entities and/or relationships and further comprising displaying said attributes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 11, further comprising constraining the entry of an attribute when the attribute is selected.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 12, further comprising displaying a representation of the constraint placed on the entry of the attribute.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 11, further comprising entering an attribute and displaying the entered attribute in the ER diagram.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
38 words
The method of claims 8, 9 or 10, wherein the displaying step comprises the steps of displaying the ER diagram in one area and displaying the entities and relationships currently selected/or stored in at least one other area.