The present invention is a method and apparatus for managing memory in goal processing. The present invention creates search states that contain an alternative subgoal (i.e., subgoal with alternatives) and non-alternative subgoals. Problem state modifications associated with the goals contained in a search state are associated with a search state object. A search state object contains information about the search process and the goals included in the search state, and a pointer to previous search state objects. Processed goals are kept on a goal stack, and the search state object points to the first and last goal stack entry included in the search state object. A search state object includes a list of alternatives available in the search state. When a goal processing failure occurs, an alternative solution search begins with the latest search state object until an alternative is found, or a determination is made that no alternatives exist and the goal cannot be satisfied. When a goal processing failure occurs, an alternative subgoal is directly accessible without visiting each subgoal individually. Goals included in the failed processing may be collectively popped from the goal stack. Problem state modifications associated with the failed processing may be collectively undone from the problem state. Goal processing reverts to a state prior to the failed state without examining each goal within the failed state, individually removing the failed state's modifications, and individually releasing the memory used by the failed state.
A graphical user interface to a method and system for configuring office furniture includes interface objects for obtaining configuration criteria from a user; presenting the user with at least one typical configuration satisfying the criteria; selecting a typical configuration from the at least one typical configuration; modifying aspects of the selected typical configuration to produce a modified configuration; and checking the validity of the modified configuration. The configuration criteria include conferencing criteria; privacy criteria; power criteria; communications criteria; storage criteria; and area criteria. A typical can be modified by adding, deleting, or repositioning a component, changing the fabric or finish or the shape or size of the component. A cluster configuration based on the typical configuration is formed. The entire product line can be changed. At any time the entire typical or cluster configuration can be checked for validity and priced.
A computerized design system is employed for designing product specifications for a multitude of products. This computerized design system uses an input from a user to define a series of goals and from these goals to create a data structure which is extracted from the goals. This data structure is then topologically stored in a computer memory which is then used to create a mapping between requirement specifications and a conceptual design. An output is then provided which can be used as a final design specification.
A computer implemented method of generating a user product configuration program module from a development environment. The user product configuration program module includes user controls that allow user input of information for use in configuration computations. Methods are disclosed for creating and maintaining the logic for a configuration program module in the form of configuration parameters; creating and maintaining the visual controls and user interface; and linking created visual controls with underlying structure represented by the parameters. Parameters assume values and are indicated as valid or invalid through operation of constraints and queries. Further methods include display of parameter creation and selection windows, and query creation and selection windows for creating SQL queries to access data in external tables. Parameters, queries, and constraints can be displayed in expandable and collapsible hierarchies, and quickly utilized in formulas, queries, and logical expressions by clicking in an expanded hierarchical display. Dependencies occurring in the underlying configuration logic are evaluated in both the forward and reverse direction so as to provide for very fast execution of the resultant configuration program module when a user provides new data via a user control.
A computer implemented method of generating a user product configuration program module from a development environment. The user product configuration program module includes user controls that allow user input of information for use in configuration computations. Methods are disclosed for creating and maintaining the logic for a configuration program module in the form of configuration parameters; creating and maintaining the visual controls and user interface; and linking created visual controls with underlying structure represented by the parameters. Parameters assume values and are indicated as valid or invalid through operation of constraints and queries. Further methods include display of parameter creation and selection windows, and query creation and selection windows for creating SQL queries to access data in external tables. Parameters, queries, and constraints can be displayed in expandable and collapsible hierarchies, and quickly utilized in formulas, queries, and logical expressions by clicking in an expanded hierarchical display. Dependencies occurring in the underlying configuration logic are evaluated in both the forward and reverse direction so as to provide for very fast execution of the resultant configuration program module when a user provides new data via a user control.
An application's XML parser requiring XML files conforming to a very simple DTD requires a user to create a verbose and very redundant XML input file. The verbose XML file is usually prone to errors if created by a novice user, or an entity not involved in the initial creation of the application and its parser. Thus, the present invention creates an input XML file conforming to the simple DTD from a grammar rich XML file provided by the user. The grammar rich XML file requires a complex DTD for transformation. The complex DTD may also be prone to error if created by the user, therefore, the complex DTD file is automatically created from a schema definition provided by the user, or an agency of the user. The user or an agent of the user defines a schema for the desired grammar level, and then through a series of XSL transformations, the complex DTD file is created. Also, a stylesheet used for transforming the user's grammar rich XML file is automatically created. The grammar rich XML file provided by the user conforms to the automatically created complex DTD file. Thus, the grammar used in defining the user interface to an application is extensible without any requirement to enrich and recompile the application's XML parser.
