Method and computer program product for calculating event occurrences
US6360217B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 21, 1999 |
| Grant date | Mar 19, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 21, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S707/99933
- WIPO fieldIT methods for management
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method for calculating all event occurrences defined by an event expression in a specified time window. An event expression comprises add rules, delete rules and modify rules, each of which define a set of rule occurrences. The rules are separated into three groups and the occurrences generated by the grouped rules are sorted in any desired manner such that the earliest occurrence of each group is available for processing. A heap sort algorithm represents one suitable sorting technique. The earliest add rule occurrence is retrieved from the sorted add group occurrences and is compared with the earliest modify and delete rule occurrences taken from the sorted modify and delete group occurrences, respectively. Based on priority rules applied to the add, modify, and delete rule occurrences during the comparison process, it may be determined that the add rule occurrence represents a valid event occurrence that satisfies the event expression. Meanwhile, the add, modify, and delete rule occurrences are refreshed and resorted as the next rule occurrences associated with the grouped rules are calculated. The process is repeated until all valid event occurrences within the specified time …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.