Managing object relationships using an object repository
AssigneeIntergraph Corporation
InventorsYann Limon Duparcmeur, Robert N. Patience, Jean Louis Ardoin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for maintaining consistency between objects in a computer system by defining relationship patterns. A relationship pattern is a collection of entities having relationships with a common entity called an active entity. A semantic entity is associated with the active entity describing the actions to be performed for updating one or more entities of the relationship pattern in response to modification, copying, or deletion of one or more entities participating in the relationship pattern.
Claims17
A method for maintaining consistency between objects in a computer system, the method comprising:
- providing a first relationship between a first entity and a second entity;
- providing a semantic object comprising an action to be performed in response to a change in the first entity;
- associating the semantic object with the second entity;
- and
- making a change in the first entity thereby invoking the action.
A method of maintaining the integrity of objects in a database, the method comprising:
- determining a relationship pattern, comprising a binary relation between a first entity and a second entity;
- providing a semantic object comprising an action to be performed in response to a change in the first entity;
- associating the semantic object with the second entity;
- determining metadata comprising information from the relationship pattern and arguments of the semantic object;
- and
- storing the metadata and the semantic object.
The method of 10 wherein the metadata is stored in a COM or CORBA repository.
The method of 10 wherein the semantic object is stored in a DLL file.
A method for updating information in a database, comprising a first relation between a first entity and a second entity and a second relation between a second entity and a third entity, the method comprising:
- changing a first object of the first entity;
- identifying the first relation as being associated with the first object;
- using the first relation and repository metadata, identifying the second entity as an active entity;
- identifying a semantic object associated with the active entity, wherein the semantic object comprises an action to be performed in response to a change in the first entity;
- using arguments of the semantic object, identifying the third entity;
- and
- evaluating the action to change the third entity.
A computer system for maintaining consistency between objects, comprising:
- a processor;
- and
- a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing a relationship pattern information and modules for execution by the processor;
- wherein the relationship pattern information includes:
- information defining a first relationship between a first entity and a second entity;
- information defining a second relationship between a third entity and the second entity;
- and
- information defining a semantic object with an action to be performed for changing the third entity in response to changes in the first entity;
- and
- wherein the modules include:
- a module for associating the semantic object with the second entity;
- and
- a module for invoking the action when the first entity is changed.
A computer program product for a computer system including a processor and a memory for maintaining consistency between objects, the computer program product comprising:
- code for directing the processor to provide a first relationship between a first entity and a second entity;
- code for directing the processor to provide a semantic object with at least one action to be performed;
- code for directing the processor to associate the semantic object with the second entity;
- code for directing the processor to invoke at least one action when the first entity is changed;
- and
- a computer-readable medium for storing the codes.
A method for providing consistency among persistent objects in a computer system, comprising:
- using the metadata in a repository, constructing a graph, comprising entities and relations;
- associating with each active entity a semantic object;
- changing one passive entity, comprising a persistent object, in the graph;
- and
- traversing the graph to update the entities using the semantic objects.
A method in a computer system for displaying relationship pattern information in a browser comprising:
- displaying a entity as a node on a hierarchical browser folder tree;
- If the node is an active entity, displaying the associated semantic object;
- and
- for each argument of the semantic object, displaying a related role.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.