Dynamic information management system utilizing entity-relationship information model in which the attribute is independent of an entity

Claim 2

A computer system for establishing a dynamic model of information systems of organizations comprising: A. at least one information modeler subsystem (IMS) including Information Model (IM) means for creating, analyzing and modifying an entity-relationship information model (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 subsystem (PMS) including Information Flow Model (IFM) means for creating, analyzing, and modifying a process model said process model having IFM design data representative of elements including at least one from the group consisting of processes, information stores, information flows, messages, view, 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 subsystem (MLS) coupled to said IMS and said PMS, said MLS including means for dynamically correlating said IMS and said PMS, 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 coupled to said IMS and said PMS for applying external signals to said IMS and said PMS, said signals being effective to evoke a creating, analyzing, or modifying response from at least one of said IM means and said IFM means.

Claim 3

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.

Claim 4

A computer system according to claim 2 further comprising at least one logic modeler subsystem (LMS), including Process Description Language (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.

Claim 5

A computer system according to claim 1 wherein said IMS further comprises IM display 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 PMS further comprises IFM display 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.

Claim 6

A computer system according to claim 4 further comprising a display linking subsystem coupled to said IMS and said PMS, said display linking subsystem including 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.

Claim 7

A computer system according to claim 4 wherein said IFM display 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.

Claim 8

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.

Claim 9

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.

Claim 10

A computer system 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.

Claim 11

A computer system for establishing a dynamic model of information systems of organizations comprising: A. at least one information modeler subsystem (IMS) including Information Model (IM) means for creating, analyzing and modifying an entity-relationship information model (information model), said information model having IM design data; B. at least one process modeler subsystem (PMS) including Information Flow Model (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. modeler linking subsystem coupled to said IMS and said PMS, said modeler linking subsystem including means for dynamically correlating said IMS and said PMS, 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; D. operator means coupled to said IMS and said PMS for applying external signals to said IMS and said PMS, 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 E. at least one logic modeler subsystem (LMS) coupled with said IMS and said PMS, including Process Description Language (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.

Claim 12

A computer system for establishing a dynamic model of information systems of organizations comprising: A. at least one information modeler subsystem (IMS) including Information Model (IM) means for creating, analyzing and modifying an entity-relationship information model (information model), said information model having IM design data; B. at least one process modeler subsystem (PMS) including Information Flow Model (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. modeler linking subsystem coupled to said IMS and said PMS, said modeler linking subsystem including means for dynamically correlating said IMS and said PMS, 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; D. operator means coupled to said IMS and said PMS for applying external signals to said IMS and said PMS, 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 E. at least one logic modeler subsystem (LMS) coupled with said IMS and said PMS, including Process Description Language (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.

Claim 13

A computer system according to claim 10 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.

Claim 14

A computer system according to claim 10 wherein said IMS further comprises IM display 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 PMS further comprises IFM display 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 LMS further comprises PDL display 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.

Claim 15

A computer system according to claim 12 further comprising a display linking subsystem coupled to said IMS, said PMS, and said LMS, said display linking subsystem including 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.

Claim 16

A computer system according to claim 12 wherein said IFM display means further comprises a process explosion subsystem (PES) coupled to said PMS said PES including 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 from the group consisting of primitive processes and high-level (HL) processes, each of said HL processes including on from the group consisting of primitive processes and HL processes; and wherein each of said HL processes includes high-level process means for creating and modifying each of said PE processes.

Claim 17

A computer system according to claim 14 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, or said PDL display.

Claim 18

A computer system according to claim 12 wherein said design data includes at least two processes, and further comprising a process implosion subsystem (PIS) coupled to said PMS, said PIS including 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.

Claim 19

A computer according to claim 16 wherein said PIS 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.

Claim 20

A computer system for establishing a dynamic model of information systems of organizations comprising: A. at least one information modeler subsystem (IMS) including Information Model (IM) means for creating, analyzing and modifying an entity-relationship information model (information model), said information model having IM design data; B. at least one process modeler subsystem (PMS) including Information Flow Model (IFM) means for creating, analyzing, and modifying a process model, said process model having IFM design data representative of elements including at least one from the group consisting of: event; flow-partnership; and, flow-partnership set; said IFM design data relating to at least one of said elements of said IM design data; C. modeler linking subsystem coupled to said IMS and said PMS, said modeler linking subsystem including means for dynamically correlating said IMS and said PMS, 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; D. operator means coupled to said IMS and said PMS for applying external signals to said IMS and said PMS, said signals being effective to evoke a creating, analyzing, or modifying response from at least one of said IM means and said IFM means; E. said IMS further comprises IM display 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; F. said PMS further comprises IFM display means for establishing an 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 G. display linking subsystem coupled to said IMS and said PMS, said display linking subsystem including means for dynamically correlating said IM display and said IFM display, wherein 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.

Claim 21

A computer system for establishing a dynamic model of information systems of organizations comprising: A. at least one information modeler subsystem (IMS) including Information Model (IM) means for creating, analyzing and modifying an entity-relationship information model (information model), said information model having IM design data; B. at least one process modeler subsystem (PMS) including Information Flow Model (IFM) means for creating, analyzing, and modifying a process model, said process model having IFM design data representative of elements including at least one from the group consisting of: event; flow-partnership; and, flow-partnership set; said IFM design data relating to at least one of said elements of said IM design data; C. modeler linking subsystem coupled to said IMS and said PMS, said modeler linking subsystem including means for dynamically correlating said IMS and said PMS, 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; D. operator means coupled to said IMS and said PMS for applying external signals to said IMS and said PMS, said signals being effective to evoke a creating, analyzing, or modifying response from at least one of said IM means and said IFM means; E. said IMS further comprises IM display 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; F. said PMS further comprises IFM display means for establishing an 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 G. display linking subsystem coupled to said IMS and said PMS, said display linking subsystem including means for dynamically correlating said IM display and said IFM display, wherein 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.

Claim 22

A computer system according to claim 18 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.

Claim 23

A computer system according to claim 19 further comprising at least one logic modeler subsystem LMS, 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.

Claim 24

A computer system according to claim 18 wherein said IFM display means further comprises a process explosion subsystem PES coupled to said PMS, said PES including 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 from the group consisting of primitive processes and high-level (HL) processes, each of said HL processes including one from the group consisting of primitive processes and HL processes; and wherein each of said HL processes includes high level process means for creating and modifying each of said PE processes.

Claim 25

A computer system according to claim 21 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, or said IFM display.

Claim 26

A computer system according to claim 18 wherein said design data includes at least two processes, and further comprising a process implosion subsystem PIS coupled to said PMS, said PIS including 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.

Claim 27

A computer according to claim 23 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.

Claim 28

A computer system according to claims 3, 11, or 20 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, connect, and disconnect.

Claim 29

A computer system according to claims 3, 11, or 20, 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.

Claim 30

A computer system according to claim 26 wherein said text is representative of at least one from the group consisting of icons and alphanumeric symbols.

Claim 31

A computer system according to claim 27 wherein said operator means further includes means for externally applying signals to said LMS whereby an externally applied signal associated with at least one of said text affects said PDL design data.

Claim 32

A computer system according to claim 26 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, and IFM design data.

Claim 33

A computer system according to claim 29 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, and delete node.

Claim 34

A computer system according to claims 3, 11, or 20 further comprising: A. means for establishing an option modeler subsystem (OMS), having selectively operative Option Modeler (OM) means for creating, analyzing, and modifying syntactically permitted options associated with said PDL design data, said OM means including: (i) storage 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) comparison means coupled to said storage means for comparing said PDL design data with said predetermined option criteria; and (iii) identification means coupled to said comparison 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 predetermined 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 OMS whereby an externally applied signal associated with at least one of said option objects affects said PDL design data.

Claim 35

A computer system according to claims 3, 11, or 20 further comprising a modeler linking subsystem coupled to said IMS, said PMS, and said LMS, said modeler linking subsystem including means for dynamically correlating said LMS, said IMS, and said PMS, 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.

Claim 36

A computer system according to claim 32 wherein said operator means is further coupled to said LMS and 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.

Claim 37

A computer system according to claim 33 wherein said operator means includes means for establishing at least one feedback window and feedback objects therein, including: feedback window means associated with said feedback window for selectively displaying data received from at least one of said IMS, said PMS, and said LMS.

Claim 38

A computer system according to claim 34 wherein said operator means includes means for establishing at least one diagram window and diagram objects therein, including: diagram window means associated with said diagram window for selectively displaying data received from at least one of said IMS, said PMS, and said LMS, defining said diagram objects; and signal 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.

Claim 39

A computer system according to claim 32 wherein said operator means includes means for establishing at least one feedback window and feedback objects therein, including: feedback window means associated with said feedback window for selectively displaying data received from at least one of said IMS, said PMS, and said LMS.

Claim 40

A computer system according to claim 32 wherein said operator means includes means for establishing at least one diagram window and diagram objects therein, including: diagram window means associated with said diagram window for selectively displaying 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.

Claim 41

A computer system according to claim 32 wherein said modeler linking subsystem is further coupled to said LMS and includes means for substantially immediately affecting said corresponding PDL-IM/IFM change, and said corresponding IM/IFM-PDL change without operator input.

Claim 42

A computer system according to claims 3, 11, or 20 wherein said operator means is further coupled to said LMS and 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 IMS, said PMS, and said LMS 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.

Claim 43

A computer system according to claim 39 wherein said operator means includes means for establishing at least one feedback window and feedback objects therein, including: feedback window means associated with said feedback window for selectively displaying data received from at least on of said IMS, said PMS, and said LMS.

Claim 44

A computer system according to claim 40 wherein said operator means includes means for establishing at least one diagram window and diagram objects therein, including: diagram window means associated with said diagram window for selectively displaying data received from at least one of said IMS, said PMS, and said LMS, 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.

Claim 45

A computer system according to claim 41 wherein said externally applied signals have associated therewith signal values, and wherein said IMS, said PMS, and said LMS further comprises: storage 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; comparison means coupled to said storage means for comparing said signal values with said predetermined value; identification means coupled to said comparison 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 flag means coupled to said identification means for generative flag signals representative of the identity of said uncorrelated signals.

Claim 46

A computer system according to claims 3, 11, or 20 wherein said operator means is further coupled to said LMS and includes means for establishing at least one feedback window and feedback objects therein, including: feedback window means associated with said feedback window for selectively displaying data received from at least on of said IMS, said PMS, and said LMS.

Claim 47

A computer system according to claim 43 wherein said operator means includes means for establishing at least one diagram window and diagram objects therein, including: diagram window means associated with said diagram window for selectively displaying data received from at least one of said IMS, said PMS, and said LMS, 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.

Claim 48

A computer system according to claim 43 wherein said externally applied signals have associated therewith signal values, and wherein said IMS, said PMS, and said LMS further comprises: storage 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; comparison means coupled to said storage means for comparing said signal values with said predetermined value; identification means coupled to said comparison 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 flag means coupled to said identification means for generative flag signals representative of the identity of said uncorrelated signals.

Claim 49

A computer system according to claim 3, 11, or 20 wherein said operator means is further coupled to said LMS and includes means for establishing at least one diagram window and diagram objects therein, including: diagram window means associated with said diagram window for selectively displaying data received from at least one of said IMS, said PMS, and said LMS, 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.

Claim 50

A computer system according to claim 46 wherein said externally applied signals have associated therewith signal values, and wherein said IMS, said PMS, and said LMS further comprises: storage 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; comparison means coupled to said storage means for comparing said signal values with said predetermined value; identification means coupled to said comparison 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 flag means coupled to said identification means for generative flag signals representative of the identity of said uncorrelated signals.

Claim 51

A computer system according to claims 3, 11, or 20 wherein said externally applied signals have associated therewith signal values, and wherein said IMS, said PMS, and said LMS further comprises: storage 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; comparison means coupled to said storage means for comparing said signal values with said predetermined value; identification means coupled to said comparison 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 flag means coupled to said identification means for generative flag signals representative of the identity of said uncorrelated signals.

Claim 52

A computer system according to claims 3, 11, or 20 further comprising a filter subsystem coupled to said IMS, said PMS, and said LMS, said filter subsystem including means for creating at least one from 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, respectively.

Claim 53

A computer system according to claim 49 wherein said filter subsystem 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.

Claim 54

A computer system according to claim 49 wherein said filter subsystem 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 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.

Claim 55

A computer system according to claim 49 wherein said filter subsystem 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.

Claim 56

A computer system according to claim 49 wherein said filter subsystem 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.

Claim 57

A computer system according to claim 53 further comprising display linking subsystem coupled to said IMS, said PMS, and said LMS, said display linking subsystem including 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.

Claim 58

A computer system according to claims 3, 11, or 20 further comprising at least one function modeler subsystem FMS for creating, analyzing, and modifying a function model, said function model 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.

Claim 59

A computer system according to claim 55 further comprising a filter subsystem coupled to said IMS, said PMS, and said LMS, said filter subsystem including means for creating at least one from the group of subsets consisting of: an IM-subset of said information model; an IFM-subset of said process model; and 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, respectively.

Claim 60

A computer system according to claim 56 wherein said filter subsystem 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 function 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.

Claim 61

A computer system according to claim 57 further comprising display linking subsystem coupled to said IMS, said PMS, said LMS, and said FDS, and including 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.

Claim 62

A computer system according to claim 55 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.

Claim 63

A computer system according to claim 59 wherein said text is representative of at least one of icons and alphanumeric symbols.

Claim 64

A computer system according to claim 60 wherein said operator means further includes means for externally applying signals to said FDS whereby an externally applied signal associated with at least one of said text affects said FD design data.

Claim 65

A computer system according to claim 59 wherein said graphics includes at least one graphics field having graphics elements representative of said IFM design data and said FD design data.

Claim 66

A computer system according to claim 62 wherein said operator means further includes means for externally applying signals to said FDS whereby an externally applied signal associated with at least one of said graphics elements affects said FD design data.

Claim 67

A computer system according to claim 59 further comprising linking subsystem coupled to said IMS, said PMS, said LMS, and said FDS, and including means for dynamically correlating said FDS, said LMS, and said PMS, 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.

Claim 68

A computer system according to claim 64 wherein said FDS 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 PMS 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.

Claim 69

A computer system according to claim 65 further comprising a linking subsystem coupled to said IMS, said PMS, said LMS, and said FDS, and including means for dynamically correlating said FDS, and said PMS, 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.

Claim 70

A computer system according to claim 66 wherein said IFM display means further comprises a process explosion subsystem PES coupled to said PMS, said PES including 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 from the group consisting of primitive processes and high-level (HL) processes, each of said HL processes including one from the group consisting of primitive processes and HL processes; and wherein each of said HL processes includes high-level process means for creating and modifying each of said PE processes.

Claim 71

A computer system according to claim 67 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.

Claim 72

A computer system according to claims 3, 11, or 20 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.

Claim 73

A computer system according to claims 3, 11, or 20 further comprising: A. storage means for storing information representative of an ordered set of references to design data; B. valuation means coupled to said storage means for assigning a data value to said ordered set, defining an entity-set variable; C. processing means coupled to said valuation means for selectively processing said entity-set variable in accordance with imposed criteria.

Claim 74

A computer system according to claims 3 or 20 wherein said LMS 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.

Claim 75

A computer system according to claim 71 further comprising display linking subsystem coupled to said IMS, said PMS, and said LMS, said display linking subsystem including 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.

Claim 76

A computer system according to claim 71 further comprising display linking subsystem coupled to said IMS, said PMS, and said LMS, said display linking subsystem including 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.

Claim 77

A computer system according to claims 1, 10, or 18 further comprising at least one FDS, 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.

Claim 78

A computer system according to claim 74 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.

Claim 79

A computer system according to claim 75 wherein said text is representative of at least one of icons and alphanumeric symbols.

Claim 80

A computer system according to claim 76 wherein said operator means is further coupled to said FDS and further includes means for externally applying signals to said FDS whereby an externally applied signal associated with at least one of said elements affects said FD design data.

Claim 81

A computer system according to claim 75 wherein said graphics includes at least one graphics field having graphics elements representative of said IFM design data and said FD design data.

Claim 82

A computer system according to claim 78 wherein said operator means further includes means for externally applying signals to said function modeler whereby an externally applied signal associated with at least one of said elements affects said FD design data.

Claim 83

A computer system according to claim 75 further comprising a modeler linking subsystem coupled to said FDS and said PMS, said modeler linking subsystem including means for dynamically correlating said FDS and said PMS, whereby a change to any of said FD design data affects a corresponding change in said IFM design data, and whereby a change to any of said IFM design data affects a corresponding change in said FD design data.

Claim 84

A computer system according to claim 80 wherein said FDS 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 PMS 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.

Claim 85

A computer system according to claim 81 further comprising display linking subsystem coupled to said FDS and said PMS, and including 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.

Claim 86

A computer system according to claim 74 further comprising filter subsystem coupled to said IMS, said PMS, said LMS, and said FDS, said filter subsystem including means for creating at least one from 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.

Claim 87

A computer system according to claim 83 wherein said filter subsystem further comprises 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.

Claim 88

A computer system according to claim 83 wherein said filter subsystem 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.

Claim 89

A computer system according to claim 85 further comprising display linking subsystem coupled to said IMS, said PMS, said LMS, and said FDS, said filter subsystem including 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.

Claim 90

An information management method for controlling information systems of organization comprising the computer-implemented steps of: A. establishing at least one information modeler subsystem (IMS) including Information Model (IM) means for creating, analyzing and modifying an entity-relationship information model (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 subsystem (PMS) including Information Flow Model (IFM) means for creating, analyzing, and modifying a process model, said process model having IFM design data representative of elements including at least one from the group consisting of processes, information stores, 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 a modeler linking subsystem coupled to said IMS and said PMS, and including means for dynamically correlating said IMS and said PMS, 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 coupled to said IMS and said PMS for applying external signals to said IMS and said PMS, said signals being effective to evoke a creating, analyzing, or modifying response from at least one of said IM means and said IFM means.

Claim 91

An information management method for controlling information systems of organization comprising the computer-implemented steps of: A. establishing at least one information modeler subsystem (IMS) including Information Model (IM) means for creating, analyzing and modifying an entity-relationship information model (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 subsystem (PMS) including Information Flow Model (IFM) means for creating, analyzing, and modifying a process model, said process model having IFM design data representative of elements including at least one from the group consisting of processes, information stores, 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 a modeler linking subsystem coupled to said IMS and said PMS, and including means for dynamically correlating said IMS and said PMS, 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 coupled to said IMS and said PMS for applying external signals to said IMS and said PMS, said signals being effective to evoke a creating, analyzing, or modifying response from at least one of said IM means and said IFM means.

Claim 92

An information management method for controlling information systems of organization comprising the computer-implemented steps of: A. establishing at least one information modeler subsystem (IMS) including Information Model (IM) means for creating, analyzing and modifying an entity-relationship information model (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 subsystem (PMS) including Information Flow Model (IFM) means for creating, analyzing, and modifying a process model, said process model having IFM design data representative of elements including at least one process, information store, information flow, message, source, and destination, said IFM design data corresponding to at least one of said elements of said IM design data; C. establishing a modeler linking subsystem coupled to said IMS and said PMS, and including means for dynamically correlating said IMS and said PMS, 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; D. establishing operator means coupled to said IMS and said PMS for applying external signals to said IMS and said PMS, 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 E. establishing at least one logic modeler subsystem LMS coupled with said IMS and said PMS and 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.

Claim 93

An information management method for controlling information systems of organization comprising the computer-implemented steps of: A. establishing at least one information modeler subsystem (IMS) including Information Model (IM) means for creating, analyzing and modifying an entity-relationship information model (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 subsystem (PMS) including Information Flow Model (IFM) means for creating, analyzing, and modifying a process model, said process model having IFM design data representative of elements including at least one process, information store, information flow, message, source, and destination, said IFM design data corresponding to at least one of said elements of said IM design data; C. establishing a modeler linking subsystem coupled to said IMS and said PMS, and including means for dynamically correlating said IMS and said PMS, 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; D. establishing operator means coupled to said IMS and said PMS for applying external signals to said IMS and said PMS, 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 E. establishing at least one logic modeler subsystem LMS coupled with said IMS and said PMS and 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.

Claim 94

An information management method for controlling information systems of organization comprising the computer-implemented steps of: A. establishing at least one information modeler subsystem (IMS) including Information Model (IM) means for creating, analyzing and modifying an entity-relationship information model (information model), said information model having IM design data; B. establishing at least one process modeler subsystem (PMS) including Information Flow Model (IFM) means for creating, analyzing, and modifying a process model, said process model having IFM design data representative of elements including at least one from the group consisting of: event; flow-partnership; and, flow-partnership set; said IFM design data corresponding to at least one of said elements of said IM design data; C. establishing a modeler linking subsystem coupled to said IMS and said PMS, and including means for dynamically correlating said IMS and said PMS, 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; D. establishing operator means coupled to said IMS and said PMS for applying external signals to said IMS and said PMS, said signals being effective to evoke a creating, analyzing, or modifying response from at least one of said IM means and said IFM means; E. establishing an IM display having IM display objects representative of said IM design data, including selectively externally applying signals to said IM display objects such that an externally applied signal associated with at least one of said IM display objects affects said IM design data; F. establishing an IFM display having IFM display objects representative of said IFM design data, including selectively externally applying signals to said IFM display objects such that an externally applied signal associated with at least one of said IFM display objects affects said IFM design data; and G. establishing a display linking subsystem coupled to said IMS and said PMS for dynamically correlating said IM display and said IFM display, wherein 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.

Claim 95

An information management method for controlling information systems of organization comprising the computer-implemented steps of: A. establishing at least one information modeler subsystem (IMS) including Information Model (IM) means for creating, analyzing and modifying an entity-relationship information model (information model), said information model having IM design data; B. establishing at least one process modeler subsystem (PMS) including Information Flow Model (IFM) means for creating, analyzing, and modifying a process model, said process model having IFM design data representative of elements including at least one from the group consisting of: event; flow-partnership; and, flow-partnership set; said IFM design data corresponding to at least one of said elements of said IM design data; C. establishing a modeler linking subsystem coupled to said IMS and said PMS, and including means for dynamically correlating said IMS and said PMS, 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; D. establishing operator means coupled to said IMS and said PMS for applying external signals to said IMS and said PMS, said signals being effective to evoke a creating, analyzing, or modifying response from at least one of said IM means and said IFM means; E. establishing an IM display having IM display objects representative of said IM design data, including selectively externally applying signals to said IM display objects such that an externally applied signal associated with at least one of said IM display objects affects said IM design data; F. establishing an IFM display having IFM display objects representative of said IFM design data, including selectively externally applying signals to said IFM display objects such that an externally applied signal associated with at least one of said IFM display objects affects said IFM design data; and G. establishing a display linking subsystem coupled to said IMS and said PMS for dynamically correlating said IM display and said IFM display, wherein 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.