SYSTEM, METHOD, AND SOFTWARE PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR ENABLING USERS TO CREATE AND USE RULE PATTERNS TO GENERATE CUSTOM PRODUCT-CONFIGURATION RULES

摘要

A configuration system, method, and software program is provided for enabling users to create and use rule patterns to generate custom product-configuration rules. The method includes enabling a designer to submit example rules or template rules for a rule pattern. The designer is then able to select which variables will be customizable in instances of the rule pattern. A modeler is able to select the rule pattern from a rule pattern library as a basis for creating custom configuration rules for a product. In response to the modeler selecting the rule pattern from the library, a user interface is generated in which the customizable fields for each template rule in the rule pattern are displayed and the modeler is able to enter values for the customizable fields. Configuration rules are then generated for the product from the template rules and the values entered by the modeler for the customizable fields.