Abstract: An improved method and mechanism is disclosed for updating rules used by a rule server. An embodiment is directed to a method and mechanism for connecting one or more rule service agents to a rule server, in which rules may be changed and put into operation without taking the rule server offline.

Abstract: An improved method and mechanism for specified temporal deployment of rules within a rules server. A rules server applies a set of rules, stored within a rulebase, to a given set of input values or parameters. Each rule is associated with a start time and an end time. Upon receiving a transaction request, a transaction time is determined for the transaction request. Subsequently, a set of effective rules within the ruleset are identified by the rules server, wherein each effective rule has a start time before the transaction time, and an end time that is after the transaction time. The rule server applies only the set of effective rules to the transaction.

Abstract: An improved method and mechanism is disclosed for updating rules used by a rule serve. An embodiment is directed to a method and mechanism for connecting one or more rule service agents to a rule server, in which rules may be changed and put into operation without taking the rule server offline.

Abstract: An improved mechanism for intelligently presenting questions through an electronic interface is disclosed. A rule server receives information identifying a set of answers from a user corresponding to a first set of questions presented to that user. In response, analysis is performed upon the set of received answers. A first determination is then made of whether any questions from the first set of questions need to be answered again based upon rules governing responsive answers. Next, a second determination is made of the composition of a second set of questions. The first determination and second determination may be performed at a rule server or an application tier. The second set of questions is then presented to a user through an electronic interface. Suggested answers to the second set of questions may also be presented to the user through an electronic interface contemporaneously with the second set of questions.

Abstract: An improved method and mechanism for specified temporal deployment of rules within a rules server. A rules server applies a set of rules, stored within a rulebase, to a given set of input values or parameters. Each rule is associated with a start time and an end time. Upon receiving a transaction request, a transaction time is determined for the transaction request. Subsequently, a set of effective rules within the ruleset are identified by the rules server, wherein each effective rule has a start time before the transaction time, and an end time that is after the transaction time. The rule server applies only the set of effective rules to the transaction.