Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for using an algorithm and data structure for efficient and accurate classification of data items into recovery classes. When a target recovery time (TRT) is specified for a data set, a system may obtain version metadata regarding data items in the data set. The metadata may be obtained in reverse chronological order such that the latest record representing a version or other storage operation is first, followed by the second latest record, and so on. The system may use a bidirectional doubly linked list to efficiently store version data for a particular data item in memory. As version metadata records are read and added to the data structure in reverse chronological order, classification determinations may be triggered when certain conditions are met.

Abstract: A rule processing apparatus includes modules for defining/entering attributes, enumerations, and/or relationships; packaging the definitions in a reduced canonical form suitable for propositional logic manipulation using zero-suppressed binary decision diagrams (Zdd) to produce a prime Zdd; and/or (iii) executing the rule by applying a series of user inputs to the prime Zdd to determine a result that preferably includes conflict and selection advice to guide the user to satisfaction. Elective events, such as but not limited to the display of messages or the performance of calculations, may optionally be packaged along with the prime rule or components thereof, and presented during execution to help guide the end user to satisfaction or compliancy when choosing among possible selections.

Abstract: An improvement in a computer-implemented rule processing method that provides conflict or selection advice to help guide a user achieve satisfiability of a business or engineering rule represented by a zero-suppressed binary decision diagram (ZDD) rule model. The improvement comprises obtaining at least one Exclude ZDD rule component from the ZDD rule model, identifying covers within the Exclude ZDD rule component, removing covers identified in the identifying step thereby to produce abridged Exclude ZDD rule component, determining satisfiability of the rule model utilizing the abridged Exclude ZDD component, and utilizing results of the determining step during automated decision support to help guide the user to attain satisfiability of the rule. An apparatus that implements the aforementioned method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improvement in decision automation employing a ZDD rule model indicative of a business or engineering rule to provide decision support to a user. The computer-implemented improvement automatically identifies compliant inputs for the rule processing system according to at least one input initially supplied by a user, and is particularly useful for determining product configuration, engineering designs, various outcome of planning scenarios, etc. Once a user selects an initial value(s), remaining compliant values unique to the user-selected value(s) are automatically identified. The improvement reduces time required to manually select inputs. In one embodiment, the improvement includes an I/O interface to enable the user to choose and observe inputs, an autoselect ZDD constructed from compliant inputs of the rule model, and a ZDD processing module that processes said autoselect ZDD in order to provide for the user a set compliant inputs for the ZDD rule model according to the user input.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, apparatus therefore, and/or computer-readable medium to provide selection advice during rule processing to help a user choose desired specifications of a product, service or other rule-based system characterized by a ZDD rule model having one or more Include and/or Exclude rules. One aspect includes displaying on a monitor or other I/O device multiple attributes having multiple enumerations that identify possible feature, specifications, or conditions of a product; selecting multiple alternative enumerations of the attributes; determining a selection advice for each enumeration selected; combining the selection advice for each enumerations in order to produce a result; communicating the result to an end user; and then using the result to choose a product having desired compliant specifications or conditions. The product may include a service offering.

Abstract: An improvement comprising a computer-implemented method and apparatus thereof to validating combinations of product features that are compliant with an existing business rule relative to a modified business rule where modification thereof include at least one include ZDD rule component and/or an exclude ZDD rule component. The method comprises obtaining combinations of features compliant with the existing business rule, processing the combinations against a representation of the include ZDD rule component and/or exclude rule component to determine validity against the modified rule, and providing to a user, such as a product manager, an indication of validity of the combinations relative to the modification whereby to validate products having a set of user-selected criteria against a new or modified business rule.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of providing a list of product choices from products whose compatibility is characterized by a ZDD rule model having one or more Include or Exclude rules, where the list of product choices is provided in response to user-selected attributes and/or enumerations. The method comprises selecting attributes and enumerations thereof from a list of attributes and enumerations of the products, creating a ZDD sub-tree by scanning an Include ZDD rule and keeping paths having user-selected enumerations set, determining paths through the ZDD sub-tree terminating at a “one” node to produce potentially valid combinations, checking the potentially valid combinations against any Exclude ZDD rules to determine valid combinations and excluding combinations that are excluded under the Exclude ZDD rules, and providing the valid combinations to a user as an indication of valid product choice.

Abstract: A truck and trailer hub of the type having a cylindrical portion defining an aperture, whereby the hub is adapted for mounting on a spindle of an axle such as to be free to rotate on the spindle. The hub has a flange projecting outwardly from an outer surface of the cylindrical portion. The flange comprises throughbores therein, whereby the flange is adapted for securing a wheel and brake drum assembly thereto, such that the wheel and brake drum assembly can rotate with the hub and brake therewith when a brake member of the axle is actuated on a portion of the wheel and brake drum assembly by a cam shaft. The flange has at least one notch therein such that the cam shaft may be removed by pulling it through the notch without the hub requiring to be removed from the spindle.

Abstract: A truck and trailer hub of the type having a cylindrical portion defining an aperture, whereby the hub is adapted for mounting on a spindle of an axle such as to be free to rotate on the spindle. The hub has a flange projecting outwardly from an outer surface of the cylindrical portion. The flange comprises throughbores therein, whereby the flange is adapted for securing a wheel and brake drum assembly thereto, such that the wheel and brake drum assembly can rotate with the hub and brake therewith when a brake member of the axle is actuated on a portion of the wheel and brake drum assembly by a cam shaft. The flange has at least one notch therein such that the cam shaft may be removed by pulling it through the notch without the hub requiring to be removed from the spindle.