System and user interface supporting use of customizable expressions by applications

Abstract

A user friendly interface system enables a user to incorporate, in an executable application, custom decision logic in the form of an expression involving a high-level script language. A system for providing a user interface display image supporting user entry of an expression involves a user interface menu generator for providing a displayable image. The displayable image includes a first image window listing a plurality of selectable data items available for incorporation in an expression as well as an image prompt element. The image prompt element permits user entry of the expression and incorporation of a data item in an entered expression from the listed data items to provide a resultant expression in response to user selection of the data item in the first image window. The displayable image also includes an icon for initiating storing of the resultant expression. The system also involves an expression processor for processing the resultant expression to provide a result in response to user selection of the icon for initiating processing. Other display windows allow user selection of an expression name and an algebraic operator and indicate allowable data item values.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A system for providing a user interface display image supporting user entry of an expression, comprising: 
 a user interface menu generator for providing a displayable image including, 
 a first image window listing a plurality of selectable data items available for incorporation in an expression,  
 an image prompt element for permitting user entry of said expression and for incorporating a data item in an entered expression from said listed data items to provide a resultant expression in response to user selection of said data item in said first image window, and  
 an icon for initiating storing of said resultant expression; and  
   an expression processor for processing said resultant expression to provide a result in response to user command.    
     
     
         2 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 said expression processor resolves said resultant expression to provide a result comprising at least one of, (a) a verification said resultant expression is true and (b) a computed value.    
     
     
         3 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 said expression processor interprets said resultant expression to provide search parameters for use in identifying records in a database and provides an indication of said identified records as said result in response to a search of said database.    
     
     
         4 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 said expression processor verifies an entered expression is valid and generates an indication as said result identifying said entered expression is invalid.    
     
     
         5 . A system according to  claim 4 , wherein 
 said expression processor initiates generation of a displayed notification to a user indicating said entered expression is invalid.    
     
     
         6 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 said displayable image includes an icon for initiating verification an entered expression is valid.    
     
     
         7 . A system according to  claim 6 , wherein 
 said verification includes a syntax check of said entered expression.    
     
     
         8 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 said displayable image includes an image prompt element supporting user entry of a name for identifying a resultant expression.    
     
     
         9 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 said user interface menu generator provides an image window permitting user selection of a template expression from a plurality of predetermined template expressions.    
     
     
         10 . A system according to  claim 9 , wherein 
 said image prompt element incorporates a selected template expression in response to user selection of said selected template expression.    
     
     
         11 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 said first image window lists a plurality of selectable data items in a hierarchical structure.    
     
     
         12 . A system according to  claim 11 , wherein 
 said plurality of selectable data items are associated with user accessible data item descriptions.    
     
     
         13 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 said system supports storage and retrieval of a resultant expression.    
     
     
         14 . A system for providing a user interface display image supporting user entry of an expression for use in deriving information associated with a patient, comprising: 
 a user interface menu generator for providing a displayable image including, 
 a first image window listing a plurality of selectable data items available for incorporation in an expression, said plurality of selectable data items identifying at least one of, (a) a patient, (b) a patient physical characteristic, (c) patient address information and (d) patient medical record information,  
 an image prompt element permitting user entry of said expression and for incorporating a data item in said expression from said listed data items to provide a resultant expression in response to user selection of said data item in said first image window, and  
 an icon for initiating storing of said resultant expression; and  
   an expression processor for resolving said resultant expression to provide a result in response to user command.    
     
     
         15 . A system according to  claim 14 , wherein 
 said expression includes an algebraic expression portion including one or more algebraic operators, and    said user interface menu generator provides an image window permitting user selection of an algebraic expression operator from a plurality of predetermined algebraic expression operators including at least two of (a) a multiplication operator, (b) a division operator, (c) an addition operator and (d) a subtraction operator.    
     
     
         16 . A system according to  claim 14 , wherein 
 said user interface menu generator provides an image window indicating at least one of, (a) an acceptable parameter and (b) an acceptable value, associated with a data item selected by a user via said first image window.    
     
     
         17 . A system for providing a user interface display image supporting user entry of an expression, comprising: 
 a user interface menu generator for providing a displayable image including, 
 a first image window listing a plurality of selectable data items available for incorporation in an expression,  
 an image prompt element permitting user entry of said expression and for incorporating a data item in said entered expression from said listed data items to provide a resultant expression in response to user selection of said data item in said first image window,  
 an icon for initiating verification of said resultant expression to determine said resultant expression is valid, and  
 an icon for initiating storing of a valid resultant expression; and  
   an expression processor for resolving said valid resultant expression to provide a result in response to user command.    
     
     
         18 . A system according to  claim 17 , wherein 
 said system for providing a user interface display image comprises machine executable code stored on a tangible storage medium.    
     
     
         19 . A method for providing a user interface display image supporting user entry of an expression, comprising the steps of: 
 initiating display of an image including, 
 a first image window listing a plurality of selectable data items available for incorporation in an expression,  
 an image prompt element permitting user entry of said expression and for incorporating a data item in said entered expression from said listed data items to provide a resultant expression in response to user selection of said data item in said first image window, and  
 an icon for initiating verification of said resultant expression to determine said resultant expression is valid, and  
 an icon for initiating storing of said resultant expression; and  
   verifying said resultant expression is valid in response to user selection of said icon for initiating verification.