NortonLifeLock Inc.
Optimizing networks of decision nodes

Abstract:

A method for optimizing network decision nodes is described. In one embodiment, the method includes generating an initial network of decision nodes constructed according to one or more rules, rearranging one or more decision nodes of the initial network based at least in part on a conversion of the one or more rules to a disjunctive normal form, analyzing the rearranged network of decision nodes in an upstream direction, and optimizing the rearranged network by merging two or more decision nodes of the rearranged network based at least in part on the analysis of the rearranged network. In some cases, the decision nodes include one or more levels of parent nodes and child nodes, each level of child nodes being connected to respective parent nodes. In some cases, the upstream direction is in a direction from the child nodes to the parent nodes.