Java, a 'pattern' is a bunch of flights put together to make a trip. It will take into account all CAOs, award limits, some 'humanising' rules and so on. A whole bunch of different 'patterns' then make up your roster which is called (duh) a 'pattern line'. Rosters without any patterns are (duh) a 'blank line'.
There is often a degree of criticism at QF about the quality of both individual patterns (which could have anywhere between two and 20ish sectors of flying on them) and the pattern lines that are put together.
As an example, the machine recently spat out HKG-MEL-SYD sectors for a 13:50 tour of duty. Doesn't sound too hard with a three man crew but when you sign on at about 2200 EST and go all night the complexion changes a bit. That would be a gripe against the system.