Method for operating workflow diagram repository

Abstract

A method for operating a workflow diagram repository is provided. A method for providing a workflow diagram repository according to an embodiment of the present invention receives a prompt for task performance, generates a workflow diagram on the basis of the received prompt, stores the generated workflow diagram in a repository, and provides workflow diagrams accumulated in the repository. Accordingly, a user may explicitly verify means and procedures for tasks performed within the system.

Description

Workflow Repository Operation Method

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology for managing tasks performed within a system, and more specifically, to a method of operating the system so that the tasks performed by the system and the operations constituting them can be explicitly verified and utilized by a user.

[0002] For devices such as computers, machines, robots, and automobiles, the product seller specifies the inherent functions and specifications of the product through manuals or brochures.

[0003] However, manuals or brochures do not specify in detail the specific procedures or unit tasks involved in the work performed by the software within the product. Furthermore, this problem becomes even more difficult when machine-learned tasks or unit tasks are provided. This is because AI models trained through machine learning are typically structured in a way that makes it difficult to reverse-engineer their learned results.

[0004] Accordingly, in the case of systems that perform complex tasks, such as intelligent robots, there is a problem in that when an error occurs during the execution of a specific unit task and the error is not resolved and is repeated, it is difficult to resolve the error or even identify the cause, even if manuals or brochures are referred to.

[0005] The present invention has been devised to solve the aforementioned problems. The objective of the present invention is to provide a method for generating a Work Flow Graph specifying the means and procedures for performing tasks (functions) within a system using SW, AI, etc., and for managing and providing such graphs accumulated in a repository, as a means to enable a user to explicitly verify the means and procedures for performing tasks (functions) within the system.

[0006] A method for providing a workflow diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above objective comprises: a task execution system receiving a prompt for task execution; a task execution system generating a workflow diagram according to the input prompt; a task execution system storing the generated workflow diagram in a storage; and a task execution system providing the workflow diagrams accumulated in the storage.

[0007] The creation step may involve selecting tasks necessary for business execution and indicating the sequence of the selected tasks to generate a workflow diagram.

[0008] At least one of the tasks may consist of multiple detailed tasks arranged in a sequence of progress.

[0009] Tasks can be performed using at least one of an AI model, SW, or API.

[0010] The order of progress can be indicated by connecting the tasks with arrows.

[0011] The provision step may be to provide accumulated workflow diagrams as a graphic type where tasks are indicated by boxes and the order of progress by arrows.

[0012] The provision step may involve listing the accumulated workflow diagrams as a list of tasks and providing each task as a table type that lists the tasks.

[0013] The workflow diagrams provided during the provision phase can be used for at least one of verifying the tasks performed by the task execution system, verifying the tasks constituting the tasks, verifying whether the workflow diagram was generated in accordance with the prompt, verifying whether the task execution system performs the tasks normally, and verifying the cause of the task execution error.

[0014] The workflow diagrams provided during the provision phase can be provided as functional specifications when selling or leasing the business execution system.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present invention, a workflow diagram providing system is provided, characterized by comprising: an input unit for receiving a prompt for performing a task; a generation unit for generating a workflow diagram according to the input prompt; a storage unit for storing the generated workflow diagram; and a providing unit for providing workflow diagrams accumulated in the storage unit.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for providing a workflow diagram is provided, characterized by comprising: a step of a task execution system acquiring a workflow diagram; a step of a task execution system storing the acquired workflow diagram in a storage; and a step of a task execution system providing workflow diagrams accumulated in the storage.

[0017] According to another aspect of the present invention, a workflow diagram providing system is provided, characterized by comprising: an acquisition unit for acquiring a workflow diagram; a storage unit for storing the acquired workflow diagram; and a providing unit for providing workflow diagrams accumulated in the storage unit.

[0018] As described above, according to embodiments of the present invention, by generating a workflow diagram specifying the means and procedures for performing tasks, operating a repository for managing them, and providing the workflow diagrams accumulated in the repository to a user, the user can explicitly verify the means and procedures for tasks performed within the system using SW, AI, API, etc.

[0019] In addition, according to embodiments of the present invention, by providing a workflow diagram, the user can verify whether the system is properly performing tasks according to what they have requested or want, and can predict the future process of task execution.

[0020] Furthermore, according to embodiments of the present invention, by providing a workflow diagram, the user can infer the cause of errors occurring during the execution of system tasks, and the internal structure of the system, which was like a black box, is transformed into a white box, making verification, evaluation, and debugging of the system easier.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a method for generating / providing a workflow diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention,

[0022] Figure 2 shows the process of generating a workflow diagram based on the 'procedures' and 'means' generated by the inference AI model.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a method for mapping means and procedures into a flowchart,

[0024] Figure 4 shows the state in which business flowcharts are stored in the flowchart repository,

[0025] Figures 5 and 6 are examples of table-type workflow diagrams,

[0026] FIG. 7 is a task execution system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0028] An embodiment of the present invention presents a method for operating a Work Flow Graph Repository. This technology involves generating work flow graphs that specify the means and procedures for performing tasks (functions) carried out within a system by utilizing software, AI, APIs, etc., operating a repository to manage these graphs, and providing the work flow graphs accumulated in the repository to a user.

[0029] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the process of a method for generating / providing a workflow diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention. Each step illustrated in FIG. 1 is performed by a task execution system. A task execution system refers to a computer, machine, robot, vehicle, etc., for performing tasks instructed by a user using SW, AI, API, etc.

[0030] To generate a workflow diagram, the task execution system first receives a prompt from the user instructing the execution of a task (S110). In the input prompt, the task that the user wishes to receive through the task execution system is expressed as a string in human language.

[0031] Then, the task execution system generates a task flowchart according to the prompt entered in step S110 (S120). The generation of the task flowchart can be done by selecting tasks required for task execution and connecting the selected tasks with arrows to indicate the order of progress.

[0032] According to existing technology, 'inference AI models' such as OpenAI’s Chat GPT o1 and o3 can be generated by dividing them into 'procedures' and 'means' so that when a desired item is requested via a prompt, as shown on the left and center of FIG. 2, the means presented by the inference AI model can be processed as tasks and procedures in a sequence to form a workflow diagram, as shown on the right side of FIG. 2.

[0033] Figure 3 illustrates a method for mapping 'means' and 'procedures' into a flow graph. As shown, in the flow graph, 'means' are indicated in the form of rectangular boxes, and 'procedures' are indicated in the form of arrows in the order of progress. Meanwhile, the presented notation is merely an example and can be expressed differently; any notation is acceptable as long as it conveys the meaning of means and procedures. Additionally, similar to a flow graph, conditional branches or loops that execute cyclically or repeatedly may also be included in the procedures.

[0034] For example, if the prompt "I want to manage pests in the garden" is entered in step S110, the inference AI model in step S120 can present the tasks (means) for the "garden pest management" task by classifying them according to the sequence of execution (procedure) as follows, and a workflow diagram is generated from this.

[0035] Work: Garden Pest Management

[0036] - Task 1: Pest Detection

[0037] - Task 2: Decide on Extermination Method

[0038] - Task 3: Execute Pest Control

[0039] Task execution is performed through SW, AI, API, etc. For example, in the above task, Task 1 is performed by an AI model for object detection, Task 2 is performed by SW for determining pest control methods, and Task 3 is performed by an API that calls an application controlling a pest control spraying robot.

[0040] Referring again to FIG. 1, the explanation continues. After step S120, the task execution system stores the generated task flow diagrams in a repository (S130). As task execution by the task execution system continues, many task flow diagrams accumulate in the repository. FIG. 4 illustrates the state in which task flow diagrams are accumulated and stored in the repository.

[0041] Meanwhile, the workflow diagram stored in the repository can be updated (S140). The update at step S140 is optional and can be performed manually or automatically. A manual update is performed at the user's command and refers to the addition of tasks to constitute the workflow, or the modification or deletion of tasks to constitute the workflow.

[0042] Automatic updates refer to the task execution system voluntarily adding, modifying, or deleting work tasks. After performing a task, a score is calculated based on its success or user feedback, and based on this, the workflow diagram can be updated more efficiently and in line with the objective.

[0043] Subsequently, the task execution system can provide the task flow diagrams accumulated in the repository to the user (S150). Here, providing includes displaying the task flow diagrams through a display means and transmitting the task flow diagrams to an external device through a communication means.

[0044] The workflow diagram can be provided in a graphic type as shown in FIG. 4, as well as in a table type as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. The graphic type is a type that displays the workflow diagram as the flow diagram itself, while the table type is a type that lists the tasks and each task as a list. To provide the table type, it is required to generate prompts that explain the tasks and each task of the workflow diagram, and this can utilize an inference AI model.

[0045] The tasks in the list of workflow diagrams presented in Figures 5 and 6 are workflow diagrams accumulated in the repository during the process in which the 'garden management robot' creates and performs tasks. It can be confirmed that the robot is capable of performing a total of 15 tasks, ranging from '[Plant Management] Watering' to '[Visitor / Security Management] CCTV and Monitoring'.

[0046] In addition, it can be confirmed that when performing the '[Plant Management] Watering' task, three operations (from '1. Using the soil moisture sensor' to '3. Operating the automatic watering system') are performed sequentially.

[0047] In this way, the user can utilize the provided workflow diagram for various purposes (S160). More specific methods of utilization are as follows.

[0048] 1) Users can check what tasks the system performs and, furthermore, search for tasks they want.

[0049] 2) Users can verify what tasks (means) constitute a specific task they wish to perform or are interested in, and in what order it proceeds (procedure). From this perspective, the provided workflow diagrams can be used as the system's function specification. Furthermore, the accumulated workflow diagrams can also be provided to the user by the sales / rental company selling / renting the task execution system as the product's function specification.

[0050] 3) The user can check whether the workflow diagram was generated according to the prompt they entered, that is, according to the purpose they requested.

[0051] 4) The user can verify whether the system performs tasks normally according to the workflow diagram.

[0052] 5) If there is an error in the system's task execution, the user can identify the cause of the error in which task from the task flowchart.

[0053] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a task execution system according to another embodiment of the present invention. The task execution system according to an embodiment of the present invention is a system mounted on a computer, machine, robot, automobile, etc., and is configured to include a prompt input unit (210), a flowchart generation unit (220), a flowchart storage unit (230), a task execution unit (240), and a flowchart providing unit (250), as illustrated.

[0054] The prompt input unit (210) receives a prompt instructing the user to perform a task and transmits it to the flowchart generation unit (220). The flowchart generation unit (220) uses an inference AI model to generate a task flowchart based on the prompt entered through the prompt input unit (210).

[0055] The flowchart repository (230) is a repository that stores business flowcharts generated by the flowchart generation unit (220). The task execution unit (240) performs tasks that constitute the business flowcharts stored in the flowchart repository (230) using SW, AI, API, etc.

[0056] The flowchart providing unit (250) provides the work flowcharts accumulated in the flowchart storage (230) to the user by displaying them on a display or transmitting them to the user device.

[0057] Up to now, the method for operating the workflow repository has been explained in detail with reference to preferred embodiments.

[0058] In the above embodiment, a workflow diagram specifying the means and procedures for performing tasks is generated, a repository for managing them is operated, and the workflow diagrams accumulated in the repository are provided to the user, thereby enabling the user to explicitly verify the means and procedures for tasks performed within the system using SW, AI, APIs, etc.

[0059] In the above embodiment, it was assumed that the work consists of multiple tasks, but the depth of the work can be expanded. Specifically, it is possible to generate a detailed work flowchart by dividing the tasks constituting the work into smaller sub-tasks and organizing them into procedures and means. That is, the work is hierarchical, and the hierarchical depth can be implemented to be determined according to the attributes of the work.

[0060] Meanwhile, in the above embodiment, the workflow diagram was generated using an inference AI model. However, even when a workflow diagram is created by a human, the technical concept according to the embodiment of the present invention can be applied if the created workflow diagrams are accumulated and provided in a repository.

[0061] Meanwhile, it goes without saying that the technical concept of the present invention may also be applied to a computer-readable recording medium containing a computer program that enables the device and method according to the present embodiment to perform their functions. Furthermore, the technical concept according to various embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in the form of computer-readable code recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. A computer-readable recording medium may be any data storage device that can be read by a computer and store data. For example, a computer-readable recording medium may be a ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical disk, hard disk drive, etc. Additionally, computer-readable code or a program stored on a computer-readable recording medium may be transmitted through a network connected between computers.

[0062] Furthermore, although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. Various modifications are possible by those skilled in the art without departing from the essence of the invention as claimed in the claims, and such modifications should not be understood individually from the technical spirit or perspective of the present invention.

Claims

1. A step in which a task execution system receives a prompt for task execution; A step in which a task execution system generates a task flowchart according to an input prompt; A step in which the business execution system saves the generated business flow diagram to a repository; A method for providing a workflow diagram, characterized by including the step of a work execution system providing workflow diagrams accumulated in a repository.

2. In Claim 1, The generation step is, A method for providing a workflow diagram characterized by selecting tasks necessary for performing work, indicating the sequence of progress of the selected tasks, and generating a workflow diagram.

3. In Claim 2, At least one of the tasks is, A method for providing a workflow diagram characterized by multiple detailed tasks being organized in a sequence of progress.

4. In Claim 2, The works are, A method for providing a workflow diagram characterized by being performed using at least one of an AI model, SW, or API.

5. In Claim 2, The order of proceedings is, A method for providing a workflow diagram characterized by connecting tasks with arrows.

6. In Claim 5, The provision stage is, A method for providing a workflow diagram characterized by providing accumulated workflow diagrams as a graphic type in which tasks are indicated by boxes and the order of progress by arrows.

7. In Claim 2, The provision stage is, A method for providing a workflow diagram characterized by listing accumulated workflow diagrams as a list of tasks and providing each task as a table type that lists the tasks.

8. In Claim 2, The workflow diagrams provided during the provision phase are, A method for providing a workflow diagram characterized by being used in at least one of verifying the work performed by the work execution system, verifying the tasks constituting the work, verifying whether the workflow diagram was generated in accordance with the prompt, verifying whether the work execution system performs the work normally, and verifying the cause of the work execution error.

9. In Claim 2, The workflow diagrams provided during the provision phase are, A method for providing a workflow diagram characterized by being provided as a functional specification when selling or renting a business execution system.

10. Input section for receiving a prompt for performing a task; A generation unit that generates a workflow diagram based on an input prompt; A repository for storing generated workflow diagrams; A workflow diagram providing system characterized by including a providing unit that provides workflow diagrams accumulated in a repository.

11. A step in which the business execution system obtains a business flowchart; A step in which the business execution system stores the acquired business flowchart in a repository; A method for providing a workflow diagram, characterized by including the step of a work execution system providing workflow diagrams accumulated in a repository.

12. Acquisition unit for acquiring a workflow diagram; A storage for storing acquired workflow diagrams; A workflow diagram providing system characterized by including a providing unit that provides workflow diagrams accumulated in a repository.

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