Automated Conversational Workflow Generation for Chatbots

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Solution Overview

Problem

Service providers face challenges in efficiently generating conversational workflows for chatbots and automated computing processes across multiple electronic communication channels, requiring significant time and computing resources for manual creation and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

An automated workflow generation platform that allows internal users to input initial workflow data, which is then processed by a conversational AI system to dynamically create classes, parse conversational workflows, and inject endpoints, reducing the need for manual coding and enabling faster deployment across various channels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual creation of conversational workflows is used, then workflow customization and precision are improved, but time consumption and computing resources increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworkflow customization precisionVSAvoidworkflow creation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-defining workflow templates, conversational AI models, and endpoint configurations that can be automatically instantiated. This allows the system to generate workflows quickly without requiring manual creation from scratch, thus reducing time consumption while maintaining customization through template selection and parameter adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs copying by replicating proven workflow patterns and conversational flows into new workflows. Existing successful workflows serve as templates that can be copied and adapted to similar scenarios, significantly reducing the time and resources needed to create new workflows while maintaining high precision through template-based consistency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If manual creation of conversational workflows is used, then workflow accuracy and control are improved, but computing resources and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworkflow execution reliabilityVSAvoidworkflow system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system achieves universality by creating a multi-functional platform that handles workflow definition, conversational AI integration, endpoint mapping, and execution monitoring through a single unified system. This reduces overall system complexity compared to separate specialized tools, while maintaining reliability through integrated quality control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The workflow generation system performs self-service by automatically generating workflows based on input requirements without requiring extensive manual configuration. The system self-configures endpoints, maps data fields, and generates execution code, reducing the complexity burden on users while maintaining reliable execution through automated validation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If automated workflow generation is used, then deployment speed and efficiency are improved, but workflow customization and precision may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworkflow deployment speedVSAvoidworkflow customization precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies dynamics by enabling flexible configuration of workflow parameters, conversational responses, and endpoint mappings even within automated generation. Users can dynamically adjust generated workflows through intuitive interfaces, allowing high deployment speed combined with precise customization through parameter tuning and workflow editing capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by allowing modification of workflow parameters such as conversational tone, response timing, data field mappings, and endpoint configurations after automated generation. This enables the system to maintain high productivity through automation while achieving precise customization by adjusting specific parameters without requiring complete workflow redesign.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20240394098A1Automated generation of conversational workflows for automation chatbots
Publication Date: 2024.11.28 PAYPAL INC
  • US20240394098A1 patent drawing
  • US20240394098A1 patent drawing
  • US20240394098A1 patent drawing

AI summary

There are provided systems and methods for automated generation of conversational workflows for automation chatbots. A service provider, such as an electronic transaction processor for digital transactions, may provide self-service channels for assistance through chatbot and other automated computing processes. In order to facilitate deployment of new automated skills, a conversational workflow generator may be provided to internal users of the service provider that allows for automated construction of conversational workflows. The generator may process input REST endpoints, request and response parameters, and workflow diagram to generate Java classes and code. The generator may then connect to a conversational AI platform using the code, which may generate the conversational workflow through dialog and a dialog tree that is mapped to the workflow diagram. The conversational workflow may then be implemented in a chatbot to provide automated services through conversational dialog.