Behavior Tree Workflow Building for Unified Service Execution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current workflow systems rely on text descriptions, which are challenging for users to execute, leading to increased costs, reduced efficiency, and limited flexibility due to the need for multiple engineering tools with different user operation behaviors.

Innovation Solution

A workflow generation method and system that uses a graphical user interface (GUI) for constructing behavior trees, allowing users to visually create workflows by adding and connecting function block nodes, which are associated with resources for executing service operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If text descriptions are used for workflows, then workflows can be documented, but users face difficulty in execution and require multiple engineering tools

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkflow execution clarityVSAvoidnumber of engineering tools

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The workflow is segmented into discrete behavior tree nodes that can be independently configured and connected. Each node represents a specific operation or decision point, allowing the workflow to be broken down into manageable, executable units that map directly to system actions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A behavior tree construction interface serves as an intermediary between text descriptions and system execution. This interface translates textual workflow definitions into structured behavior trees, eliminating the need for users to manually handle multiple engineering tools while preserving the documented workflow information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple engineering tools are used for workflow execution, then comprehensive functionality is achieved, but user operation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkflow functionalityVSAvoiduser operation behavior consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The behavior tree construction interface provides universal functionality by consolidating multiple engineering tool capabilities into a single unified platform. Users can perform workflow definition, configuration, validation, and execution within one interface, eliminating the need to switch between different tools and their varying operation behaviors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If text-based workflows are used, then documentation is simple, but execution efficiency is reduced due to manual following requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkflow documentation simplicityVSAvoidworkflow execution efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The behavior tree construction interface enables workflows to be self-executing by automatically translating the constructed behavior trees into executable instructions. The system interprets and carries out the workflow operations without requiring users to manually follow text descriptions, thereby maintaining documentation simplicity while dramatically improving execution efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If manual workflow execution is required, then flexibility in understanding is maintained, but development cycle increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkflow interpretation flexibilityVSAvoiddevelopment cycle

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The behavior tree construction interface performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring workflow logic, validation rules, and execution parameters during the workflow definition phase. This preliminary structuring eliminates the need for time-consuming manual interpretation and setup during execution, reducing the development cycle while maintaining flexibility through the configurable behavior tree structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250165305A1Workflow Generation Method and System

Publication Date: 2025.05.22 SIEMENS AG

AI summary

Various embodiments include a workflow generation method. An example includes: receiving a behavior tree construction operation entered on a graphical user interface (GUI) by a user, including an addition operation and a line connection operation performed on behavior tree nodes comprising function block nodes, one behavior tree is used for representing one workflow of service operations to be executed by resources in one workcell, and the function block nodes are used for implementing the service operations in the workflow; instantiating the behavior tree nodes and establishing connection relationships among the nodes in response to the construction operation, wherein some or all of the instantiated function block nodes are associated with resources for executing corresponding service operations; and generating a behavior tree corresponding to one workflow using the connection relationships among the tree nodes.