Business Flow Modification via Step Segmentation and Linking

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing business systems that use text-based configuration files for defining design information on electronic documents struggle with versatility in changing business flows, as recreating the system renders previous business flows unusable, making it difficult to maintain or modify existing workflows.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus and system that allows for the customization and registration of business flows by presenting each step of the flow, receiving changes, linking the modified steps to the original flow, and registering them as a new flow, enabling the use of both original and modified workflows simultaneously.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the system is recreated to change the business flow, then the business flow can be changed, but the previous business flow cannot be used

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebusiness flow changeabilityVSAvoidloss of previous business flow

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the business flow into multiple independent steps that can be individually selected and modified. Each step is a discrete unit that can be changed without affecting the entire business flow, allowing partial modification while preserving other steps. This segmentation enables the system to maintain previous business flows while creating new variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of business flow configuration from system-level recreation to step-level selection. By allowing users to select specific steps from a plurality of available steps and configure them in desired sequences, the system enables flexible modification of business flows without recreating the entire system, thus preserving access to previous flows.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If text-based configuration files are used to define design information, then screen configuration can be changed, but business flow cannot be easily changed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescreen configuration flexibilityVSAvoidbusiness flow changeability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal configuration mechanism that handles both screen configuration and business flow configuration through the same interface paradigm. The step selection interface serves multiple functions: it configures business flow sequences, manages step definitions, and enables both screen and process customization through a unified system, eliminating the limitation where only screen configuration was easily changeable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20230132868A1Information processing apparatus, information processing system, non-transitory computer readable medium storing information processing program, and information processing method

Publication Date: 2023.05.04 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

An information processing apparatus includes a processor configured to perform a process including presenting each step of a business flow including a plural steps registered in advance, receiving steps from start to end of a change of the business flow, as a change target, and changing the received change target, linking the changed change target to the business flow before the change, and registering the linked business flow as a new business flow.