Centralized Workflow Service for Real-Time Scheduling Overlap Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional systems fail to provide real-time transparency and efficient communication of workflow changes across disparate client devices, leading to inefficiencies and poor resource management due to historic and static data, which are not updated in real-time, and lack coordinated communication among interdisciplinary teams.

Innovation Solution

A centrally managed workflow service that utilizes automated location tracking and a central server to determine overlaps and gaps in scheduling milestones, automatically updating display elements on client devices with real-time data, enabling real-time tracking and visualization of workflow progress and changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If conventional systems use historic and static data for workflow management, then system complexity is reduced, but real-time transparency and communication efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidreal-time transparency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from static historical data to dynamic real-time data collection and communication. Sensors continuously monitor workflow parameters and automatically update client devices, ensuring information remains current without requiring complex manual updates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A centralized server acts as an intermediary between sensors and client devices. The server collects data from sensors, processes it, and distributes relevant information to appropriate client devices, reducing overall system complexity while enabling real-time transparency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If manual entry methods are used for workflow updates, then device complexity is minimized, but productivity and communication efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidworkflow throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service automation where sensors automatically detect workflow status changes and trigger communications to client devices without requiring manual intervention. This eliminates manual entry while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical entry processes are replaced with automated electronic sensing and communication systems. Sensors detect physical workflow states and automatically transmit data digitally, replacing manual writing and phone calls with automated electronic updates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If real-time tracking and automated communication systems are implemented, then productivity and real-time transparency are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkflow throughputVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into independent functional modules: sensors for data collection, a centralized server for processing and coordination, and client devices for display and interaction. This modular segmentation manages complexity by allowing each component to be developed and maintained independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The centralized server performs multiple functions including data collection from sensors, data processing, communication coordination, and client device management. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized systems, managing overall complexity while enabling real-time tracking and communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Device complexity

If modular electronic records and scheduling systems operate independently, then device complexity is reduced, but communication efficiency and coordination deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidcommunication transparency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

Previously independent modular systems (electronic records, scheduling, communication) are merged into a unified system centered around a centralized server. This server coordinates data flow between all modules, ensuring information transparency while maintaining the functional benefits of modular architecture through standardized interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11961051B1Integrated system for producing procedural data change sets communicated to client devices

Publication Date: 2024.04.16 TELETRACKING TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

An embodiment provides a method, including: obtaining, via a server, a set of event data corresponding to a milestone; automatically determining, using a central service implemented in the server processor and without additional user input, an overlap between said set of event data and a predetermined scheduling milestone indicating an event overlap; identifying, using the central service a processor, one or more display elements impacted by the event overlap; and automatically updating, using the central service and in real-time during the patient procedure, the one or more display elements according to the overlap. Other embodiments are described and claimed.