Cloud Workflow Generator for Cross-Device Action Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in recreating and running workflows across different devices and operating systems, as workflows involving native actions require interactions with multiple systems and applications, making it challenging to complete tasks like printing, saving to cloud storage, and emailing, especially when using different devices or being away from home.
Innovation Solution
A system that transforms local workflows into cloud workflows by converting native actions into cloud actions, allowing workflows to be executed across various devices and operating systems by utilizing a cloud workflow generator that determines whether actions are native or cloud-based and completes necessary information to execute them on a server or user device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If workflows are executed locally on user devices using native actions, then device-specific functionality is utilized, but the workflow cannot be easily recreated or run on different devices and operating systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cloud workflow generator as an intermediary service that receives local workflows, converts them to cloud workflows, and enables execution across different devices. This mediator translates device-specific native actions into cloud-action based instructions, allowing workflows to be ported without requiring modifications to the original workflow definition or the target device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of direct device-to-device workflow execution with a cloud-based conversion system. Instead of workflows being natively executed on each device requiring specific hardware and software capabilities, the system substitutes this with a cloud service that converts and manages workflow execution, enabling cross-platform compatibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If workflows involve multiple native actions requiring interactions with different systems, then comprehensive functionality is achieved, but the difficulty of recreating workflows increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a copy of the workflow in a standardized cloud workflow format from the original local workflow. This cloud workflow copy preserves all the functionality and logic of the original workflow while using a universal action format that can be executed on any device, eliminating the need to recreate the workflow from scratch when moving between devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of workflow execution from device-specific native actions to cloud-action based instructions. This parameter change transforms the workflow from being device-bound to being platform-independent, allowing the same workflow definition to be executed consistently across different devices and operating systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If workflows are converted to cloud workflows, then cross-device execution is enabled, but information completeness and action availability must be determined
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary determination actions before workflow conversion to identify which actions can be translated to cloud actions and which require special handling. The cloud workflow generator analyzes each action in advance to assess information completeness and availability, preparing the workflow structure before actual conversion occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial conversion where not all actions in a workflow may be immediately convertible to cloud actions. The system converts actions to the extent possible (partial action) and handles remaining actions through appropriate fallback mechanisms or user guidance, ensuring maximum workflow functionality is preserved while maintaining cloud execution capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a machine readable storage medium storing instructions and a processor to execute the instructions. The instructions include receiving a local workflow including a native action from a first user device and determining whether information to execute the native action as a cloud action is complete. In response to determining that information for the native action is complete, determining whether a comparable cloud action is available for the native action. In response to determining that a comparable cloud action is available for the native action, saving the native action as a cloud action in a cloud work-flow. In response to determining that a comparable cloud action is not available for the native action or in response to determining that information to execute the native action is not complete, saving the native action as a local action in the cloud workflow.