Custom Workflow System Aggregates Application Screens
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Solution Overview
Problem
Software developers face challenges in designing user interfaces that are optimal for all users due to varying feature access patterns, leading to inefficiencies and increased time spent searching for desired features and application-screens.
Innovation Solution
A custom workflow system that aggregates frequently accessed application-screens, allowing users to create and save personalized workflows, which can be executed based on user profiles and usage statistics, improving productivity by streamlining repetitive processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If software developers design a comprehensive user interface with hundreds of features and application-screens to support all possible workflows, then the software product can accommodate diverse user needs, but users experience difficulty finding desired features and spending excessive time searching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the comprehensive set of application-screens into multiple custom workflows. Each workflow is a curated subset of screens relevant to specific user tasks. Users can create, save, and switch between different workflows (e.g., 'Daily Workflow,' 'Weekly Workflow') to access only the screens needed for their current task, eliminating the need to search through hundreds of screens.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically monitoring and analyzing user interactions with the software to pre-identify frequently accessed application-screens. Based on this analysis, the system proactively generates suggested custom workflows that aggregate these screens, preparing organized workflow structures before users need them, thus reducing search time from the outset.
2Loss of time
If software developers create a simplified user interface with fewer features to reduce search time, then users can find features quickly, but the software cannot support all user workflows and usage patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the user interface configurable and adaptive rather than static. The system dynamically generates custom workflows based on monitored usage patterns, allowing the interface to evolve and adapt to each user's specific needs. Users can also manually create and customize workflows, making the system flexible enough to support diverse workflows while maintaining a simplified view for each user.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs self-service by automatically monitoring user interactions, analyzing usage patterns, and generating suggested custom workflows without requiring developer intervention for each user. The system serves itself by identifying which screens are frequently accessed and automatically organizing them into workflows, reducing the burden on both developers and users while maintaining comprehensive workflow support.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system monitors and analyzes user usage patterns to generate custom workflows, then workflows can be tailored to user needs, but additional time and resources are required for monitoring and analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies continuity of useful action by implementing continuous, passive monitoring of user interactions in the background. The monitoring occurs continuously as users naturally work with the software, capturing usage data without interrupting their workflow. This continuous collection of data over time enables accurate identification of patterns and generation of personalized workflows based on actual usage behavior rather than requiring separate analysis sessions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by using monitored usage data to generate suggested custom workflows and presenting these suggestions to users. The feedback loop allows the system to learn from user interactions, analyze patterns, and continuously improve workflow recommendations. This automated feedback mechanism enables personalized workflows to be created based on actual usage patterns without requiring manual analysis, reducing the time and resources needed.
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for creating a custom workflow which facilitates performing repetitive processes by aggregating application-screens. During operation, the system receives a request from a client to open an application-screen for an application. In response to the request, the system opens the application-screen. Next, the system receives a request to add the application-screen to a custom workflow. In response to the request, the system adds the application-screen to the custom workflow.