Distributed Workflow Management via Centralized Server Mediation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems lack efficient methods for implementing and auditing workflows among remotely located individuals using handheld devices, particularly in scenarios where tasks require coordination and just-in-time training, and ensuring satisfactory task completion.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing handheld devices that interact with a central server to manage and audit workflows, providing just-in-time training and enabling remote users to complete tasks independently while ensuring compliance and tracking through a centralized management module, audit function, and learning modules stored locally on the devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If remote users coordinate tasks through simple conversation, then ease of operation is maintained, but reliability of task completion and auditability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a centralized server as an intermediary between remote users, which mediates task allocation, workflow coordination, and audit tracking. This server acts as a neutral mediator that receives task inputs from users, enforces workflow rules, and maintains audit logs, thereby providing reliable task completion tracking without requiring direct complex coordination between users.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the centralized server provides real-time status updates to users about task completion, workflow progression, and audit results. This feedback loop ensures that users are informed of task states without needing constant direct communication, while the system simultaneously maintains reliable records of all task completions and coordination actions.
2Productivity
If computer implemented technologies are used to automate workflow, then productivity is improved, but ease of operation for remote interaction deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service automation where users can independently access their assigned tasks through handheld devices, view workflow status, and complete tasks without requiring manual coordination with others. The centralized server automatically manages task allocation, tracks completion, and enforces workflow rules, allowing users to work autonomously while maintaining high productivity through automated processes.
3Reliability
If centralized workflow control is implemented, then reliability of workflow completion is improved, but device complexity and system infrastructure requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The centralized server acts as an intermediary that consolidates workflow control logic, audit tracking, and task management functions. This single intermediary point simplifies the overall system architecture by centralizing complexity in one location while keeping individual user devices simple and easy to use. The server handles all complex coordination and control operations, allowing reliable workflow completion without requiring complex infrastructure at each user endpoint.
4Reliability
If audit functions are added to track task completion, then reliability of task completion is improved, but device complexity and processing requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the audit processing functionality from individual user devices and relocates it to the centralized server. User devices simply report task completion status to the server, while the server performs all audit processing, validation, and record-keeping. This extraction eliminates the need for complex audit processing capabilities on handheld devices while maintaining comprehensive auditability of all task completions.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer implemented distributed workflow system includes a central server containing a management module and a datastore for storing workflow modules each having identifiable allocatable tasks requiring user input to complete. The management module is configured to define the workflow and manage the creation and distribution of the identifiable allocated tasks to one or more remote users, each having an associated handheld device and a locally stored application executable on the handheld device. Processing by the remote user of the identifiable allocated task is in response to a task initiation communication from the central server, which communicates with the remote handheld devices over a communications network. A user interface on the handheld device which facilitates data entry when the user completes the allocated task.