Dynamic Interprocess Communication Thumbnails for Workflow Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Business process designers face difficulties in understanding and managing complex sub-processes within workflows, as existing graphical software struggles to provide clear representations of their functions.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic, live thumbnail representation system is developed, utilizing an interprocess-communication link creator and thumbnail display module to visually represent sub-processes, allowing designers to easily comprehend and interact with sub-processes within a business process design system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If graphical business process design software is used to create workflows, then business processes can be visualized and managed, but complex sub-processes become difficult to understand and remember
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates thumbnail copies of complex sub-processes that can be displayed alongside the main process flow. These thumbnails are simplified visual representations that capture the essential functionality of sub-processes, making them easier to understand and remember without requiring designers to dive into the full complexity of each sub-process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the business process visualization into multiple levels: the main process flow and embedded thumbnails of sub-processes. This segmentation allows designers to see the overall process structure while having access to detailed views of specific sub-processes through the thumbnails, reducing cognitive load.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple processes are combined into a single executable process, then processes of greater complexity can be created, but it becomes difficult to understand the functions of sub-processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested visualization structure where thumbnails of sub-processes are embedded within the main process flow diagram. Each thumbnail acts as a container that can be expanded to reveal more details, allowing designers to maintain an overview of the entire process while having immediate access to sub-process information without losing context.
Solution Approach 2:
The thumbnail acts as an intermediary between the main process view and the detailed sub-process view. It provides a simplified representation that mediates the transition from high-level process overview to detailed sub-process functionality, allowing designers to understand sub-process roles without being overwhelmed by complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides methods and apparatuses for generating a dynamic, live thumbnail representation of the underlying process. Using the methods and apparatus herein, users can easily understand the functions of a sub-process.