Inversion of Control Framework for Process Model Rendering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional management systems lack flexibility in designing and modifying enterprise processes, as they typically provide static views and operations that do not adapt to individual business needs, leading to inefficient and inflexible business planning.
Innovation Solution
An inversion of control (IoC) framework is implemented on the client-side, allowing control of process model rendering and behavior to be passed from a server to a client, with view descriptors defining how the process model is rendered and behaves, enabling users to select and apply different process modes for designing, viewing, or simulating processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If control of process model rendering and behavior is centralized on the server, then system management is simplified, but flexibility and adaptability for individual business needs are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies inversion of control by reversing the traditional server-centric control model. Instead of the server controlling the rendering and behavior of process models, the client device gains control through view descriptors that define how process models are rendered and behave locally. This inversion enables flexibility and adaptability for individual business needs while distributing system complexity from the server to the client.
2Ease of operation
If multiple process modes are provided with different views, then user flexibility is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the process model management into distinct process modes (design mode, view mode, simulate mode) with specific view descriptors for each. This segmentation allows users to select appropriate modes for different tasks, improving ease of operation. The complexity is managed by organizing view descriptors into mode-specific configurations rather than a monolithic system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different process modes based on user selection. Each mode activates specific view descriptors that define the rendering and behavior characteristics for that mode. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt its complexity to user needs, providing flexibility without permanently increasing system complexity.
3Speed
If process models are modified at the client device, then responsiveness to business needs is improved, but data consistency with the server may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the server provide the authoritative process model data to the client before client-side modifications are made. The view descriptors and process modes are configured in advance based on server-provided data, ensuring that client-side responsiveness does not compromise data consistency. The server maintains the source of truth while enabling fast client-side rendering and mode switching.
Data Source
AI summary
Implementations generally relate to providing process modes. In some implementations, a method includes receiving view descriptors at a client device, where the view descriptors define how a process model is rendered and define how the process model behaves when rendered. The method further includes storing the view descriptors at the client device. The method further includes receiving, at the client device, a process mode selection from a user, where the process mode selection selects a process mode of a plurality of process modes, and where the selected process mode is associated with a set of the view descriptors. The method further includes retrieving the process model from a server. The method further includes applying the process model at the client device based on the set of the view descriptors associated with the selected process mode.