Dynamic Workflow Generation for IoT Task Coordination

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Users face challenges in efficiently performing multiple tasks across connected IoT devices, as existing systems lack a structured approach to manage and execute complex workflows, leading to inconvenience and incomplete task completion due to random task execution and forgotten sub-tasks.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for generating a dynamic workflow of tasks, where devices analyze user inputs to identify necessary tasks, create a graphical interface for task execution, and allow users to interact with workflow nodes to perform actions sequentially or in parallel, enhancing user experience by organizing tasks into intuitive, device-specific actions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If tasks are executed randomly across IoT devices without structured workflow management, then device independence and flexibility are maintained, but task completion reliability and user experience deteriorate due to forgotten sub-tasks and incomplete objectives

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetask completion reliabilityVSAvoidworkflow management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a workflow management system that acts as an intermediary between user inputs and IoT device executions. This mediator analyzes user inputs, generates structured workflows with multiple nodes representing sub-tasks, and coordinates their execution across devices, ensuring reliable task completion without requiring users to manually manage complex device interactions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments complex tasks into multiple workflow nodes, where each node represents a specific sub-task to be executed by particular devices. This segmentation allows the system to track and manage each sub-task individually, ensuring complete objective achievement while maintaining device independence through structured coordination

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If multiple tasks are managed through unstructured notifications from different applications, then device independence is maintained, but ease of operation deteriorates due to lack of logical organization and progress tracking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetask execution easeVSAvoidsystem integration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal workflow management interface that can handle multiple types of tasks and notifications from different applications through a single structured system. This multi-functional approach simplifies user interaction by providing consistent logical organization and progress tracking across diverse tasks, while the backend handles the complexity of integrating multiple device types and notification sources

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of information

If tasks are executed without visual progress indication, then system simplicity is maintained, but user awareness and operational control deteriorate due to inability to track completion status

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetask progress informationVSAvoidinterface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs visual indicators including color changes in the user interface to represent different task progress states. Workflow nodes change color or display visual cues to indicate completion status, allowing users to quickly assess progress and understand system state without complex information displays, balancing information provision with interface simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentEP3622459B1Method and apparatus for generating workflow
Publication Date: 2022.11.16 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3622459B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3622459B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3622459B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A method and an apparatus for enhancing user experience while performing an event using a plurality of devices connected to each other is provided. The method includes analyzing an event extracted from an input received by the device, identifying the at least one task to be performed based on the analyzing of the event, generating a workflow corresponding to the identified at least one task, selecting at least one node of the workflow corresponding to the generated workflow, and performing an action, by an application installed in or connected to the device, in response to a the selection of at least one node of the workflow.