Mobile Process Model Segmentation for Real-Time Collaboration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current business process design collaboration tools do not adequately support initial phases, such as brainstorming, due to limitations in mobile device compatibility and the inability to effectively capture and preserve meta-data from face-to-face meetings, leading to inefficiencies in process modeling.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for collaborative process modeling on mobile devices, enabling visualization and interaction with process models using touch gestures, sensors, and integration with existing web-based tools, allowing for real-time collaboration and data capture across various stages of process design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If web-based collaboration tools are used for initial brainstorming phases, then real-time collaboration and model synchronization are improved, but mobile device compatibility and accessibility are worsened due to small screen restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The process model is divided into multiple views (overview view showing model boundaries and connections, detailed view showing internal elements). This segmentation allows the system to display different portions of the model on mobile devices with limited screen space, enabling both collaboration and detailed examination without requiring full model visibility at once.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces temporal dimension through progressive disclosure - users can navigate between overview and detailed views at different times. The system loads and displays model elements progressively as users navigate, rather than requiring all elements to be visible simultaneously. This transforms the spatial limitation into a temporal navigation experience.
2Adaptability or versatility
If paper-based whiteboard brainstorming is used, then initial idea capture and face-to-face collaboration are improved, but information preservation and digital integration are worsened due to loss of metadata and difficulty in digital conversion
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a digital replica of the whiteboard brainstorming experience by displaying stored model elements and their relationships on mobile devices. Instead of photographing paper notes, the actual digital model data is reproduced on mobile screens, preserving all metadata including authorship, timestamps, and structural relationships while maintaining the collaborative feel.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device acts as an intermediary between the centralized process model and the users. It retrieves and displays model data from the server, enabling users to interact with the digital model in a way that feels like direct collaboration while actually connecting to the centralized repository through the mobile interface.
3Area of stationary object
If laptops are required for collaborative process design, then screen real estate and model visibility are improved, but mobility and accessibility are worsened due to carrying requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The process model visualization is segmented into overview view (showing model boundaries and connections between sub-processes) and detailed view (showing internal elements of selected sub-processes). This allows mobile devices to display meaningful portions of the model without requiring full-screen real estate, enabling collaboration on smaller screens.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device is designed to perform multiple functions: displaying process models, capturing photos of physical artifacts, recording audio comments, and synchronizing data with the centralized model. This multi-functionality replaces the need for separate laptops while providing adequate display capabilities through selective view rendering.
4Loss of information
If photos of whiteboards are taken to capture brainstorming results, then physical meeting documentation is improved, but digital model creation efficiency is worsened due to error-prone OCR and loss of structure
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of creating models from photos through OCR, the system directly displays and edits the actual digital model data on mobile devices. The digital copy already exists in the system with full metadata and structure intact, eliminating the need for photo capture and OCR conversion while preserving all information.
Solution Approach 2:
The process model is created and stored in digital form before the meeting takes place. During the meeting, users review and annotate the pre-existing digital model on mobile devices rather than creating it from scratch after photographing whiteboards. This preliminary digital preparation eliminates post-meeting transcription work and OCR errors.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention may provide a method for presenting a design model on a computing device. The method may comprise using a computer processor to identify relationships among a plurality of model entities of the design model, to present a model view area to display a selected view of the design model on a display area of the computing device; and to present a view switch containing a plurality of view options. The plurality of view options may include a shape flow view. In the shape flow view, the model view area may display a detailed view of a model entity currently in focus and symbol(s) representing neighboring model entities in horizontal and/or vertical directions.