Portal Workflow Visualization via Control Portlet

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current web portals lack a mechanism to sequence existing portlets in a workflow, resulting in lost flexibility, reusability, and customization capabilities as existing portlets must be re-implemented into a single new portlet to achieve a specific sequence.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that manage a plurality of content portlets in a portal page by identifying a workflow for these portlets, using a control portlet to execute and visualize them in a specified sequence, allowing users to navigate through the tasks without major re-engineering of individual portlets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If existing portlets are re-implemented into a single new portlet to form a workflow sequence, then the workflow execution sequence is achieved, but the flexibility, reusability, and customization capabilities of individual portlets are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkflow execution sequenceVSAvoidportlet flexibility and reusability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the workflow into distinct tasks, where each task is associated with one or more existing portlets. This allows individual portlets to maintain their independence and reusability while being organized into a sequential workflow through the task-based structure. The workflow manager coordinates execution without requiring portlet re-implementation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The workflow manager acts as an intermediary between the user and the portlets. It provides the sequencing and coordination functionality without modifying the portlets themselves. The workflow manager handles the workflow execution sequence while portlets maintain their original flexibility and customization capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a mechanism is introduced to sequence existing portlets in a workflow, then flexibility and reusability are maintained, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveportlet reusabilityVSAvoidportal page structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The workflow manager provides multi-functional capabilities: it manages workflow sequencing, coordinates portlet execution, handles task navigation, and ensures data validation. By consolidating these functions into a single component, the system avoids the complexity of multiple separate mechanisms while maintaining portlet reusability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of modifying existing portlets to add sequencing capability, the system creates a virtual copy of the workflow execution logic through the workflow manager. This allows the original portlets to remain unchanged and reusable while the workflow manager provides the sequencing behavior through task associations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS7661061B2Visualization of collaborative portlet sequences

Publication Date: 2010.02.09 X CORP

AI summary

An improved method, apparatus, and computer usable code for managing a plurality of content portlets in a portal page. A workflow is identified for the plurality of content portlets in the portal page to form an identified workflow. The identified workflow specifies a sequence of tasks in which the plurality of content portlets is executed. A control portlet in the portal page controls execution of content portlets within the plurality of content portlets using the identified workflow.