Real-time Voting Authorization in Autonomic Workflow Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current authorization processes in electronic communication systems are time-consuming and require significant human intervention, especially for real-time requests and dynamic group membership changes, as they rely on manual channel creation and third-party authorization, which is inefficient and asynchronous.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a real-time peer or group-based authorization method using publish-subscribe messaging technology that allows for automated voting based on predefined rule sets, enabling immediate processing of authorization requests without human intervention, and allowing for anonymous or weighted voting to manage membership and create electronic forums.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual channel creation and third-party authorization are used, then security and control are maintained, but the process is time-consuming and requires significant human intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service authorization where users can autonomously create channels and manage membership through automated voting mechanisms. The publish-subscribe system allows users to subscribe to channels and vote on authorization requests without requiring manual intervention from third-party administrators, thus maintaining security through predefined rules while eliminating time-consuming manual processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an automated voting system as an intermediary between users and authorization decisions. Instead of direct manual approval, the system uses a publish-subscribe mechanism where authorization requests are published, voted upon by relevant users, and automatically processed based on predefined rules. This intermediary layer maintains control and security while enabling real-time automated decision-making.
2Productivity
If real-time authorization is implemented, then processing speed is improved, but system complexity increases due to automated voting mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The publish-subscribe system serves multiple functions: it publishes authorization requests, collects votes from subscribers, processes results according to predefined rules, and executes authorization decisions. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems for each function, reducing overall system complexity while enabling real-time processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses parameter-based control where authorization rules are defined as configurable parameters (voting thresholds, time limits, subscriber criteria). By changing these parameters rather than restructuring the system, the patent enables flexible real-time authorization without increasing fundamental system complexity. The same infrastructure handles different authorization scenarios by adjusting parameter values.
3Extent of automation
If automated voting systems are used, then human intervention is reduced, but the extent of automation increases system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service automation where the publish-subscribe infrastructure automatically publishes authorization requests to all relevant subscribers, collects votes, processes results against predefined rules, and executes decisions without human intervention. The automation leverages existing messaging system capabilities rather than building complex dedicated automation infrastructure, thus achieving high automation with minimal added complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
In a network of computer systems having a group of users subscribing to a service comprising restricted channels, a user applies for an action to be performed by an automated software agent. The agent initiates a poll of a predetermined group of subscribers soliciting votes for approving the action. When the poll is complete, the votes are tallied by the agent and compared with predetermined authorization rules. If the votes pass the rules test, the action is approved and performed by a software agent. The user in one embodiment is an automated software agent.