RPA Automation Windows for Multi-Desktop Control Conflict Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional emulators, simulators, virtual machines, and hybrid VMs providing OS-level virtualization do not effectively address the challenges faced by attended automation robots operating on the same computing system as the user.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of automation windows for RPA using multiple desktops, where a user desktop and an RPA robot desktop are launched and managed separately, allowing the RPA robot to execute workflows without interfering with the user's active desktop.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a user and an RPA robot share the same desktop instance, then resource utilization is improved, but control conflicts occur requiring one to idle while the other takes full control
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the desktop environment into multiple virtual desktops, allowing the user desktop and robot desktop to operate independently on the same computing system. This segmentation eliminates control conflicts while maintaining resource sharing, as each desktop instance has its own control context but accesses shared system resources.
2Reliability
If conventional virtualization technologies (emulators, simulators, VMs, containers) are used, then isolation is improved, but they fail to address attended automation robot challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by providing targeted desktop-level virtualization specifically for automation scenarios. Instead of using general-purpose virtualization technologies that create complete OS copies, the invention creates lightweight virtual desktops within the same OS session, providing just enough isolation for automation while maintaining compatibility with attended automation requirements.
3Ease of operation
If a robot desktop is launched separately from the user desktop, then control interference is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies universality by using the existing virtual desktop infrastructure to serve multiple purposes: user workspace, robot workspace, and potential future extensions. The same virtual desktop mechanism handles both user interactions and automation executions, reducing overall system complexity compared to implementing separate specialized environments.
Data Source
AI summary
Automation windows for robotic process automation (RPA) using multiple desktops are disclosed. One or more robot desktops are launched, and one or more RPA robots operate in the robot desktop(s). The robot desktops may not initially be the active desktop. When the robot(s) execute their automations, if an activity in the RPA robot workflow needs the robot desktop to be the active desktop, the active desktop is switched to the appropriate robot desktop when the appropriate robot desktop is not already active, and activit(ies) of the RPA workflow that require the robot desktop to be the active desktop are executed. In some embodiments, after RPA workflow execution finishes, the robot desktop, the RPA robot, or both, are automatically closed.