Unified Task Workspace Integrating Multi-App Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face difficulties in managing complex tasks across multiple software applications, requiring them to remember information and switch between applications, as existing technologies do not seamlessly integrate predefined application functionality with personal workflows, leading to fragmented task completion and lack of relevant predictions and notifications.

Innovation Solution

A personal assistant system that bridges the gap between predefined application functionality and personal workflows by receiving user selections, determining context indicators, and providing related information and actions, using a personal assistant engine that includes a collection list, object analyzer, logic engine, and notification engine to auto-fill fields, propose actions, and generate notifications, thereby enhancing user productivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple software applications are used to complete different parts of a task, then predefined application functionality is provided, but the user must switch between applications and remember information, reducing ease of operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepredefined application functionalityVSAvoiduser workflow continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple application functionalities into a unified task workspace where users can access contact management, accounting, and other application features within a single interface. The system merges data from different applications (emails, contacts, invoices) into one consolidated view, eliminating the need to switch between applications while maintaining all predefined functionalities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The task management system is designed as a universal platform that can handle multiple types of tasks (purchase orders, expense reports, travel arrangements) and integrate with various applications. It provides a multi-functional workspace that adapts to different task types while maintaining a consistent user experience across all functionalities.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If users switch between different applications to complete task parts, then specific application features are accessed, but task completion time increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication feature accessVSAvoidtask completion efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically gathering relevant information from multiple applications before the user needs it. When a user initiates a task, the system proactively retrieves related data (supplier information, invoice details, contact data) and prepares it in advance within the task workspace, eliminating the need for users to manually search across applications during task execution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a task workspace as an intermediary layer between the user and multiple applications. This mediator consolidates information from various sources and presents it in a unified manner, allowing users to access application features through the workspace without directly switching between applications, thereby maintaining productivity while accessing diverse functionalities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional multi-application workflow is used, then information can be processed in each application, but relevant predictions and notifications are not provided across applications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication-specific processingVSAvoidcross-application context
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor task progress and provide relevant predictions and notifications within the unified workspace. Based on the consolidated information from multiple applications, the system generates context-aware suggestions, alerts users to important updates, and provides predictive information about task outcomes, ensuring that cross-application context is maintained and utilized.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3244312B1A personal digital assistant
Publication Date: 2022.06.22 SAP SE
  • EP3244312B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3244312B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3244312B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer program product embodiments for managing completion of a task. An embodiment operates by receiving a selection of a collection configured to complete the task. The embodiment determines a context indicator for analyzing an application object in the selected collection. The embodiment processes the application object in based on the context indicator to generate information for completing the task. Another embodiment operates by receiving a selection of a collection configured to complete a task. The embodiment then determines that completion of the task requires solving a situation defined by a situation definition. The embodiment then identifies an anchor application object in the selected collection based on the situation definition. The embodiment then generates related information and a set of actions for solving the situation based on the anchor application object and the situation definition.