Visual Process Flow Configuration System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for managing complex business processes within organizations require significant manual effort and coding changes whenever processes evolve, making it difficult to customize and manage discrete processes effectively across different departments, industries, and countries.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for visually defining and configuring process flows using a graphical display, where each activity in the sequence can access multiple service modules, allowing for dynamic reconfiguration and storage of modified process flows, with a rules engine and state engine managing conditions and states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If manual coding is used to implement process flows, then process execution can be achieved, but the complexity of maintaining and updating processes increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual coding (mechanical system) with a visual configuration system. Users can define process flows by dragging and dropping activity elements onto a canvas, and the system automatically generates the necessary code. This substitution eliminates the need for users to write code manually while maintaining full process execution capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a code generator as an intermediary between the visual configuration interface and the actual process execution. The code generator translates the visual process flow definitions into executable code, serving as a mediator that converts user-friendly visual configurations into functional system operations without requiring users to understand the underlying code.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual code revision is performed for process changes, then process updates can be implemented, but the time required for revisions increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic configuration system where process flows can be modified visually in real-time. When users make changes to the process flow diagram by adding, removing, or repositioning activity elements, the system dynamically generates updated code without requiring manual revision. This dynamic approach enables rapid adaptation to changing business processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary code generation based on the visual configuration before any execution occurs. The code is generated in advance from the process flow diagram, and when changes are needed, the system regenerates the code from the updated visual configuration. This preliminary action eliminates the need for manual code revision by having the code always reflect the current visual design.
3Adaptability or versatility
If discrete processes are integrated manually, then multiple processes can be coordinated, but the effort required for integration increases with complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the process integration into discrete activity elements that can be independently configured and connected. Each activity element represents a specific process step and can be separately defined, making the integration of multiple processes manageable through visual connection rather than complex manual coordination. The segmentation allows modular assembly of process flows.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal visual configuration interface that can handle multiple types of processes and activities through a single consistent paradigm. The same drag-and-drop mechanism works for different process types, and the code generator universally translates any visual configuration into executable code. This universality simplifies integration by providing a single approach for coordinating diverse processes.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments described herein relate to an improved system and method for defining and reconfiguring process flows for one or more processes within an organization visually in a graphical display at a client system using a process flow diagram comprising activity elements and decision elements representing the activities and decisions to be performed during execution of a process flow. Modifications to the process flow diagram at the client display can be saved and used to update the process flow. The process flow definitions and/or reconfigurations can be supplied to a server for storage in a database, and can be later accessed during execution of the process flow. During execution of the sequence of activities of a particular process flow, the server can access one or more services from a plurality of different service modules in communication with the server to provide those services.