Weighted Task Progress Tracking for Complex Transactions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computer systems inaccurately report the progress of complex operations by assuming each step takes the same amount of time to complete, leading to incomplete or misleading progress updates, as they only reflect completed steps rather than ongoing tasks.
Innovation Solution
A method that assigns weights to tasks based on their expected time contribution to the overall transaction, allowing for the aggregation of progress information from descendant nodes in a hierarchical structure, enabling accurate reporting of progress at finer granularity, including ongoing tasks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the system reports progress based on completed steps only, then the reporting is simple, but the progress information is inaccurate and misleading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the transaction into multiple tasks with different weights, and further segments each task into subtasks that can be independently monitored. This hierarchical segmentation allows accurate progress tracking at granular levels while maintaining overall transaction progress calculation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces weight parameters for different tasks to reflect their relative importance and time contribution to the overall transaction. By changing from uniform step counting to weighted task completion, the system achieves accurate progress measurement without excessive complexity.
2Measurement precision
If the system assumes each step takes the same amount of time, then the calculation is simple, but the progress update is misleading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by assigning weights to tasks before transaction execution based on expected time contributions. This pre-calculation of weights eliminates the need for complex real-time time tracking while maintaining accurate progress measurement throughout the transaction.
3Loss of information
If the system provides detailed progress information for ongoing tasks, then user experience is enhanced, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested hierarchical structure where transactions contain tasks, tasks contain subtasks, and subtasks contain individual operations. This nesting allows detailed progress information to be aggregated from the finest granularity level up to the transaction level, providing complete information without overwhelming complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Described are techniques for determining progress of a transaction. A plurality of weights are received. Each of the weights indicates a weight for a different one of a plurality of tasks performed to complete processing for the transaction. At a point in time, a plurality of first metrics for the plurality of tasks are determined. Each of the plurality of first metrics corresponds to a first of the plurality of tasks and indicates an amount of the first task completed at the point in time. A second metric is determined indicating an amount of processing completed for the transaction at the point in time. The second metric is determined in accordance with the plurality of first metrics and the plurality of weights.