Work Step Ordering for Complex Process Configuration
Solution Overview
Problem
Complex software systems with intertwined functions and obscure interfaces become increasingly difficult to maintain, test, and scale, leading to a high risk of unexpected behavior and errors, especially in research-oriented projects like AI and data science.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method for configuring and performing complex processes with multiple work steps, involving defining processes, checking input availability, ordering work steps based on dependencies, instantiating, and performing the work steps using one or more computing units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If software components are integrated to perform complex processes, then functionality and capability are improved, but complexity and difficulty of maintenance increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides complex processes into discrete work steps, each with clearly defined inputs and outputs. This segmentation allows complex functionality to be achieved through composition of simpler, manageable units, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a configuration manager as an intermediary component that handles the complexity of coordinating work steps, managing dependencies, and ensuring proper execution order. This mediator abstracts the complexity from the user while enabling complex processes to be defined and executed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If more work steps are added to the process, then functionality is improved, but maintainability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting processes into discrete work steps with explicit input-output contracts, the patent enables easy maintenance even as functionality expands. Each work step can be independently modified, tested, and replaced without affecting the entire system, maintaining high maintainability despite increased functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements automatic checking of input availability and dependency resolution, providing feedback when configurations are incorrect or when work steps cannot be executed. This feedback mechanism helps maintain proper system state and simplifies troubleshooting, preserving maintainability as processes grow more complex.
3Adaptability or versatility
If interfaces between components become more complex, then functionality is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The configuration manager acts as an intermediary that handles the complexity of interface management. It automatically resolves dependencies, checks input availability, and coordinates execution, shielding users from interface complexity while enabling rich functionality through simple process definitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of interface interaction by using explicit input-output declarations and type checking. This transforms implicit, complex interface negotiations into explicit, manageable contracts, making the system easier to operate while supporting advanced functionality.
4Reliability
If type checking is performed manually, then accuracy is improved, but labor and time required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs type checking and dependency validation automatically as part of the configuration process. The work steps self-verify their input requirements and output specifications, eliminating the need for manual type checking while maintaining high accuracy through automated verification mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs type checking and dependency validation in advance, before execution begins. The configuration manager checks input availability and compatibility upfront, preventing errors before they occur and eliminating the need for manual verification during development or maintenance.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method is for performing a process having a plurality of work steps using one or more computing units. The method includes defining a process having a plurality of work steps. Each work step requires one or more defined inputs, and each work step generates one or more defined outputs. The outputs of some work steps are used as inputs of other work steps. The method further includes checking whether all required inputs can be generated by the process, and ordering the work steps according to the dependencies resulting from the inputs and the outputs, when the checking determines that all required inputs can be generated by the process. The method also includes instantiating the ordered work steps, and performing the instantiated work steps by one or more computing units.