Workflow Classification System for Automated Product Type Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current JDF intent-to-process conversion systems lack automation in identifying and configuring workflows for specific product types, limiting their ability to support lights-out automation and requiring manual configuration of order entry systems.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize a rule-based expert system to transform workflow descriptions into product type descriptions, enabling automatic identification and classification of workflows based on processing steps, sequences, and outputs, and subsequently routing product descriptions to target workflows for accurate product type manufacturing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If manual configuration is used to associate workflows with product types, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but automation capability and productivity are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkflow identification automationVSAvoidsystem configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-configuration by automatically analyzing workflow descriptions, extracting product type information, and populating the order entry system without requiring manual intervention. The workflow classification system autonomously identifies product types based on workflow characteristics such as processing steps, sequences, and outputs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-configures the order entry system by automatically populating it with product type information derived from workflow descriptions before actual production operations begin. This preliminary automatic configuration eliminates the need for manual setup and ensures the system is ready for automated operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Extent of automation

If explicit product type names are provided to workflows, then automation capability is improved, but reliability decreases due to unsuitable naming conventions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelights-out automationVSAvoidworkflow identification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of relying on explicit product type names provided in workflow descriptions, the system inverts the approach by automatically deriving product type information from the workflow description itself. The classification system analyzes workflow characteristics and infers product types, making the system independent of potentially misleading explicit names.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual naming conventions with an automated classification mechanism that objectively determines product types based on workflow processing steps, sequences, and outputs. This substitution of manual naming with automated analysis improves both automation capability and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If the order entry system is manually configured to reflect manufacturable product types, then accuracy is maintained, but productivity and time efficiency are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveorder entry system configuration speedVSAvoidsystem synchronization time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-populates the order entry system with accurate product type information automatically derived from workflow descriptions before production operations begin. This preliminary automatic population eliminates the time-consuming manual configuration process and ensures the system is synchronized and ready for immediate operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes a feedback mechanism where the order entry system is automatically updated based on workflow classification results. This continuous synchronization ensures the order entry system always reflects the current manufacturable product types without requiring manual intervention or time-consuming updates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS8249735B2Method and system for automatically identifying an existing workflow to manufacture a given product type

Publication Date: 2012.08.21 XEROX CORP

AI summary

A method and system for automatically identifying an existing workflow to manufacture a given product type. A workflow description of a workflow can be transformed into a product type description utilizing particular facts associated with the workflow. An inferred product type description can then be at least one product type among a group of product type descriptions representing known product types. A mapping can then be derived of the workflow with respect to product types, in response to comparing the inferred product type description to the product type description(s) among product type descriptions representing known product types. The workflow description can be converted into the product type description utilizing a rule-based expert system. The particular facts can be one or more of the following: processing steps, sequences of processing steps, types of operations to be performed, and outputs produced.