Workflow Definition System Automating Process-Device Mapping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing information processing systems require administrators to manually associate processes with devices, which is cumbersome and inefficient, especially when multiple processes need to be executed by multiple devices, lacking a flexible graphical user interface for defining workflows.
Innovation Solution
A process flow definition creating system that includes a device list storage unit, screen information storage, display control, setting reception, definition creation, and storage units, allowing administrators to visually define and automatically manage the correspondence between processes and devices through a graphical user interface, enabling flexible workflow definition and execution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If administrators manually associate processes with devices, then workflows can be defined, but the process becomes cumbersome and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically associates devices with processes based on device types and process requirements, eliminating the need for administrators to manually perform this association. The system serves itself by automatically matching devices to appropriate processes in the workflow definition, thereby reducing administrative burden and time consumption.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple processes are executed by multiple devices, then workflow flexibility increases, but the complexity of managing correspondences increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the workflow definition into distinct components: process definitions, device definitions, and automatic association rules. By dividing the complex task of managing process-device correspondences into manageable segments, the system maintains flexibility while reducing the perceived complexity for administrators.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a universal framework for defining workflows that can accommodate multiple processes and devices through standardized definitions and automatic association mechanisms. This universal approach allows the same system to handle various workflow scenarios without requiring complex custom configurations for each case.
3Ease of operation
If a graphical user interface is provided for defining workflows, then operability improves, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The graphical user interface serves as an intermediary between administrators and the underlying complex workflow definition system. The GUI provides a user-friendly presentation layer that simplifies interactions while the system handles the complexity of processing definitions, device associations, and workflow logic in the background.
Data Source
AI summary
A process flow definition creating system provides a process flow definition to a system for executing processes in an order in accordance with the process flow definition. The process flow definition creating system includes a device list storage unit; a screen information storage unit, wherein the screen information is for displaying a first field and a second field; a display control unit that displays the parsed screen information; a setting reception unit that receives a setting for the first field and a setting for the second field, wherein the setting for the first field defines the processes and the order of the processes, and the setting for the second field defines correspondence between the processes and devices that are to execute the processes; and a definition creating unit that creates the process flow definition, based on the settings.