Workflow File Gesture Delegation and Order Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional workflow file processing systems are cumbersome, requiring users to manually determine processing order and transfer authority, limiting flexibility and usability, especially when changing the order of processing or delegating tasks.

Innovation Solution

A file processing system utilizing gestures such as pinch-in, pinch-out, and fly gestures to intuitively manage workflow file processing, allowing users to delegate authority and update processing orders without predefined restrictions, using a management device and file processing devices connected via a network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a predetermined processing order is defined in the workflow file, then the workflow can be executed systematically, but the operation becomes complicated as users must manually check processing status and determine their turn

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworkflow execution systematicityVSAvoiduser operation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The workflow file automatically manages its own execution state by storing processing status information for each user. The system retrieves this status information automatically when a user accesses the file, eliminating the need for users to manually check whether previous users have completed their processing or to determine their turn in the sequence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If processing authority transfer requires predetermined manipulation, then the workflow can be controlled, but users must find and indicate the subsequent user which complicates the operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing controlVSAvoidauthority transfer operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides feedback information to users about the current processing status and the next user in sequence. When a user completes processing, the system automatically notifies the subsequent user, who can then access the file directly without needing to search for or indicate their identity. This feedback mechanism simplifies the authority transfer process while maintaining controlled workflow execution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Stability of the object's composition

If the workflow processing order is fixed and can only be changed by administrators, then the workflow structure remains stable, but the system cannot adapt to needs for free-order processing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworkflow structure stabilityVSAvoidprocessing order flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The workflow file dynamically adapts its execution sequence based on user actions and processing status. While the file maintains a defined sequence of authorized users, the actual processing order can flexibly adjust as users complete their tasks and the system automatically advances to the next user in line. This allows the workflow to maintain structural stability while adapting to real-time processing needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2515202B1File processing system and management device
Publication Date: 2019.12.18 KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECH INC
  • EP2515202B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2515202B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2515202B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A workflow file includes body data and information defining a user who can process the file. In a file processing system including a plurality of file processing devices (A, B) each having a touch panel (34), when a first file processing device to which a first user who can process the workflow file logs in detects that a first gesture of identifying the workflow file and a second gesture of indicating a second user who will perform processing subsequently have been performed on the touch panel (S11-1), the second user is identified based on the second gesture and the defining information (S21-1), and a second file processing device corresponding to the second user is reported to that effect (S21-2). When the second file processing device detects that a third gesture for making a request for processing of the workflow file has been performed (S31-1), the second file processing device acquires the body data of the workflow file (S31-2, S22-2).