Workflow Manager for Graphical Modeling Environments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional graphical programming languages provide unstructured advice that is not tailored to specific tasks in graphical modeling environments, making it difficult for novice users to navigate complex workflows and understand the impact of design choices on model components.
Innovation Solution
A workflow manager that synchronizes with the graphical modeling environment, providing hierarchical task management and customizable workflows through an API, allowing users to tailor the environment for specific tasks and visualize the effects of each step on model components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional graphical programming languages provide tools that assist users in identifying problems with a design, then users can receive advice on design issues, but the advice is relatively unstructured and not closely associated with a particular portion of a workflow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the workflow into discrete tasks and steps, with each step associated with specific advice and guidance. The workflow is divided into task groups and individual tasks, allowing structured advice to be delivered at each specific step rather than providing unstructured general advice. This segmentation enables the system to provide context-specific guidance relevant to the user's current position in the workflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a workflow manager as an intermediary component that mediates between the user and the graphical modeling environment. This workflow manager provides structured advice by acting as a guide through the workflow steps, delivering context-specific guidance at each stage. The workflow manager serves as the intermediary that organizes and delivers advice in a structured manner, rather than providing unstructured direct feedback.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional tools do not tailor the graphical modeling environment for a particular task, then the environment remains general-purpose, but it fails to provide focused guidance for specific workflow tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic workflow environment where the graphical modeling environment is tailored to the current task being performed. The workflow manager dynamically adjusts the environment by highlighting relevant components, showing only necessary tools and options for the current step, and providing context-specific guidance. This dynamic adaptation allows the environment to focus on the specific task at hand while maintaining overall versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing task-specific tailoring of the graphical modeling environment. Different portions of the environment are activated or highlighted based on the current workflow step. The interface adapts locally to show only the relevant components and tools needed for the current task, rather than presenting the entire environment uniformly. This local adaptation provides focused guidance without sacrificing the environment's overall adaptability.
3Loss of information
If a workflow manager synchronizes with the graphical modeling environment to provide structured advice, then users receive context-specific guidance, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the workflow management functionality with the existing graphical modeling environment. The workflow manager is integrated into the environment, sharing common data structures, user interface elements, and processing mechanisms. This merging allows the system to provide context-specific guidance through synchronization without duplicating entire subsystems, thereby reducing the overall system complexity while maintaining the ability to deliver structured, context-aware advice.
4Loss of information
If the graphical modeling environment is reconfigured for each workflow step, then users can understand the impact of design choices on model components, but the time required to navigate workflows increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the workflow steps and associated environment reconfigurations. The system prepares the sequence of steps, task groups, and environmental changes in advance. When the user begins executing the workflow, the pre-planned reconfigurations are applied systematically, reducing the time required for navigation. The impact of design choices is made visible through pre-planned highlighting and synchronization of model components with workflow steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by systematically reconfiguring the graphical modeling environment at each workflow step in a predetermined sequence. The environment is reconfigured periodically as the user progresses through standardized steps, with each reconfiguration tailored to the current task. This periodic, structured approach allows the system to maintain visibility of design impact while following a efficient, pre-planned navigation pattern that minimizes overall time requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A system may identify a workflow associated with a graphical model and execute the workflow in a number of stages. The system may display a number of components of the graphical model and identify which of the displayed components are associated with or affected by execution of a current one of the stages of the workflow.