Workflow Message Mechanism for Content Management Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current content management systems face challenges in standardizing operations across different vendors' equipment, particularly in task description, usage, and priority management, due to the lack of universal acceptance of formats like AAF and limited applicability of MXF, especially in complex content processing scenarios.

Innovation Solution

A method is introduced that utilizes a workflow management framework with a simple message mechanism to interface applications, extracting and monitoring parameters during task execution to ensure successful operation, using an intelligent workflow gateway and messaging module to decouple the content management system from third-party subsystems and provide real-time status updates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple vendor equipment is integrated into content workflow, then functionality and versatility are improved, but standardization and operational consistency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidstandardization

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a standardized interface layer that acts as an intermediary between diverse vendor equipment and the content workflow system. This interface extracts and standardizes operational parameters (task description, usage, priority) from various equipment types, enabling consistent workflow management across multiple vendors while preserving access to their unique functionalities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If standardized formats like AAF and MXF are used, then interoperability is improved, but operational aspects like task description, usage, and priority are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveinteroperabilityVSAvoidoperational aspects

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the strengths of existing standardized formats (AAF's edit decision list reference, MXF's essence and metadata transport) with additional operational parameter tracking. The system combines these formats while layering on top of them a standardized interface that captures task description, usage, and priority information, thereby preserving both interoperability and operational control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If vendor-specific equipment is used, then specialized functionality is improved, but integration complexity and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespecialized functionalityVSAvoidintegration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal standardized interface that can work with equipment from any vendor. This interface layer provides multi-functionality by handling parameter extraction, standardization, and workflow coordination in a single mechanism, thereby reducing the need for vendor-specific integration code and simplifying the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9400961B2Message mechanism for workflow interfacing

Publication Date: 2016.07.26 GRASS VALLEY CANADA

AI summary

A simple message mechanism serves to interface applications within content management system. The message management mechanism operates by extracting at least one selected parameter during execution of at least one task (e.g., application) during content workflow. The operator is then notified of whether the at least one task executed successfully in accordance with the extracted parameter.