Workflow Project Design System Separating Runtime and Viewer Versions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing online collaboration tools face issues such as unfriendly user interfaces, limited functionality, system freezes, and the requirement for users to have specific software installed, which restricts collaboration to devices with the appropriate software, making it difficult for mobile or independent contractors to collaborate effectively on complex projects like workflow creation and modification.

Innovation Solution

A system that separates the runtime environment of a workflow project from its un-executable version, allowing changes to be recorded and propagated in real-time among client devices, enabling editing and execution without the need for each device to have an executable version, and allowing collaboration in third-party applications without specific software installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If each user has a copy of the software application installed on their device, then users can access complete toolset functionality, but system bandwidth is consumed and collaboration experiences lag

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to complete toolset functionalityVSAvoidbandwidth consumption and system lag
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the software application into two distinct versions: an executable version with complete toolset functionality stored centrally, and a viewer version with limited functionality distributed to client devices. This segmentation allows users to access complete functionality when needed through the central server while using a lightweight viewer version for日常 collaboration, thereby reducing bandwidth consumption and system lag during collaborative sessions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If collaboration is limited to devices with the software application installed, then system control and updates are manageable, but mobile workers and independent contractors cannot collaborate effectively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollaboration accessibility for mobile workers and contractorsVSAvoidsoftware distribution and update management
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal collaboration platform where the central server hosts the executable version of the software that can serve multiple users simultaneously. The viewer version is designed to be universally accessible across different devices and operating systems without requiring installation of the full application. This multi-functional approach enables mobile workers and independent contractors to collaborate effectively while maintaining centralized control for updates and management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Speed

If the executable version of the workflow project is modified in real-time during collaboration, then all users see immediate changes, but computational resources are heavily consumed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereal-time change propagationVSAvoidcomputational resource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements partial action by allowing modifications to be made to the executable version during collaborative sessions, but only when computational resources are available. The system prioritizes essential real-time updates while deferring or batching less critical changes. This approach enables real-time change propagation for important modifications while managing computational resource consumption by not forcing all changes to be processed immediately with the same level of urgency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS11610164B2Workflow project design systems, apparatuses, and methods
Publication Date: 2023.03.21 NINTEX USA INC
  • US11610164B2 patent drawing
  • US11610164B2 patent drawing
  • US11610164B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A workflow project design system, method, and apparatus are disclosed. An example method includes creating a mapping between an executable version of an object-orientated process and an un-executable version of the object-orientated process. The method also includes transmitting the un-executable version of the object-orientated process and a toolset file to a client device for display in a web browser. The method further includes receiving from the client device a modify instruction to modify at least one of attributes or properties of the un-executable version of the object-orientated process and updating the executable version of the object-orientated process based on the modify instruction. Additionally, the method includes receiving an execution instruction to execute the workflow project, executing the updated executable version of the object-orientated process to generate a result of the workflow project, and transmitting to the client device the result for display within the user interface.