Workflow Server Consolidates Consecutive Nodes
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current workflow systems require participants to repeat the same work multiple times on consecutive nodes, leading to inefficiencies and potential errors due to restricted access permissions and inability to reference necessary information across nodes.
Innovation Solution
A workflow system that consolidates information necessary for consecutive nodes and sends it to the participant, allowing them to complete work on all nodes at once, with the workflow engine processing each node based on the participant's input, and providing access permissions to ensure accurate decision-making.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a participant processes multiple consecutive nodes in a workflow, then the participant must repeat the same work multiple times for each node, but this leads to inefficiency and potential errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple consecutive nodes into a single consolidated node that is processed once by the participant. The workflow engine combines the functionality of multiple nodes (nodes 1, 2, 3, etc.) into one unified processing step, allowing the participant to complete all necessary work in a single action rather than repeating the same workflow processing for each individual node sequentially
Solution Approach 2:
The consolidated node is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously - it handles the processing requirements of all consecutive nodes in a single operation. The node becomes multi-functional, capable of executing the logic and actions that would otherwise require separate processing steps for each individual node
2Reliability
If access permissions are restricted at each node, then security and authorization are maintained, but participants cannot reference necessary information across nodes for decision-making
Solution Approach 1:
The workflow engine performs preliminary actions by pre-fetching and making available all information that the participant will need across all consecutive nodes before the participant begins processing. This allows the participant to access necessary information from multiple nodes in advance, enabling informed decision-making while the actual node processing maintains proper authorization controls
Solution Approach 2:
The workflow engine acts as an intermediary that mediates between the restricted access permissions of individual nodes and the participant's need for comprehensive information. It collects and presents the necessary information from multiple nodes through the consolidated node interface, allowing the participant to make decisions based on complete information while the system maintains security by processing each original node's authorization requirements separately
3Ease of operation
If work is done separately for each node, then authorization and access control are enforced, but the participant cannot input information needed for subsequent nodes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the information input capabilities of multiple consecutive nodes into the consolidated node. The participant can input all necessary information in a single operation at the consolidated node, rather than being forced to input data separately at each individual node. This improves ease of operation by allowing flexible information entry while the workflow engine ensures that each original node's authorization requirements are still met during processing
Data Source
AI summary
A workflow server is connected with operating computer terminals through a network to manage workflow. The workflow server consolidates information necessary for processing multiple consecutive nodes to be processed by one participant operating one of the operating computer terminals, and sends the consolidated information to the operating computer terminal concerned.