Workflow Server for Multi-System Security Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing multiple devices within a security ecosystem is time-consuming and requires in-depth knowledge of each system, leading to a burden on administrators due to the lack of continuity across systems, making it difficult to configure and automate workflows effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that provides a graphical-user interface for creating workflows by connecting triggers and actions across multiple systems, using a workflow server to analyze detected events and execute appropriate actions, thereby automating the configuration and execution of security ecosystem responses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If administrators manually configure each security system separately to implement workflows, then the systems can be configured to provide notifications, but the time required and administrative burden increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a workflow server as an intermediary component that receives workflow definitions from a graphical user interface and automatically distributes configuration instructions to multiple security systems. This mediator eliminates the need for administrators to manually configure each system separately, reducing configuration time while ensuring reliable workflow implementation across all systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The workflow server provides a universal configuration mechanism that can manage multiple different security systems (access control, video surveillance, alarms) through a single interface. This multi-functional approach allows administrators to configure workflows across diverse systems using the same tool, significantly reducing the time and expertise required compared to system-specific configuration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If administrators configure multiple security systems with in-depth knowledge of each system, then proper workflows can be implemented, but the complexity and difficulty of operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The graphical user interface and workflow server provide a universal configuration environment that works across multiple security systems without requiring system-specific knowledge. The unified interface presents consistent controls and options for configuring workflows, making the system easier to operate while maintaining adaptability to different security system types through standardized interaction patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses template-based workflow definitions that can be copied and reused across different security systems. Once a workflow is configured for one system type, the same workflow definition can be replicated for other systems, reducing the operational complexity while maintaining versatility across diverse security ecosystems.
3Ease of manufacture
If separate configuration is used for each security system, then each system can be independently configured, but continuity and integration across systems deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The workflow server acts as a central intermediary that maintains integration stability across all security systems. It receives unified workflow definitions and ensures consistent configuration across access control, video surveillance, and alarm systems, preserving system continuity while allowing each system to be configured through the same interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the configuration of multiple separate security systems into a single unified workflow definition process. By combining the configuration tasks for access control, video surveillance, and alarm systems into one integrated workflow, the system maintains stable cross-system integration while preserving the ease of configuration through centralized management.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system, method, and apparatus for implementing workflows across multiple differing systems and devices is provided herein. During operation, a graphical-user interface provides a user with a list of triggers and a list of actions. A user creates a workflow by dragging a trigger and at least one action to an area of a screen (workspace) and then connecting them with a line or arc. If a security ecosystem is unable to execute the created workflow, the necessary components needed to execute the workflow will be provided in a small area on the screen (workspace).