WS-CDL to WS-BPEL Workflow Translation Engine

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Solution Overview

Problem

WS-CDL faces challenges in insufficient separation of meta-model and syntax, limited support for certain use cases, and unclear automatic mapping to WS-BPEL, requiring improvements in the automatic generation of executable processes from inter-organizational workflows.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize a knowledge database system and conversion engine with automatic and static mapping modules to translate collaboration definitions from WS-CDL to executable WS-BPEL processes, leveraging a knowledge database system to map collaboration elements to executable elements and providing a fully automated process generation system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If WS-CDL is used to define inter-organizational workflows, then collaboration between multiple participants from different security domains is enabled, but automatic mapping to executable processes (WS-BPEL) is unclear and requires active human intervention

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollaboration supportVSAvoidautomatic process generation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary system that includes a WS-CDL parser, mapping rules engine, and WS-BPEL generator. This intermediary automatically translates WS-CDL collaboration definitions into executable WS-BPEL processes, eliminating the need for active human intervention in the mapping process while preserving the collaborative capabilities defined in WS-CDL

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If WS-CDL choreography is used as a global contract, then interoperability between participants is achieved, but the meta-model and syntax are insufficiently separated

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveinteroperabilityVSAvoidmeta-model structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the WS-CDL meta-model into distinct components: collaboration participants, interaction protocols, message exchanges, and business rules. This segmentation separates the meta-model structure from the syntax, making the system more manageable and easier to map to executable processes while maintaining interoperability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Manufacturing precision

If manual mapping from WS-CDL to WS-BPEL is performed, then mapping accuracy can be ensured, but productivity and efficiency are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemapping accuracyVSAvoidprocess generation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-defining mapping rules and transformation templates that capture the semantics of WS-CDL constructs and their corresponding WS-BPEL equivalents. This preliminary preparation enables automatic generation of accurate mappings without manual intervention, simultaneously achieving high mapping accuracy and improved productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8136099B2Method and system for automatically generating executable processes from inter-organizational workflows

Publication Date: 2012.03.13 SAP SE

AI summary

A method and system to automatically translate a definition of a choreography workflow process to an executable process are provided. The method includes processing a collaboration element from the definition, mapping the collaboration element to an executable element based on a knowledge database system that contains the collaboration element and the corresponding executable element and mapping the collaboration element to the executable element statically if the corresponding executable element is unavailable in the knowledge database system.