Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Miscellaneous
Reexamination Certificate
2002-04-03
2003-08-12
Jean, Frantz B. (Department: 2155)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Miscellaneous
C709S206000, C709S218000, C709S249000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06606642
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to computerized methods of workflow management, and in particular to systems and methods for transmitting and receiving (transreceiving) workflow management specifications using an electronic messaging system MIME standard that is interoperable with Internet electronic messaging system standards, and where the workflow management specifications are optionally written in XML.
BACKGROUND ART
A great variety of mechanisms have been used in the past to automate the routine aspects of tasks as they occur in military, industrial, and administrative entities such as government, as well as educational institutions. These previous efforts to automate routine tasks included various efforts on the part of a variety of technicians and professionals, including mathematicians, statisticians, computer programmers, and industrial engineers in a process often referred to as workflow management. Early efforts in workflow management date at least as early as World War II, and used such technologies as computer punch card and computer machinery for processing the same. Applications for workflow management, at the onset, include maintaining employee and inventory data. More modern efforts at workflow management include electronic mail systems. As workflow management became more comprehensive and technically oriented, electronic data exchange could provide a system in which business transactions could be undertaken and completed using interconnected data processing equipment. These systems were directed toward achieving a “paperless” office in which documents of a great variety could be initiated, completed, transmitted, and stored in a computer.
Workflow is defined as a series of tasks within an organization or organizations to produce a final outcome. In general, workflow is the way that work moves around an organization. Specifically, the work follows a path, and the path is called “workflow”. Technically speaking, workflow is defined as the automation of standard procedures (e.g. records management in personnel operations) by imposing a set of sequential rules on the procedure. Each task, when finished, automatically initiates the next logical step in the process until the entire procedure is completed. In a more technical sense, workflow includes parallel processing of multiple tasks which continue, individually and collectively, until the procedure comprising all the tasks is completed.
A typical example of an automated workflow is seen in
FIG. 2
, where the workflow executes in a communications network having networked server and client computers. In the depicted system, an individual uses a client computer to connect to a server computer so as to begin a workflow request. The server initiates a workflow application. In the case of document processing, the server computer would return a document to the client computer so that the requestor can fill out the computerized document. Upon completion, the requestor then transmits back to the server the completed document in electronic form. The workflow application executing on the server computer accesses workflow archive files for adding additional information to the computerized document. Upon completion of this phase, the server computer transmits an electronic message to an agent who is authorized to perform the requested function. By way of example, this may be an editorial review of the computerized document that is performed by an editor at a second client computer that is the recipient of the computerized document from the server computer. Once the agent has performed the authorized request, the server computer is updated as to the status of that editorial review within the workflow. Next, the server computer executes the workflow specification to perform the next task in the workflow which may be, in the case of a computerized document, a publisher's review of the edited computerized document. The publisher's review may include review and approval of various items contained in the computerized document.
In its simplest form, workflow management can be considered to be a form of document routing. Document routing is a feature of some document image processing systems which are aimed at controlling the route that a document follows through its various stages of processing. In an insurance office, for example, a system might route incoming mail to the appropriate clerk for data entry. Next, the document image processing system may refer queries or sensitive transactions to a supervisor, as well suspend processing of a document if further information was needed, as well as various and sundry tasks of or relating to the image processing of the document.
Because of the initial emphasis in workflow management upon processing of documents, workflow management has often been considered the mere routing of documents. Contemporary workflow management, however, is more than mere document routing, but also includes the passing of messages and reminders to task performers as well as a monitoring of the status of the same, to the end that a major and comprehensive project can be accomplished with as little personnel as possible by using a workflow management software system.
The science of the management of workflow is contemporarily an electronic management of work processes. These processes include forms processing or project management using computer networks and electronic messaging as the foundation. In the case of forms processing, workflow management system may control the procedure for accepting insurance policies, or college admissions. In the case of a technical assistance center for the public, workflow management may involve the art and science of having the right number of people or acting agents at the right times, in their seats, to answer and accurately forecast the volume of incoming calls at the service level that is desired.
Computer software that is used for process automation can be found in systems which are categorized and disciplined by the combination of policies and procedures. An underlining foundation of workflow software is that the computer code for such software has been designed with a set of rules and processes for the type of activity that a company finds itself in. These rules and procedures are selected, for instance, such that the company realizes a desirable degree of return on the company's investment. As such, the software can be proved for its worthiness to serve a business interest.
Within workflow management, and particularly the software that implements workflow management, the basic unit is known as a workflow loop. The workflow loop connects a customer, such as a person making a request or accepting an offer, and a performer, which is a person making a performance, in a four-phase cycle. The workflow loop moves toward completion as participants make speech acts or the equivalent thereof. For example, the customer says the equivalent of “I request.” Second, a performer says “I promise to do the request.” Third, the performer performs the act and then replies to the customer “I am done with your request.” Fourth, the customer reviews the work that was promised by the performer, and then responds to the performer “I am satisfied.” As such, the workflow loop is closed.
Workflow management is a fast evolving technology within management science that is increasingly exploited by businesses in a variety of industries. Its primary characteristic is the automation of processes involving combinations of human and machine-based activities, particularly those involving interaction with information technology applications and tools. Although it's most prevalent use is within the office environment in staff intensive operations such as insurance, banking, legal, and in general administration, etc., it is also applicable to some classes of industrial and manufacturing applications.
Myriad inventors have proposed ideas for workflow management computer software, including the concepts of document preparation and routing, and workflow management as
Ambler Christopher
Wallace Andrew
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