EP0774725A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Method and apparatus for distributing conditional work flow processes among a plurality of users
Assignee: Infor US LLC
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Filing: 1996-07-03
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2016-07-03
Abstract
Abstract In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a new computerized information flow distribution technology (work flow) is provided. One feature of the present invention allows the use of conditional logic in determining how information is routed among users. Specifically, conditional logic may be used to determine what the next step in the workflow should be, to determine who the next step should be assigned to, to select which approvers on an approval list are used, etc. Various types of conditional comparisons may be made in order to perform this functionality. Yet another feature of the present invention allows the use of a graphical tool for creating and mapping the work flow processes.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles Rossi
- 👤 Stephen Vinter
- 👤 Leonard Conte
- 👤 S. Jay Chang
- 👤 Robert Botzer
- 👤 Sandra Mcallister
- 👤 Joanne Dorden
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 08:55
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
A multi-user computer system operative to control the flow of data between a plurality of users of the computer system in connection with the performance of activities by the plurality of users, wherein the activities generate or use the data, the system comprising: means for receiving first user information input in connection with a first activity; means for defining a plurality of activities performable by a plurality of users in connection with the performance of the work flow of a particular application; means for evaluating the first user information; means responsive to the evaluating means for generating a conditional signal; and means responsive to the conditional signal for routing work flow to another user, wherein the means further includes: means responsive to a first state of the condition signal for routing the work flow to a second user for performance of a second activity; and means responsive to a second state of the condition signal for routing the work flow to a third user for performance of a third activity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the second user and the third user are identical.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the second activity is identical to the third activity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the first user information input comprises execution of a first activity in the work flow of a selected program.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the defining means includes at least one table listing a plurality of activities required for execution of a selected work flow application.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system as defined in claim 5, wherein the defining means further includes data defining a sequence for performing the plurality of activities.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system as defined in claim 6, wherein the sequence of the second activity is conditioned upon performance of the first activity.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the defining means further includes data defining a selected one of the users who must perform at least one of the plurality of activities.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system as defined in claim 8, wherein the selection of an activity for performance by the second user is conditioned upon the performance of the first activity by the first user.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system as defined in claim 8, wherein the at least one activity is performable by more than one user.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system as defined in claim 10, wherein the second and third user alternatively perform the second activity, only after the first user has performed the first activity in the work flow application.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system as defined in claim 11, wherein the defining means is responsive to the performance of the second activity to inhibit repeated performance of the second activity.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system as defined in claim 6, wherein the defining means includes condition data defining the conditions upon which selected activities among the plurality of activities are performed in connection with the work flow of a particular application.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system as defined in claim 13, wherein the condition data defines that the second activity is performable only after the first activity has been performed.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system as defined in claim 13, wherein the condition data defines that the third activity is performable only after the first activity has been performed, but not after the second activity has been performed.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system as defined in claim 13, wherein the condition data defines that the third activity is performable only after the first activity and the second activity have been performed.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system as defined in claim 13, wherein the condition data defines that the second activity is performable only after the first activity has been performed and a subsequent activity has been performed by the third user.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system as defined in claim 6, wherein the defining means includes condition data defining the conditions upon which selected users among the plurality of users may perform selected activities among the plurality of activities that may be performed in connection with the work flow of a particular application.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system as defined in claim 18, wherein the condition data defines that the second activity is performable by the second user only after the first user has performed the first activity.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system as defined in claim 18, wherein the condition data defines that the third activity is performable by the third user only after the first user has performed the first activity and the second activity has been performed.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the evaluating means is operative to evaluate the defining means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the condition signal is indicative of a plurality of next step activities.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system as defined in claim 22, further comprising means responsive to the performance of the first activity by the first user, for activating the condition signal to indicate that both the second activity and the third activity may then be performed.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system as defined in claim 22, further comprising means responsive to the performance of the first activity by the first user, for activating the condition signal to indicate that the second activity may then be performed by the second user.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system as defined in claim 24, wherein the activating means is further operative to activate the condition signal to indicates that the third activity may then be performed by either the second user or the third user.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the routing means is operative to inhibit performance of a selected activity in a work flow application, until all prerequisite activities have been performed.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
A computer readable storage medium containing program code for controlling the operation of the system defined in claim 1.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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