US5745901A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Workflow initiated by graphical symbols
Assignee: VANTAGE TECHNOLOGIES
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Filing: 1994-11-08
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Granted: 1998-04-28
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Expires: 2014-11-08
Abstract
Abstract A method for workflow processing of objects stored in the memory of a computer system in accordance with the invention includes storing an object, which is to be processed, in the memory of a computer system; reading the object, which is to be processed, from the memory, and adding a graphical symbol to the object; processing the graphical symbol with middleware; and in response to the processing of the graphical symbol with the middleware initiating actions to process the object in accordance with business rules; and wherein the graphical symbol is an object which, when interpreted by the middleware into a computer readable format, initiates an action resulting in the use of at least one tool to process the object with each tool performing a different operation on the object or at least one additional object event or changing at least one attribute of the object, based on business rules, with the rules being comprised of at least one of the set of controls or procedures under which a computer implemented business process is conducted.
Inventors
- 👤 Diane T. Entner
- 👤 Phyllis J. Wormington
- 👤 Chih Ru Lin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 13:44
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/10; G06Q10/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
195 words
A method for workflow processing of objects stored in a memory of a computer system comprising: storing an object, which is to be processed, in the memory of the computer system; reading the object, which is to be processed, from the memory and adding a graphical symbol to the object; processing the graphical symbol and object with middleware, with the middleware being a program module providing a service to a client application allowing the client application to communicate with a server application; and in response to the processing of the graphical symbol with the middleware, initiating actions to process the object in accordance with business rules, with the business rules being at least one of a set of controls or procedures by which a computer implemented business process is conducted; and wherein the graphical symbol is an object which, when interpreted by the middleware into a computer readable format, initiates an action resulting in the use of at least one tool to process the object with each tool performing a different operation on the object or at least one additional event or changing at least one attribute of the object, based on the business rules.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
195 words
A method for workflow processing of objects stored in a memory of a computer system comprising: storing an object, which is to be processed, in the memory of the computer system; reading the object, which is to be processed, from the memory and adding a graphical symbol to the object; processing the graphical symbol and object with middleware, with the middleware being a program module providing a service to a client application allowing the client application to communicate with a server application; and in response to the processing of the graphical symbol with the middleware, initiating actions to process the object in accordance with business rules, with the business rules being at least one of a set of controls or procedures by which a computer implemented business process is conducted; and wherein the graphical symbol is an object which, when interpreted by the middleware into a computer readable format, initiates an action resulting in the use of at least one tool to process the object with each tool performing a different operation on the object or at least one additional event or changing at least one attribute of the object, based on the business rules.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein: a state machine uses the computer readable format to process the object in accordance with the business rules.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method in accordance with claim 2 wherein: the state machine is defined as having at least three predefined states for selecting business rules.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method in accordance with claim 3 wherein: the at least one tool comprises a printer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method in accordance with claim 3 wherein: the at least one tool comprises sending electronic communications containing the object and graphical symbol.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method in accordance with claim 3 wherein: the at least one tool comprises a scanner.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method in accordance with claim 3 wherein: the at least one tool comprises an object server.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method in accordance with claim 3 wherein: the at least one tool comprises a data base server.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method in accordance with claim 3 wherein: the at least one tool comprises application software.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process in accordance with claim 3 wherein: the at least one additional event is routing of the object for additional tool processing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method in accordance with claim 2 wherein: the at least one tool comprises a printer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method in accordance with claim 2 wherein: the at least one tool comprises sending electronic communications containing the object and graphical symbol.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method in accordance with claim 2 wherein: the at least one tool comprises a scanner.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method in accordance with claim 2 wherein: the at least one tool comprises an object server.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method in accordance with claim 2 wherein: the at least one tool comprises a data base server.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process in accordance with claim 2 wherein: the at least one tool comprises application software.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process in accordance with claim 2 wherein: the at least one additional event is routing of the object for additional tool processing.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein: the at least one tool comprises a printer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein: the at least one tool comprises sending electronic communications containing the object and graphical symbol.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein: the at least one tool comprises a scanner.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein: the at least one tool comprises an object server.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein: the at least one tool comprises a data base server.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein: the at least one tool comprises application software.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein: the at least one additional event is routing of the object for additional tool processing.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-04-27 | 2001-10-27 | 2002-04-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-04-27 | 2005-10-27 | 2006-04-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-04-27 | 2009-10-27 | 2010-04-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |