US5848393A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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"What if . . . " function for simulating operations within a task workflow management system
Assignee: NCR Voyix Corp
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Filing: 1995-12-15
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Granted: 1998-12-08
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Expires: 2015-12-15
Abstract
Abstract A computer-implemented task workflow management system having built-in functions for simulating operations and performing rule syntax checks. A rule editor is provided for editing a plurality of rules describing a predetermined task execution sequence. The rule editor includes means for simulating a rule execution without having to create work items to send through a map. The syntax of a rule may be checked and a list of the instance variables in the rule being tested may be provided. A message box may be provided to display a result of the simulation and the successfully firing clause may be highlighted.
Inventors
- 👤 Gilbert W. Goodridge
- 👤 Michael J. Komichak
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 10:10
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/06; G06Q10/063; G06Q10/0633
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
A computer-implemented task workflow management system for routing items and managing workflow based upon a plurality of rules, comprising: a rule editor for editing the plurality of rules describing a predetermined task execution sequence; and a simulator, coupled to the rule editor, for simulating execution of the rules by providing values for rule variables and submitting the values to a rule evaluator without creating work items to send through a map.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
71 words
A computer-implemented task workflow management system for routing items and managing workflow based upon a plurality of rules, comprising: a rule editor for editing the plurality of rules describing a predetermined task execution sequence; and a simulator, coupled to the rule editor, for simulating execution of the rules by providing values for rule variables and submitting the values to a rule evaluator without creating work items to send through a map.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The task workflow management system of claim 1 wherein the rule editor further comprises means for checking a syntax of the rule.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The task workflow management system of claim 2 further comprising means for selecting a portion of the rule having an incorrect syntax.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The task workflow management system of claim 1 wherein a condition for the rule is indicated under a first heading, and a return state is indicated under a second heading.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The task workflow management system of claim 1 wherein the rule editor is a client process and the simulator is a server process.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The task workflow management system of claim 1 wherein the rule editor further comprises test case means for providing a list of instance variables in the rule being simulated.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The task workflow management system of claim 1, further comprising means for setting a temporary instance variable in the rule being simulated.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The task workflow management system of claim 1 wherein the rule editor further comprises means for starting the simulation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The task workflow management system of claim 1 wherein the rule editor further comprises message box displays for displaying a result of the simulation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The task workflow management system of claim 1 wherein the rule editor further comprises means for highlighting a clause for which the clause was successful.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
The task workflow management system of claim 1 further comprising rule evaluator means, operatively coupled to the rule editor, for evaluating a plurality of rules describing a predetermined task execution sequence such that the workflow management system is rule-based.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The task workflow management system of claim 11, wherein the plurality of rules are derived from a rule language.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The task workflow management system of claim 11, wherein the rule evaluator is invoked by calls from the rule editor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
116 words
A computer-implemented task workflow management system, comprising: a workflow engine for routing tasks in a predetermined task execution sequence to a plurality of workers and providing access to data and documents required by each worker to complete a particular task; rule evaluator, operatively coupled to the workflow engine, for evaluating a plurality of rules describing a predetermined task execution sequence such that the workflow management system is rule-based; and rule editor for editing a plurality of rules describing the predetermined task execution sequence, the rule editor comprising simulation for initiating a simulated running of a rule by providing values for rule variables and submitting the values to without creating work items to send through a map.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
116 words
A computer-implemented task workflow management system, comprising: a workflow engine for routing tasks in a predetermined task execution sequence to a plurality of workers and providing access to data and documents required by each worker to complete a particular task; rule evaluator, operatively coupled to the workflow engine, for evaluating a plurality of rules describing a predetermined task execution sequence such that the workflow management system is rule-based; and rule editor for editing a plurality of rules describing the predetermined task execution sequence, the rule editor comprising simulation for initiating a simulated running of a rule by providing values for rule variables and submitting the values to without creating work items to send through a map.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The task workflow management system of claim 14 wherein the rule editor further comprises means for checking a syntax of the rule.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The task workflow management system of claim 14 wherein a condition for the rule is indicated under a first heading, and a return state is indicated under a second heading.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
The task workflow management system of claim 14 wherein the rule editor further comprises test case for providing a list of instance variables in the rule being tested.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The task workflow management system of claim 14, further comprising means for setting a temporary instance variable in the rule being simulated.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The task workflow management system of claim 14 wherein the rule editor further comprises means for starting the running of the simulation.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The task workflow management system of claim 14 wherein the rule editor further comprises a message box display for displaying a result of the simulation.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
The task workflow management system of claim 20 wherein the rule editor further comprises means for highlighting a clause indicating that the clause was successfully fired.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The task workflow management system of claim 14 wherein the plurality of rules are derived from a rule language.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
The task workflow management system of claim 14 wherein the rule evaluator is invoked by calls from the rule editor.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
57 words
A computer-implemented method of rule-based task workflow management, comprising the steps of: specifying a plurality of rules describing a predetermined task execution sequence, the plurality of rules being derived from a rule language; and simulating the running of a rule by providing values for rule variables and submitting them to a rule evaluator without creating work items.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
57 words
A computer-implemented method of rule-based task workflow management, comprising the steps of: specifying a plurality of rules describing a predetermined task execution sequence, the plurality of rules being derived from a rule language; and simulating the running of a rule by providing values for rule variables and submitting them to a rule evaluator without creating work items.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 24 further comprising the step of editing the plurality of rules describing the predetermined task execution sequence.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 24 further comprising the step of checking a syntax of the rule.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 24 wherein the step of simulating the running of the rule further comprises the step of indicating a condition for the rule under a first heading, and indicating a return state under a second heading.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 24, further comprising the step of generating a list of instance variables in the rule being tested.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 24 further comprising the step of highlighting a clause to indicate the clause was successfully fired.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 24 further comprising the step of evaluating a plurality of rules describing a predetermined task execution sequence.
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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) | 2001-12-07 | 2002-06-08 | 2002-12-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-12-07 | 2006-06-08 | 2006-12-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-12-07 | 2010-06-08 | 2010-12-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |