US7155720B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dynamic task assignment in workflows
Assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
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Filing: 2001-10-26
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Granted: 2006-12-26
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Expires: 2021-10-26
Abstract
Abstract A method of assigning resources to nodes in a workflow. In one embodiment, a plurality of nodes are defined. Each of the nodes is a task to be executed within the workflow. In the present embodiment, resources are defined to perform the execution of the nodes. In the present embodiment, a set of data items is stored. The stored data items comprise variables pertaining to workflow execution in the workflow. In the present embodiment, those defined resources are assigned to execute each of the nodes, according to a set of rules. In the present embodiment, the set of rules is for controlling the execution of the workflow.
Inventors
- 👤 Fabio Casati
- 👤 Silvana Castano
- 👤 Mariagrazia Fugini
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 13:24
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of assigning resources to nodes in a workflow comprising: defining a plurality of nodes, wherein said nodes are tasks to be executed within said workflow; defining said resources for execution of said nodes; storing a set of data items having variables pertaining to execution of said workflow; and assigning said resources to said nodes for execution thereof in accordance with a set of rules, said set of rules for controlling the execution of said workflow, wherein each rule of said set of rules specifies an event, a condition, and an action, wherein pre-computed authorizations are applied to said resources and wherein said authorizations are maintained in an up-to-date-manner, such that a set of authorized resources is retrievable concurrent with an initiated task.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of assigning resources to nodes in a workflow comprising: defining a plurality of nodes, wherein said nodes are tasks to be executed within said workflow; defining said resources for execution of said nodes; storing a set of data items having variables pertaining to execution of said workflow; and assigning said resources to said nodes for execution thereof in accordance with a set of rules, said set of rules for controlling the execution of said workflow, wherein each rule of said set of rules specifies an event, a condition, and an action, wherein pre-computed authorizations are applied to said resources and wherein said authorizations are maintained in an up-to-date-manner, such that a set of authorized resources is retrievable concurrent with an initiated task.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said rules are based in accordance with an execution history of said workflow.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said rules are based in accordance with said set of data items.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said rules are based in accordance with time, wherein said time is relative to the execution of said nodes, and wherein said time is relative to the execution of said workflow, and wherein said time is relative to absolute time.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as recite in claim 1 wherein said rules are based in accordance with time.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said rules are defined in accordance with a common language used for the entire workflow and used for assigning said resources to said nodes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said resources executing said nodes are agents.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said rules are Boolean expressions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
156 words
A computer system in a computer system network, said computer system comprising: a bus; a memory unit coupled to said bus; a processor coupled to said bus, said processor for executing a method of assigning resources to nodes in a workflow, said method comprising: defining a plurality of nodes, wherein said nodes are tasks to be executed within said workflow; defining said resources for execution of said nodes; storing a set of data items having variables pertaining to execution of said workflow; and assigning said resources to said nodes for execution thereof in accordance with a set of rules, said set of rules for controlling the execution of said workflow, wherein each rule of said set of rules specifies an event, a condition, and an action, wherein said resources further comprise pre-computed authorizations, and wherein said authorizations are maintained in an up-to-date-manner, such that a set of authorized resources is retrievable concurrent with an initiated task.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
156 words
A computer system in a computer system network, said computer system comprising: a bus; a memory unit coupled to said bus; a processor coupled to said bus, said processor for executing a method of assigning resources to nodes in a workflow, said method comprising: defining a plurality of nodes, wherein said nodes are tasks to be executed within said workflow; defining said resources for execution of said nodes; storing a set of data items having variables pertaining to execution of said workflow; and assigning said resources to said nodes for execution thereof in accordance with a set of rules, said set of rules for controlling the execution of said workflow, wherein each rule of said set of rules specifies an event, a condition, and an action, wherein said resources further comprise pre-computed authorizations, and wherein said authorizations are maintained in an up-to-date-manner, such that a set of authorized resources is retrievable concurrent with an initiated task.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The computer system of claim 9 wherein said rules of said method of assigning resources to nodes in a workflow are based in accordance with an execution history of said workflow.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The computer system of claim 9 wherein said rules of said method of assigning resources to nodes in a workflow are based in accordance with said set of data items.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
58 words
The computer system of claim 9 wherein said rules of said method of assigning resources to nodes in a workflow are based in accordance with time, wherein said time is relative to the execution of said nodes, and wherein said time is relative to the execution of said workflow, and wherein said time is relative to absolute time.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The computer system of claim 9 wherein said rules of said method of assigning resources to nodes in a workflow are based in accordance with a common language used for the entire workflow.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
The computer system of claim 9 wherein said rules of said method of assigning resources to nodes in a workflow are based in accordance with a common language used for the entire workflow and used for assigning said resources to said nodes.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The computer system of claim 9 wherein said resources executing said nodes are agents.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer system of claim 9 wherein said rules of said method of assigning resources to nodes within a workflow are Boolean expressions.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
130 words
A computer readable medium for storing computer implemented instructions, said instructions for causing a computer system to perform: defining a plurality of nodes, wherein said nodes are tasks to be executed within said workflow; defining said resources for execution of said nodes; storing a set of data items having variables pertaining to execution of said workflow; and assigning said resources to said nodes for execution thereof in accordance with a set of rules, said set of rules for controlling the execution of said workflow, wherein each rule of said set of rules specifies an event, a condition, and an action, wherein said resources further comprise pre-computed authorizations, and wherein said authorizations are maintained in an up-to-date-manner, such that a set of authorized resources is retrievable concurrent with an initiated task.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
130 words
A computer readable medium for storing computer implemented instructions, said instructions for causing a computer system to perform: defining a plurality of nodes, wherein said nodes are tasks to be executed within said workflow; defining said resources for execution of said nodes; storing a set of data items having variables pertaining to execution of said workflow; and assigning said resources to said nodes for execution thereof in accordance with a set of rules, said set of rules for controlling the execution of said workflow, wherein each rule of said set of rules specifies an event, a condition, and an action, wherein said resources further comprise pre-computed authorizations, and wherein said authorizations are maintained in an up-to-date-manner, such that a set of authorized resources is retrievable concurrent with an initiated task.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computer readable medium of claim 17 wherein said rules are based in accordance with an execution history of said workflow.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer readable medium of claim 17 wherein said rules are based in accordance with said set of data items.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
48 words
The computer readable medium of claim 17 wherein said rules are based in accordance with time, wherein said time is relative to the execution of said nodes, and wherein said time is relative to the execution of said workflow, and wherein said time is relative to absolute time.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computer readable medium of claim 17 wherein said rules are based in accordance with time, wherein said time is relative to the execution of said nodes.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
32 words
The computer readable medium of claim 17 wherein said rules are based in accordance with a common language used for the entire workflow and used for assigning said resources to said nodes.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The computer readable medium of claim 17 wherein said resources executing said nodes are agents.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
13 words
The computer readable medium of claim 17 wherein said rules are Boolean expressions.
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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) | 2009-12-25 | 2010-06-26 | 2010-12-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2013-12-25 | 2014-06-26 | 2014-12-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2017-12-25 | 2018-06-26 | 2018-12-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |