Workflows with associated processes

• US 20020138543A1
• Filed: 11/30/2001
• Published: 09/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oracle International Corporation (Oracle Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Oracle International Corporation (Oracle Corporation)
• Inventors: Teng, Joan C., Remahl, Thomas B.
• Granted Patent: US 7,937,655 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 718/102
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/41 where a single sign-on provides access to a plurality of computers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6218 to a system of files or objects, e.g. local or distributed file system or database
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2119 Authenticating web pages, e.g. with suspicious links
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0442 wherein the sending and receiving network entities apply asymmetric encryption, i.e. different keys for encryption and decryption cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for public-key encryption H04L9/30
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0823 using certificates cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving certificates H04L9/3263
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1001 for accessing one among a plurality of replicated servers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/5682 Policies or rules for updating, deleting or replacing the stored data
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]

Abstract

Workflows are used to automate processes. When a first workflow is performed, it may invoke a set of one or more nested workflows, workflows in other applications or services in other applications. The first workflow can be configured to pause and wait for the invoked set of one or more nested workflows, workflows in other applications, or services in other applications. Alternatively, the first workflow can be configured to proceed without waiting. Various means are disclosed for re-staring the first workflow and providing data back for the first workflow.

Claims

1. A method for using workflows, comprising the steps of:

performing a first workflow, said first workflow performs a first task; and

starting a second workflow as a subflow of said first workflow, said second workflow performs a second task.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said step of performing said first workflow comprises the steps of:

accessing an indication of whether said first workflow should wait for said second workflow to complete said second task; and

waiting for said second workflow to complete said second task if said indication indicates to wait for said second workflow to complete said second task.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein:

said indication is a flag indicating that a particular step should wait for a subflow of a previous step.

4. A method according to claim 2, wherein:

said indication is a result code indicating that said first workflow should pause;

said step of starting a second workflow includes providing a callback command that can be used to restart said first workflow; and

said step of waiting pauses said first workflow until said callback command is invoked.

5. A method according to claim 2, wherein:

said first workflow is performed by a first application; and

said second workflow is performed by a second application.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein said step of starting a second workflow comprises the steps of:

checking an event catalog to determine whether a particular event of said first workflow is identified in said event catalog; and

invoking a process listed in said event catalog as being associated with said particular event of said first workflow, said process includes initiating said second workflow.

7. A method according to claim 2, wherein said step of starting a second workflow comprises the steps of:

determining that a particular step of said first workflow includes a supplied variable;

searching for one or more workflows that can provide said supplied variable;

identifying said second workflow as a result of said step of searching; and

initiating said second workflow.

8. A method according to claim 7, further comprising the step of:

defining said first workflow, including indicating that said particular step of said first workflow includes said supplied variable.

9. A method according to claim 2, wherein said step of starting a second workflow comprises the steps of:

determining that a current step of said first workflow includes a supplied variable;

searching for one or more workflows that can provide said supplied variable;

identifying a set of workflows as a result of said step of searching, said a set of workflows includes said second workflow;

receiving a choice of said second workflow; and

initiating said second workflow.

10. A method according to claim 2, further comprising the step of:

starting one or more additional nested workflows as subflows of said second workflow.

11. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:

starting one or more additional nested workflows as subflows of said second workflow.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein said step of starting one or more additional nested workflows includes the step of:

starting a third workflow as a subflow of said second workflow.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein said step of starting one or more additional nested workflows further includes the step of:

starting a fourth workflow as a subflow of said third workflow.

14. A method according to claim 12, wherein said step of starting a third workflow comprises the steps of:

determining that a particular step of said second workflow includes a supplied variable;

searching for one or more workflows that can provide said supplied variable;

identifying said third workflow as a result of said step of searching; and

initiating said third workflow.

15. A method according to claim 11, wherein:

said first workflow is performed by a first application; and

said second workflow is performed by a second application.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein said step of starting a second workflow comprises the steps of:

checking an event catalog to determine whether a particular event of said first workflow is identified in said event catalog; and

invoking a process listed in said event catalog as being associated with said particular event of said first workflow, said process includes initiating said second workflow.

17. A method according to claim 11, wherein said step of starting a second workflow comprises the steps of:

determining that a particular step of said first workflow includes a supplied variable;

searching for one or more workflows that can provide said supplied variable;

identifying said second workflow as a result of said step of searching; and

initiating said second workflow.

18. A method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of:

defining said first workflow, including indicating that said particular step of said first workflow includes said supplied variable.

19. A method according to claim 11, wherein said step of starting a second workflow comprises the steps of:

determining that a current step of said first workflow includes a supplied variable;

searching for one or more workflows that can provide said supplied variable;

identifying a set of workflows as a result of said step of searching, said a set of workflows includes said second workflow;

receiving a choice of said second workflow; and

initiating said second workflow.

20. A method according to claim 11, further comprising the steps of:

reporting a result of said second workflow to said first workflow, if said first workflow is active; and

reporting said result of said second workflow to an identity profile, if said first workflow is not active.

21. A method according to claim 1, wherein said step of starting a second workflow comprises the steps of:

receiving a notification to pause said first workflow;

providing a callback command that can be used to restart said first workflow; and

pausing said first workflow until said callback command is invoked.

22. A method according to claim 21, wherein:

said step of providing is performed prior to said step of receiving a notification.

23. A method according to claim 21, wherein:

said callback command includes a callback URL.

24. A method according to claim 1, wherein:

said first workflow is performed by a first application; and

said second workflow is performed by a second application.

25. A method according to claim 24, wherein said step of starting a second workflow comprises the steps of:

checking an event catalog to determine whether a particular event of said first workflow is identified in said event catalog; and

invoking a process listed in said event catalog as being associated with said particular event of said first workflow, said process includes initiating said second workflow.

26. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

reporting a result of said second workflow to said first workflow, if said first workflow is active; and

reporting said result of said second workflow to an identity profile, if said first workflow is not active.

28. A method according to claim 27, wherein:

said second process is a second workflow.

29. A method according to claim 28, wherein:

said first application is a User Manager;

said second application is a Group Manager;

said first workflows adds a new user to a directory; and

said second workflow adds said new user to one or more groups.

30. A method according to claim 27, wherein said step of causing comprises the steps of:

checking an event catalog to determine whether a particular event of said first workflow is identified in said event catalog; and

invoking a program listed in said event catalog as being associated with said particular event of said first workflow, said program sends a request to said second application to invoke said second process.

31. A method according to claim 30, wherein:

said first workflow operates on an identity profile; and

said step of invoking includes said program includes passing one or more attributes of said identity profile to said program.

32. A method according to claim 30, wherein:

said first workflow operates on an identity profile; and

said step of invoking includes said program includes passing a distinguished name for said identity profile to said program.

33. A method according to claim 30, wherein:

said program creates and send an XML document to said second application, said XML document includes said request to said second application to invoke said second process.

34. A method according to claim 30, wherein:

said second process is a second workflow.

35. A method according to claim 30, further comprising the step of:

receiving an output XML document from said second application, said output XML document is received by said program and includes an output message from said second application.

36. A method according to claim 30, wherein said step of starting a second workflow comprises the steps of:

receiving a status message from said program indicating to pause said first workflow;

providing a callback command to said program that can be used to restart said first workflow; and

pausing said first workflow until said callback command is invoked.

37. A method according to claim 30, wherein:

said program reads a configuration file and determines to invoke said second process based on said configuration file, said second process is a second workflow.

39. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 38, wherein said step of performing said first workflow comprises the steps of:

accessing an indication of whether said first workflow should wait for said second workflow to complete said second task; and

waiting for said second workflow to complete said second task if said indication indicates to wait for said second workflow to complete said second task.

40. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 39, wherein:

said indication is a result code indicating that said first workflow should pause;

said step of starting a second workflow includes providing a callback command that can be used to restart said first workflow; and

said step of waiting pauses said first workflow until said callback command is invoked.

41. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 39, wherein:

said first workflow is performed by a first application; and

said second workflow is performed by a second application.

42. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 41, wherein said step of starting a second workflow comprises the steps of:

checking an event catalog to determine whether a particular event of said first workflow is identified in said event catalog; and

invoking a process listed in said event catalog as being associated with said particular event of said first workflow, said process includes initiating said second workflow.

43. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 39, wherein said step of starting a second workflow comprises the steps of:

determining that a particular step of said first workflow includes a supplied variable;

searching for one or more workflows that can provide said supplied variable;

identifying said second workflow as a result of said step of searching; and

initiating said second workflow.

44. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 38, wherein said method further comprises the step of:

starting one or more additional nested workflows as subflows of said second workflow.

45. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 44, wherein said step of starting a second workflow comprises the steps of:

determining that a particular step of said first workflow includes a supplied variable;

searching for one or more workflows that can provide said supplied variable;

identifying said second workflow as a result of said step of searching; and

initiating said second workflow.

46. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 44, further comprising the steps of:

reporting a result of said second workflow to said first workflow, if said first workflow is active; and

reporting said result of said second workflow to an identity profile, if said first workflow is not active.

47. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 38, wherein said step of starting a second workflow comprises the steps of:

receiving a notification to pause said first workflow;

providing a callback command that can be used to restart said first workflow; and

pausing said first workflow until said callback command is invoked.

48. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 38, wherein:

said first workflow is performed by a first application; and

said second workflow is performed by a second application.

50. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 49, wherein said step of causing comprises the steps of:

checking an event catalog to determine whether a particular event of said first workflow is identified in said event catalog; and

invoking a program listed in said event catalog as being associated with said particular event of said first workflow, said program sends a request to said second application to invoke said second process.

51. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 50, wherein:

said first workflow operates on an identity profile; and

said step of invoking includes said program includes passing one or more attributes of said identity profile to said program.

52. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 50, wherein said step of starting a second workflow comprises the steps of:

receiving a status message from said program indicating to pause said first workflow;

providing a callback command to said program that can be used to restart said first workflow; and

pausing said first workflow until said callback command is invoked.

27. A method for using workflows, comprising the steps of:

performing a first workflow in a first application; and

causing a second process in a second application to be performed in response to said first workflow.

38. One or more processor readable storage devices having processor readable code embodied on said processor readable storage devices, said processor readable code for programming one or more processors to perform a method comprising the steps of:

performing a first workflow, said first workflow performs a first task; and

starting a second workflow as a subflow of said first workflow, said second workflow performs a second task.

49. One or more processor readable storage devices having processor readable code embodied on said processor readable storage devices, said processor readable code for programming one or more processors to perform a method comprising the steps of:

performing a first workflow in a first application; and

causing a second process in a second application to be performed in response to said first workflow.

53. An apparatus that can use workflows, comprising:

a communication interface; and

one or more processors in communication with said communication interface, said one or more processors perform a method comprising the steps of;

performing a first workflow, said first workflow performs a first task, and starting a second workflow as a subflow of said first workflow, said second workflow performs a second task.

54. An apparatus according to claim 53, wherein said step of performing said first workflow comprises the steps of:

accessing an indication of whether said first workflow should wait for said second workflow to complete said second task; and

waiting for said second workflow to complete said second task if said indication indicates to wait for said second workflow to complete said second task.

55. An apparatus according to claim 54, wherein:

said indication is a result code indicating that said first workflow should pause;

said step of starting a second workflow includes providing a callback command that can be used to restart said first workflow; and

said step of waiting pauses said first workflow until said callback command is invoked.

56. An apparatus according to claim 55, wherein:

said first workflow is performed by a first application; and

said second workflow is performed by a second application.

57. An apparatus according to claim 56, wherein said step of starting a second workflow comprises the steps of:

checking an event catalog to determine whether a particular event of said first workflow is identified in said event catalog; and

invoking a process listed in said event catalog as being associated with said particular event of said first workflow, said process includes initiating said second workflow.

58. An apparatus according to claim 54, wherein said step of starting a second workflow comprises the steps of:

determining that a particular step of said first workflow includes a supplied variable;

searching for one or more workflows that can provide said supplied variable;

identifying said second workflow as a result of said step of searching; and

initiating said second workflow.

59. An apparatus according to claim 54, wherein said method further comprising the step of:

starting one or more additional nested workflows as subflows of said second workflow.

60. An apparatus that can use workflows, comprising:

a communication interface; and

one or more processors in communication with said communication interface, said one or more processors perform a method comprising the steps of;

performing a first workflow in a first application, and causing a second process in a second application to be performed in response to said first workflow.

61. An apparatus according to claim 60, wherein said step of causing comprises the steps of:

checking an event catalog to determine whether a particular event of said first workflow is identified in said event catalog; and

invoking a program listed in said event catalog as being associated with said particular event of said first workflow, said program sends a request to said second application to invoke said second process.

62. An apparatus according to claim 61, wherein:

said first workflow operates on an identity profile; and

said step of invoking includes said program includes passing one or more attributes of said identity profile to said program.

63. An apparatus according to claim 61, wherein said step of starting a second workflow comprises the steps of:

receiving a status message from said program indicating to pause said first workflow;

providing a callback command to said program that can be used to restart said first workflow; and

pausing said first workflow until said callback command is invoked.