File based workflow system and methods
First Claim
1. A tailored, classified file attachment screen provided to a user by a server connected to a network wherein the tailored, classified file attachment screen is associated with a step in a workflow route such that the classification of the file to be attached and the configuration of the file attachment means for the tailored, classified file attachment screen are provided by the workflow step and, using the file attachment means, the user can attach a file that is then sent with the classification information to the server.
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Abstract
This invention is related to workflow systems to support the control and execution of business processes and in particular business processes where the information is in the form of files. In the present invention, a business process is divided into steps where each step is executed by a person or program. A route is a representation of the sequence of steps in the process. The route can be used in a workflow system to control the execution of each step and track the progress of the route and hence the progress of the business process. Workflow systems have been applied to business processes where the information to be processed can be read on or entered into a computer screen. The present invention supports business processes where the information is in the form of computer files and the process steps are executed by users or programs that use files delivered by the workflow as input and produce files as output that are to be used in subsequent steps and deposited through the workflow screens for use in these subsequent steps. The invention provides for computer screens that direct specific files to be delivered and request specific files for deposit and provides for organization of the files to support the process implemented by the route.
70 Citations
20 Claims
- 1. A tailored, classified file attachment screen provided to a user by a server connected to a network wherein the tailored, classified file attachment screen is associated with a step in a workflow route such that the classification of the file to be attached and the configuration of the file attachment means for the tailored, classified file attachment screen are provided by the workflow step and, using the file attachment means, the user can attach a file that is then sent with the classification information to the server.
- 5. A tailored, classified file download screen provided to a user by a server connected to a network wherein the tailored, classified file download screen is associated with a step in a workflow route such that the classification of the file to be downloaded and the configuration of the file download means for the tailored, classified file download screen are provided by the workflow step, enabling the user to download the file from the server.
- 10. A file based workflow system connected to a network wherein the file based workflow system contains a classification table and a route, a sequence of steps, and for a step requiring a file attachment, the step is associated with a tailored, classified file attachment screen and for a step requiring a file download, the step is associated with a tailored, classified file download screen.
Specification