Modeling user input and interaction in workflow based applications

• US 20070156485A1
• Filed: 12/29/2005
• Published: 07/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Kothari, Nikhil, Hilerio, Israel, Maybee, Paul, Harder, Michael, Sanabria, Andres, Mihai, Constantin
• Granted Patent: US 8,849,691 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/8
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06316 Sequencing of tasks or work
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0633 Workflow analysis

Abstract

Systems and methods that implement interactivity as part of a workflow itself. Data is passed in and out of the workflow to form an interactive workflow, via employing an interactive activity component. Such interactive activity component models suspension points within a workflow definition, wherein user input and associated interaction can be supplied to the workflow during various interactivity breaks that request user input. Such an arrangement enables a controlled/synchronous data exchange between the workflow and a host application associated therewith.

Claims

1. A computer implemented system comprising the following computer executable components:

a workflow system having an interactive activity component that models suspension points within a workflow; and

a host that exchanges data with the workflow at the suspension points.

2. The computer implemented system of claim 1, the suspension points with interactivity breaks for user input.

3. The computer implemented system of claim 1, the interactive activity component with switch user capabilities.

4. The computer implemented system of claim 2, the workflow loadable based on identification associated therewith.

5. The computer implemented system of claim 1, the suspension points associated with a changeable User Interface (UI) appearance of the workflow.

6. The computer implemented system of claim 5, the UI drivable based on state of the workflow during suspension.

7. The computer implemented system of claim 5, the workflow resumable by an activity of the host.

8. The computer implemented system of claim 5, the workflow system with a workflow provider class for communication with the host.

9. A computer implemented method comprising the following computer executable acts:

encountering an activity that suspends a workflow,

exchanging data between a host and the workflow during suspension of the workflow.

10. The computer implemented method of claim 9 further comprising setting data by the host.

11. The computer implemented method of claim 9 further comprising sending an event by the host to the workflow to resume execution.

12. The computer implemented method of claim 9 loading a workflow based on an identification of a workflow instance.

13. The computer implemented method of claim 9 further comprising verifying whether data is a resume event.

14. The computer implemented method of claim 9 further comprising raising a suspension event to the host.

15. The computer implemented method of claim 14 further comprising one of a switching and modifying a UI based on the suspension event.

16. The computer implemented method of claim 14 further comprising supplying a user input to the workflow.

17. The computer implemented method of claim 14 further comprising subscribing the host to suspending events within a workflow.

18. The computer implemented method of claim 14 further comprising determining a state of the workflow via querying a workflow instance to identify an interaction activity that caused suspension of the workflow.

19. The computer implemented method of claim 14 further comprising changing an appearance of the workflow based on suspension points.

20. A computer implemented system comprising the following computer executable components:

means for suspending a workflow; and

means for exchanging data between a host and the workflow during suspension of the workflow.