System and method for defining a process structure for performing a task
First Claim
1. A computer-readable medium encoded with a computer program which when executed on a computer directs performance of steps of:
- receiving from a user a first process definition;
prompting a user of the computer to select of one of two complementary relationships, a first relationship defining how the first process is performed and a second relationship defining why the first process is performed;
displaying representations of the first and second process definitions in a physical relationship in which the representations are logically connected by an indicator of the selected relationship;
prompting the user to provide a verb and object that together define a first process;
prompting the user to provide a verb and object that together define a second process;
receiving from the user, plural instance of at least one of the first and the second processes; and
displaying the plural instances in a two dimensional grid having one axis along which the plural instances are arrayed and another axis along which processes bearing the relationship of how are arrayed adjacent to each other, related instances of different processes aligned in a single row.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for defining a process structure for performing a task. The system comprises a computer, having a data storage memory, a keyboard for inputting data and a screen. A user inputs a first process definition which comprises a verb word and an object word defining the task for which a structure is to be created. The user is then able to define subsequent process definitions which are a predicted consequence of executing the first process definition or a predicted constituent step in executing the first process definition. By analyzing each process definition at each stage a complete process structure for performing the task can be built up and refined. The user is also able to specify particular object words falling within the meaning of the object word of a particular process definition which can be called up in tabular form on the screen, overwriting the display of process definitions in the process structure.
94 Citations
32 Claims
-
1. A computer-readable medium encoded with a computer program which when executed on a computer directs performance of steps of:
-
receiving from a user a first process definition; prompting a user of the computer to select of one of two complementary relationships, a first relationship defining how the first process is performed and a second relationship defining why the first process is performed; displaying representations of the first and second process definitions in a physical relationship in which the representations are logically connected by an indicator of the selected relationship; prompting the user to provide a verb and object that together define a first process; prompting the user to provide a verb and object that together define a second process; receiving from the user, plural instance of at least one of the first and the second processes; and displaying the plural instances in a two dimensional grid having one axis along which the plural instances are arrayed and another axis along which processes bearing the relationship of how are arrayed adjacent to each other, related instances of different processes aligned in a single row. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
-
-
4. A computer-implemented method of modeling a task, the method comprising:
-
displaying on a display of a computer a first graphical element inviting entry of a first process definition; prompting a user of the computer to select of one of two complementary relationships, a first relationship defining how the first process is performed and a second relationship defining why the first process is performed; and displaying on the display a second graphical element adjacent to the first graphical element inviting entry of a second process definition related to the first process definition by the selected relationship; wherein prompting the user to select further comprises; displaying a graphical connector representative of the selected relationship between the first and second graphical elements; and displaying a control element which when activated toggles the graphical connector between the two complementary relationships. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A computer-implemented method of structuring development of a computer model of a task by a user, the method comprising:
-
prompting the user to input into a computer a first process definition, the first process being one component of performing the task; prompting a user of the computer to select of one of two complementary relationships, a first relationship defining how the first process is performed and a second relationship defining why the first process is performed; displaying on a display of the computer representations of the first and second process definitions in a manner indicating the one of the first or second relationship; receiving from the user plural instances of at least one of the first and the second processes; and displaying the plural instances in a two dimensional grid having one axis along which the plural instances are arrayed and another axis along which processes bearing the relationship of how are arrayed adjacent to each other, related instances of different processes aligned in a single row. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
-
-
29. A computer implemented method of structuring development of a computer model of a task by a user, the method comprising:
-
prompting the user to input into a computer a first process definition, the first process being one component of performing the task; prompting a user of the computer to select of one of two complementary relationships, a first relationship defining how the first process is performed and a second relationship defining why the first process is performed; and displaying on a display of the computer representations of the first and second process definitions in a manner indicating the one of the first or second relationship; wherein prompting a user to select further comprises; displaying a graphical connector representative of the selected relationship between the first and second graphical elements; and displaying a control element which when activated toggles the graphical connector between the two complementary relationships. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31)
-
-
32. A method of presenting on a display medium a model of a task including representations of a plurality of processes, the method comprising:
-
arranging the representations in such a manner on the display medium that it is evident from the arrangement when a first process defines at least one aspect of how a second process is performed and when the second process defines at least one aspect of why the first process is performed; including in the representations, instances of the plurality of processes, thus defining what one of the processes are modeled; and displaying a table of instances associated with one of the plurality of processes; wherein displaying the table further comprises; arranging along one axis of the table the plurality of processes, the first and second processes located in adjacent relationship to each other; and arranging along another axis of the table the instances.
-
Specification