Workflow systems and methods
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A workflow system for processing a document, wherein the workflow system is connected to the Web and to an e-mail system, comprising:
- a first form route manager providing a Web page with a first URL, wherein the Web page includes the document, and a step field, wherein the first form route manager is capable of accessing a route, a sequence of e-mail addresses, comprising a first sequencer adapted to;
compare the step field with the route, define the next e-mail address based on the compare, update the e-mail address to the next e-mail address, and update the step field to the next step; and
an out-box adapted to send an e-mail with a second URL to the next e-mail address.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to message-based workflow systems and methods for computers operating on the World Wide Web. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a form route manager connected to an e-mail system and the World Wide Web. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a form route manager and computers connected to the e-mail system and the World Wide Web.
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Citations
52 Claims
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1. A workflow system for processing a document, wherein the workflow system is connected to the Web and to an e-mail system, comprising:
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a first form route manager providing a Web page with a first URL, wherein the Web page includes the document, and a step field, wherein the first form route manager is capable of accessing a route, a sequence of e-mail addresses, comprising a first sequencer adapted to;
compare the step field with the route, define the next e-mail address based on the compare, update the e-mail address to the next e-mail address, and update the step field to the next step; and
an out-box adapted to send an e-mail with a second URL to the next e-mail address. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18)
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9. The workflow system of 8, wherein the last e-mail address in the first route segment is the e-mail address of the second form route manager.
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16. The workflow system of 15, wherein the next e-mail address is further adapted to access the Web page provided by the second form route manager.
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19. The workflow system of 1, wherein the next e-mail address includes an in-box adapted to receive the e-mail from the first form route manager and an access to the Web page using the second URL in the e-mail.
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20. The workflow system of 1, wherein the first form route manager includes a Web site.
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21. A workflow system for processing a document, wherein the workflow system is connected to the Web and to an e-mail system, comprising:
- a form route manager capable of providing access to a Web page containing the document, defining a route, a step-by-step sequence of e-mail addresses, sending an e-mail to an e-mail address in the route, and adapted to send the e-mail to the next e-mail address in the route.
- View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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25. The workflow system of 21, wherein the next e-mail address is adapted to access the Web page using the e-mail.
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26. The workflow system of 21, wherein the form route manager includes a Web site.
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27. A workflow system for processing a document, wherein the workflow system is connected to the Web, comprising:
a form route manager capable of providing access to a Web page containing the document, defining a route, a step-by-step sequence of Web addresses, sending Web page data to a Web address in the route, and wherein the form route manager is adapted to send the Web page data to the next Web address in the route.
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28. The workflow system of 27, wherein the Web page has a route indicator and wherein the form route manager is further capable of defining multiple routes, each route having an indicator, comparing the route indicator with each route identifier, and determining the route for the Web page.
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29. The workflow system of 27 or log, wherein the document has an identifier and the form route manager further includes a location table with the document identifier and the next Web address of the document, and a move history table with the document identifier and a list of every Web address, which accessed the document.
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30. The workflow system of 27, wherein the route includes a plurality of branch routes at a step in the route, wherein the Web page includes a settable branch indicator and wherein the form route manager is adapted to select the branch route based on the setting of the branch indicator.
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31. The workflow system of 27, wherein the next Web address is adapted to access the Web page using the Web page data.
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32. The workflow system of 27, wherein the form route manager includes a Web site.
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33. A workflow system for processing a document, wherein the workflow system is connected to the Web, comprising:
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a first form route manager, providing a Web page with a first URL, wherein the Web page includes the document, and a step field, wherein the first form route manager is capable of accessing a route, a sequence of Web addresses, comprising a first sequencer adapted to;
compare the step field with the route, define the next Web address based on the compare, update the Web address to the next Web address, and update the step field to the next step; and
wherein the first form route manager is adapted to send Web page data with a second URL to the next Web address. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 49, 50)
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41. The workflow system of 40, wherein the last Web address in the first route segment is the Web address of the second form route manager.
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48. The workflow system of 47, wherein the next Web address is further adapted to access the Web page provided by the second form route manager.
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51. The workflow system of 33, wherein the next Web address includes a Web browser adapted to receive the Web page data from the first form route manager and an access the Web page using the Web page data.
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52. The worklfow system of 33, wherein the first form route manager includes a Web site.
Specification