Workflow administration tools and user interfaces
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system comprising:
- a processor operable to execute instructions;
a storage device;
a memory device holding data including instructions operable on the processor to manage one or more databases with data stored in the storage device, the instructions operable to manage;
a package database defining a document package in a document workflow, the package database including a package record relating the document package to one or more document identifiers and to a workflow template record, and data identifying queues that have processed the document package;
a workflow template database defining template workflows, the workflow template database including the workflow template record relating a document type to a template of workflow actions, and data identifying deadlines by which certain actions need to be performed;
a template queue database including template queue records associating the workflow template record to a queue record;
a queue database defining a number of queues to which the package can be routed, the queue database including the queue record relating one or more system users to one of the number of queues;
a user database including user records, wherein each user record includes a user identifier representative of a system user that performs tasks in response to the document identifier of the package being in the one of the number of queues;
a group database including group records that define one or more groups of system users that will perform the certain actions needed to be performed, wherein each group record includes;
a group identifier, anduser identifiers associated with the group identifier;
a workflow process management module operable to;
identify queues that have processed document packages,identify a next queue to receive a given document package, androute the given document package to the identified next queue; and
a user-group management user interface including user-group record fields including the group identifier and one or more user identifiers, wherein the user-group management user interface is operable to;
receive input into the user-group record fields,generate a script, the execution of which causes input received in the user-group record fields to be stored as a group record, andsubmit the group record to the group database.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Various embodiments include systems, methods, and user interfaces that provide abilities to administer data in a workflow system. In some embodiments, the workflow system is a portion of a larger system, such as a document management system.
84 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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a processor operable to execute instructions; a storage device; a memory device holding data including instructions operable on the processor to manage one or more databases with data stored in the storage device, the instructions operable to manage; a package database defining a document package in a document workflow, the package database including a package record relating the document package to one or more document identifiers and to a workflow template record, and data identifying queues that have processed the document package; a workflow template database defining template workflows, the workflow template database including the workflow template record relating a document type to a template of workflow actions, and data identifying deadlines by which certain actions need to be performed; a template queue database including template queue records associating the workflow template record to a queue record; a queue database defining a number of queues to which the package can be routed, the queue database including the queue record relating one or more system users to one of the number of queues; a user database including user records, wherein each user record includes a user identifier representative of a system user that performs tasks in response to the document identifier of the package being in the one of the number of queues; a group database including group records that define one or more groups of system users that will perform the certain actions needed to be performed, wherein each group record includes; a group identifier, and user identifiers associated with the group identifier; a workflow process management module operable to; identify queues that have processed document packages, identify a next queue to receive a given document package, and route the given document package to the identified next queue; and a user-group management user interface including user-group record fields including the group identifier and one or more user identifiers, wherein the user-group management user interface is operable to; receive input into the user-group record fields, generate a script, the execution of which causes input received in the user-group record fields to be stored as a group record, and submit the group record to the group database. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method comprising:
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maintaining a package database defining a document package in a document workflow, the package database including a package record relating the document package to one or more document identifiers and to a workflow template record identifier, and data identifying queues that have processed the document package; maintaining a workflow database including workflow template records, wherein a given workflow template record defines a workflow process for one or more document types in a document management system, wherein the given workflow template record includes; a form code to associate the given workflow template record with a document type, one or more groups involved in the workflow processing of the document type, and data identifying deadlines by which certain actions need to be performed; maintaining a template queue database including template queue records associating a workflow template record to a queue record; maintaining a queue database defining a number of queues to which a package can be routed, the queue database including the queue record relating one or more system users to one of the number of queues; maintaining a user database including user records representative of system users, wherein each record includes a user identifier representative of a system user that performs tasks in response to a document of the package within a document workflow; maintaining a group database including group records that define one or more system user groups, wherein each group record includes; a group identifier, and user identifiers associated with the group identifier; providing a workflow process management module operable to; identify queues that have processed document packages, identify a next queue to receive a given package, and route the given package to the identified next queue; and providing a user-group management user interface including user-group record fields including a group identifier and one or more user identifiers, wherein the user-group management user interface is operable to; receive input into the user-group record fields, generate a script, the execution of which causes input received in the user-group record fields to be stored as a group record, and submit the script to the group database. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A machine-readable medium, with instructions thereon that when processed, result in a machine:
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maintaining a package database defining a document package in a document workflow, the package database including a package record relating the document package to one or more document identifiers and to a workflow template record identifier, and data identifying queues that have processed the document package; maintaining a workflow database including workflow template records, wherein a given workflow template record defines a workflow process for one or more document types in a document management system, wherein the given workflow template record includes; a form code to associate the given workflow template record with a document type, one or more groups involved in the workflow processing of the document type, and data identifying deadlines by which certain actions need to be performed; maintaining a template queue database including template queue records associating a workflow template record to a queue record; maintaining a queue database defining a number of queues to which a package can be routed, the queue database including the queue record relating one or more system users to one of the number of queues; maintaining a user database including user records representative of the one or more system users, wherein each user record includes a user identifier representative of one of the one or more system users that performs tasks in response to a document of the package within a document workflow; maintaining a group database including group records that define one or more system user groups, wherein each group record includes; a group identifier, and user identifiers associated with the group identifier; providing a workflow process management module operable to; identify queues that have processed document packages, identify a next queue to receive a given package, and route the given package to the identified next queue; and providing a user-group management user interface including user-group record fields including a group identifier and one or more user identifiers, wherein the user-group management user interface is operable to; receive input into the user-group record fields, generate a script, the execution of which causes input received in the user-group record fields to be stored as a group record, and submit the script to the group database. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification