System and method for workflow-driven data storage
First Claim
1. A computer program embodied on a non-transitory computer readable medium, comprising:
- program instructions for receiving a data object in a data storage system to be managed in a workflow process including a plurality of states;
program instructions for determining an expected change to the state of the workflow process corresponding to the received data object based upon a plurality of state statistics, wherein the plurality of state statistics track activity associated with the plurality of states in the workflow process comprising of a length of time the workflow process remains in each of the plurality of states, the probability of branching to a given state of the workflow, and the frequency of access to the data object associated with one or more states;
program instructions for collecting information about historical state changes of the workflow process;
program instructions for applying the collected information about historical state changes of the workflow process to adjust the plurality of state statistics, wherein the applying the collected information comprises determining a new state statistic by using a recent state statistic and a past state statistic; and
program instructions for managing storage of the received data object within the data storage system based on the expected change to the state of the workflow process corresponding to the received data object.
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Abstract
Programs, systems and methods are described for efficiently storing data as used under a workflow-driven model. A workflow process is defined to control the processing of data objects through different states, e.g., such as an insurance claim document passing through different stages of processing. The workflow process is modeled and employed to manage the storage system based upon predicted state changes derived from state statistics that can be applied to enhance efficiency. For example, copies of the data object may be automatically made when the data object is expected to change state. Some anticipated states implicating high access may direct a storage location with low access time. Hints or requirements for the data object may be applied upon occurrence of an expected state change. Storage management of expected state changes may be further enhanced through dynamic adjustment of the state statistics using collected historical state information to further enhance efficiency.
25 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A computer program embodied on a non-transitory computer readable medium, comprising:
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program instructions for receiving a data object in a data storage system to be managed in a workflow process including a plurality of states; program instructions for determining an expected change to the state of the workflow process corresponding to the received data object based upon a plurality of state statistics, wherein the plurality of state statistics track activity associated with the plurality of states in the workflow process comprising of a length of time the workflow process remains in each of the plurality of states, the probability of branching to a given state of the workflow, and the frequency of access to the data object associated with one or more states; program instructions for collecting information about historical state changes of the workflow process; program instructions for applying the collected information about historical state changes of the workflow process to adjust the plurality of state statistics, wherein the applying the collected information comprises determining a new state statistic by using a recent state statistic and a past state statistic; and program instructions for managing storage of the received data object within the data storage system based on the expected change to the state of the workflow process corresponding to the received data object. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method, comprising the steps of:
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receiving a data object in a data storage system to be managed in a workflow process that includes a plurality of states; determining an expected change to the state of the workflow process corresponding to the received data object based upon a plurality of state statistics, wherein the plurality of state statistics track activity associated with the plurality of states in the workflow process comprising of a length of time the workflow process remains in each of the plurality of states, the probability of branching to a given state of the workflow, and the frequency of access to the data object associated with one or more states; collecting information about historical state changes of the workflow process; applying the collected information about historical state changes of the workflow process to adjust the plurality of state statistics, wherein the applying the collected information comprises determining a new state statistic by using a recent state statistic and a past state statistic; and managing storage of the received data object within the data storage system based on the expected change to the state of the workflow process corresponding to the received data object. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system, comprising:
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a workflow engine for defining a workflow process including a plurality of states for one or more data objects; a workflow monitor for tracking activity associated with the one or more data objects and updating state information associated with the one or more data objects; an information manager for maintaining the state information received from the workflow monitor; a phase change detector for detecting a change in the state information associated with each of the one or more data objects maintained by the information manager; a storage manager for determining an expected change to the state of the workflow process corresponding to the received data object based upon a plurality of state statistics, wherein the plurality of state statistics track activity associated with the plurality of states in the workflow process comprising of a length of time the workflow process remains in each of the plurality of states, the probability of branching to a given state of the workflow, and the frequency of access to the data object associated with one or more states and managing storage of the one or more data objects within the data storage system based on the expected change to the state of the workflow process corresponding to the one or more data objects; and wherein the information manager collects information about historical state changes of the workflow process and applies the collected information about historical state changes of the workflow process to adjust the plurality of state statistics, wherein the applying the collected information comprises determining a new state statistic by using a recent state statistic and a past state statistic. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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Specification