Document-based workflows
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- accessing a data structure that defines an ordered plurality of documents, wherein the data structure comprises a plurality of items, wherein each particular item of the plurality of items indicates;
a location at which a different document in the plurality of documents is stored and an ordering for the different document within the plurality of documents;
wherein the data structure includes dependency data indicating dependencies between documents within the ordered plurality of documents;
based on the data structure, displaying in a graphical user interface a representation of the ordered plurality of documents;
receiving, via the graphical user interface, input indicating an action to perform with respect to at least a particular document in the ordered plurality of documents;
based on the dependency data in the data structure, determining that the particular document is dependent upon data stored in or output by at least a first document in the ordered plurality of documents that is ordered ahead of the particular document;
detecting a change in data stored in or output by the first document;
responsive to detecting the change, and further responsive to determining that the particular document is dependent upon data stored in or output by at least the first document, updating the particular document to reflect the change in the data stored in or output by the first document;
responsive to the input, causing the action to be performed with respect to at least the updated particular document; and
wherein the dependency data indicates the ordering;
wherein the method is performed by one or more computing devices.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A workflow application allows users to store, manage, and perform tasks related to workflows comprised of ordered sets of documents. The application provides an interface for creating and managing a workflow. Each document added to the workflow is assigned to a particular position in the workflow. Via the interface, the user saves data defining the workflow. In this manner, the workflow may be shared or preserved for subsequent re-use. The application allows a user to perform various tasks with respect to the workflow. Via an interface control presented by the application, the user instigates such tasks. In response, the application causes the task to be performed for each document in the workflow in an order corresponding to the arrangement of the documents within the workflow. For example, the application may render and print each document in the workflow. Or, the application may generate a combined workflow report.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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accessing a data structure that defines an ordered plurality of documents, wherein the data structure comprises a plurality of items, wherein each particular item of the plurality of items indicates;
a location at which a different document in the plurality of documents is stored and an ordering for the different document within the plurality of documents;wherein the data structure includes dependency data indicating dependencies between documents within the ordered plurality of documents;
based on the data structure, displaying in a graphical user interface a representation of the ordered plurality of documents;receiving, via the graphical user interface, input indicating an action to perform with respect to at least a particular document in the ordered plurality of documents; based on the dependency data in the data structure, determining that the particular document is dependent upon data stored in or output by at least a first document in the ordered plurality of documents that is ordered ahead of the particular document; detecting a change in data stored in or output by the first document; responsive to detecting the change, and further responsive to determining that the particular document is dependent upon data stored in or output by at least the first document, updating the particular document to reflect the change in the data stored in or output by the first document; responsive to the input, causing the action to be performed with respect to at least the updated particular document; and wherein the dependency data indicates the ordering; wherein the method is performed by one or more computing devices. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. One or more non-transitory storage media storing instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause:
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accessing a data structure that defines an ordered plurality of documents, wherein the data structure comprises a plurality of items, wherein each particular item of the plurality of items indicates;
a location at which a different document in the plurality of documents is stored and an ordering for the different document within the plurality of documents;wherein the data structure includes dependency data indicating dependencies between documents within the ordered plurality of documents; based on the data structure, displaying in a graphical user interface a representation of the ordered plurality of documents; receiving, via the graphical user interface, input indicating an action to perform with respect to at least a particular document in the ordered plurality of documents; based on the dependency data in the data structure, determining that the particular document is dependent upon data stored in or output by at least a first document in the ordered plurality of documents that is ordered ahead of the particular document; detecting a change in data stored in or output by the first document; responsive to detecting the change, and further responsive to determining that the particular document is dependent upon data stored in or output by at least the first document, updating the particular document to reflect the change in the data stored in or output by the first document; responsive to the input, causing the action to be performed with respect to at least the updated particular document; and wherein the dependency data indicates the ordering. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification