Modeling user input and interaction in workflow based applications

• US 9,710,773 B2
• Filed: 09/26/2014
• Issued: 07/18/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Sanabria, Andres, Mihai, Constantin, Kothari, Nikhil, Harder, Michael, Maybee, Paul E., Hilerio, Israel
• Primary Examiner(s): LOFTIS, JOHNNA RONEE
• Application Number:
  US14/497,799
• Publication Number:
  US 20150206079A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,026 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06316 Sequencing of tasks or work
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0633 Workflow analysis

Abstract

Systems and methods that implement interactivity as part of a workflow itself. Data is passed in and out of the workflow to form an interactive workflow, via employing an interactive activity component. Such interactive activity component models suspension points within a workflow definition, wherein user input and associated interaction can be supplied to the workflow during various interactivity breaks that request user input. Such an arrangement enables a controlled/synchronous data exchange between the workflow and a host application associated therewith.

Claims

1. A computer implemented system, comprising:

a processor; and

a memory comprising a workflow system and an interactive activity component, wherein;

the workflow system includes a workflow runtime, the workflow runtime being configured to execute a workflow that includes a plurality of workflow activities;

the workflow system is configured to receive data through the interactive activity component;

the interactive activity component is configured to receive user input and incorporate the user input into the workflow;

the workflow system is configured to suspend execution of the workflow when a suspension point associated with the interactive activity component is reached;

the workflow system is configured to supply the user input collected at the suspension point to the workflow; and

the workflow system is configured to resume execution of the workflow subsequent to receiving the user input.

2. The computer implemented system of claim 1, wherein the workflow system is also configured to send data to the interactive activity component.

3. The computer implemented system of claim 1, wherein the workflow system is configured to communicate state of the workflow to a component defining a user interface, the state being configured to affect an appearance of the user interface.

4. The computer implemented system of claim 1, wherein the interactive activity component is configured to receive the user input while the workflow is suspended.

5. The computer implemented system of claim 1, wherein the workflow is configured to enter an error state based on lapse of a period of time.

6. The computer implemented system of claim 1, wherein the workflow is configured for interaction with a plurality of different users.

7. The computer implemented system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of workflow activities include a starting activity, an interactive activity, and an ending activity.

8. A method, implemented at a computer system that includes a processor and a memory comprising a workflow system and an interactive activity component, the workflow system being configured to receive data through the interactive activity component, the method comprising:

executing a workflow by a workflow runtime of the workflow system, the workflow including a plurality of workflow activities;

receiving user input by the interactive activity component and incorporating the user input into the workflow;

suspending execution of the workflow when a suspension point associated with the interactive activity component is reached;

supplying the user input collected at the suspension point to the workflow; and

resuming execution of the workflow subsequent to receiving the user input.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the workflow system is also configured to send data to the interactive activity component.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the workflow system communicates state of the workflow to a component defining a user interface, the state being configured to affect an appearance of the user interface.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the interactive activity component receives the user input while the workflow is suspended.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the workflow enters an error state based on lapse of a period of time.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the workflow is configured for interaction with a plurality of different users.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein the plurality of workflow activities include a starting activity, an interactive activity, and an ending activity.

15. A computer program product comprising one or more hardware storage devices having stored thereon computer-executable instructions that are configured such that, when executed by one or more processors of a computer system, the computer executable instructions cause the computer system to instantiate a workflow system and an interactive activity component, and wherein:

the workflow system includes a workflow runtime, the workflow runtime being configured to execute a workflow that includes a plurality of workflow activities;

the workflow system is configured to receive data through the interactive activity component;

the interactive activity component is configured to receive user input and incorporate the user input into the workflow;

the workflow system is configured to suspend execution of the workflow when a suspension point associated with the interactive activity component is reached;

the workflow system is configured to supply the user input collected at the suspension point to the workflow; and

the workflow system is configured to resume execution of the workflow subsequent to receiving the user input.

16. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the workflow system is also configured to send data to the interactive activity component.

17. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the workflow system is configured to communicate state of the workflow to a component defining a user interface, the state being configured to affect an appearance of the user interface.

18. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the interactive activity component is configured to receive the user input while the workflow is suspended.

19. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the workflow is configured to enter an error state if an error occurs when collecting the user input.

20. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the plurality of workflow activities include a starting activity, an interactive activity, and an ending activity.