Application workflow framework

• US 9,946,516 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2014
• Issued: 04/17/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Starbucks Corporation
• Original Assignee: Starbucks Corporation
• Inventors: Herlitz, Jesse James, Peters, Jeffrey Ryan, Clark, Bryan John, Kruse, Dana Marie, Loewenthal, David C., Morgan, Justin T.
• Primary Examiner(s): To, Jennifer
• Assistant Examiner(s): Li, Liang
• Application Number:
  US14/214,079
• Publication Number:
  US 20150261391A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,495 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/34 Graphical or visual programming
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/38 for implementing user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/351 Virtual cards

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to utilizing an application workflow framework to manage workflow on an application executing on a computing device. An illustrative workflow routine can include multiple tasks than need to be completed in order to complete the workflow routine. Accordingly, a workflow framework has a workflow definition that that matches the specific workflow routine. Each of the specific tasks defined in the workflow routine can be represented by a number of interface elements within the application. At least some of the interface elements can have a number of states of execution defined by the workflow definition and having different content and display attributes. In one embodiment, the states of execution can include a pre-active state, an active state, and a post-active state.

Claims

1. A computing system comprising:

a processor configured with processor-executable instructions to execute an application framework, the application framework including;

an application user interface, executable on the computing system, the application user interface having an interface display area defining a focal point, and a plurality of interface elements, each interface element configured to have an associated workflow definition defining states of execution for each interface element,

wherein the workflow definition defines;

a pre-active state having a first interface element display of a first size and shape within the application display area, wherein the first interface element display is configured to display pre-active state display data;

an active state having a second interface element display of a second size and shape within the application display area, wherein the second interface element display includes an input control configured to receive an input data, wherein the at least one interface element is configured to transform to the second size and shape to display the input control during the active state, wherein the input control is not visible during the pre-active state; and

a post-active state having a third interface element display of the first size and shape within the application display area, wherein the third interface element display is configured to (i) modify the pre-active state display data to display at least a portion of the input data received during the active state, and (ii) transform to the first size and shape when transitioning from the active state to the post-active state, wherein the input control is not visible during the post-active state;

wherein said each interface element is configured to transition from the pre-active state to the active state based on a selection of one of the interface elements in accordance with the workflow definition,

wherein at least one interface element of said plurality of interface elements is configured to remain visible in a post-active state within the interface display area regardless of the interface element that is currently active within the interface display area, and

wherein said each interface element is configured to transition to the focal point within the interface display area when the interface element transitions from the pre-active state to the active state.

2. The computing system of claim 1, wherein at least one function is associated with the active state that is configured to be executed based on input data received by the input control.

3. The computing system of claim 1, wherein the active state of at least one of the at least one interface element has two or more active state layers.

4. The computing system of claim 1, wherein the input control is one of a text input, a dropdown list, and a slider input.

5. The computing system of claim 1, wherein a plurality of interface elements are configured to transition from the focal point to a non-focal point within the interface display area when the interface element transitions from the active state to the post-active state.

6. The computing system of claim 1, wherein the first interface element display and the third interface element display are the same size.

7. The computing system of claim 1, wherein the second selection display area is larger than the first interface element display and the third interface element display.

8. The computing system of claim 1, wherein the at least one interface element is configured to be confined within the interface display area when transitioning between states.

9. A computer-implemented method for processing user input in an application framework, the method comprising:

obtaining a workflow definition defining states of operation for a plurality of interface elements;

displaying the plurality of interface elements in an application interface display of a user interface, wherein each of the interface elements has at least one display characteristic and displays first display data;

receiving an input to select one of the plurality of the interface elements, wherein a previously selected interface element received a first input prior to selection of the selected interface element;

changing at least one display characteristic of the selected interface element to display at least one input control in accordance with the workflow definition, wherein the at least one input control is not visible prior to selection of the interface element;

positioning the selected interface element such that it substantially aligns with a focal point within the application interface display in accordance with the workflow definition;

displaying the first input received from the previously selected interface element within the application interface display area regardless of the selected interface element that is currently active within the application interface display area;

receiving input data to the at least one input control;

executing at least one function associated with the input data received by the input control in accordance with a workflow definition; and

changing at least one display characteristic associated with the selected interface element such that the selected interface element (i) modifies the first display data to display at least a portion of the received input data, and (ii) hides the at least one input control.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 9, wherein the states of operation comprise a pre-active state, an active state, and a post-active state.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 10, wherein displaying the plurality of interface elements in an application interface display of a user interface occurs during the pre-active state.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 9, wherein the changing of the at least one display characteristic of the selected interface element changes the size of the selected interface element.

13. The computer-implemented method of claim 9, wherein the size of the selectable interface element changes to accommodate the input parameters within the application interface display.

14. The computer-implemented method of claim 13, positioning the unselected interface elements to account for the change of size of the selected interface element.

15. The computer-implemented method of claim 9, wherein the selected interface does not change screens within the user interface when changing the at least one display characteristic.

16. A computer-implemented method of implementing an application framework workflow in an application, the method comprising:

providing an application user interface having an interface display area with a focal point, and a plurality of interface elements;

obtaining a workflow definition defining states of execution for each of the plurality of interface element,

wherein the workflow definition includes;

defining a pre-active state having a first interface element display within the application display area, wherein the first interface element display is configured to display pre-active state display data;

defining an active state having a second interface element display within the application display area, wherein the second interface element display includes at least one input control that is configured to receive an input data, wherein the interface element is configured to transform to display the at least one input control during the active state, wherein the at least one input control is not visible during the pre-active state; and

defining a post-active state having a third interface element display within the application display area, wherein the third interface element display is configured to modify the pre-active state display data to display at least a portion of the input data received during the active state, wherein the input control is not visible during the post-active state;

receiving an input selecting one of the plurality of interface elements, wherein a previously selected interface element received a first input prior to selection of the selected interface element;

transitioning the selected interface element to the active state in accordance with the workflow definition;

displaying the first input received from the previously selected interface element within the application display area regardless of the selected interface element that is currently active within the application display area; and

positioning the selected interface element based the position of the focal point within the interface display area.

17. The computer-implemented method of claim 16, further comprising transitioning selected interface element from the focal point to a non-focal point when the interface element transitions out of the active state.

18. The computer-implemented method of claim 16, wherein the selected element was in a pre-active state or a post-active state prior to being selected.

19. The computer-implemented of claim 16, further comprising:

receiving a input data from a user; and

executing a function during the active state based on the received input data.

20. A computer-implemented method for processing user input in an application framework, the method comprising:

displaying a plurality of interface elements in a user interface having an application interface display, wherein each of the interface elements displays first display data;

receiving an input to select one of the plurality of interface elements, wherein a previously selected interface element received a first input prior to selection of the selected interface element;

positioning the selected interface element based, at least in part, on the position of a focal point within the application interface display,

modifying a size and shape of the selected interface element to display at least one input control that is not visible until the interface element is selected;

positioning the unselected interface elements based, at least in part, on the position of the selected interface element;

displaying the first input received from the previously selected interface element within the application interface display regardless of the selected interface element that is currently active within the application interface display area;

receiving a user input data at the at least one input control;

executing a function based on the user input data;

after the function has been executed,

modifying the first display data of the selected interface element to display at least a portion of the user input data received by the at least one input control;

modifying a size and shape of the selected interface element to hide the at least on user input control; and

repositioning the plurality of interface elements.

21. The computer-implemented method of claim 20, wherein the selected element is in a pre-active state or a post-active state prior to being selected.

22. The computer-implemented method of claim 20, wherein the selected element is in a post-active state after executing the function.

23. The computer-implemented method of claim 20, wherein the function is logging a user into an account.

24. The computer-implemented method of claim 20, wherein the function is authorizing a payment transaction.