Computerized work flow system

• US 6,012,066 A
• Filed: 10/01/1997
• Issued: 01/04/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Vallon, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Vallon, Inc.
• Inventors: Tong, Tony, Discount, Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): Lintz, Paul R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Colbert, Ella
• Application Number:
  US08/942,401
• Time in Patent Office: 825 Days
• Field of Search: 707/103
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99944 Object-oriented database structure

Abstract

A computerized work flow system and computerized web site generation are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, a computerized system includes a work flow server. The server instantiates a process having a plurality of activities, and tracks completion of the plurality of activities as each activity is independently performed. In another embodiment, the work flow server comprises a web application server that receives Internet world-wide-web site orders. The web application server tracks the performance of the orders such that each activity within a work flow of activities is assignable for independent completion by different individuals.

Claims

1. A computerized method for tracking work flow of a function comprising:

selecting one of a list of defined processes;

instantiating the one of the list of defined processes as a current process;

adding the current process to a database of current processes;

instantiating one of a list of activities for the current process, wherein each activity may be performed independently from the other activities;

assigning the performance of the one of the list of defined activities as a role to a user;

adding the one of the list of activities to a database of current activities; and

,

removing the one of the list of activities from the database of current activities upon completion by the user.

2. The computerized method of claim 1, further comprising removing the current process from the database of current processes upon completion of the activities within the list of defined activities for the current process.

3. The computerized method of claim 1, wherein the function comprises web site generation.

4. The computerized method of claim 3, wherein the process comprises creating a new web site.

5. The computerized method of claim 3, wherein the list of activities comprises:

completing an online web site order form;

confirming one of a new domain name and a new company identifier; and

,

assigning a URL address for the new web site.

6. The computerized method of claim 3, wherein the list of activities comprises starting a second process, the second process having a second list of activities comprising:

completing header graphics for the web site;

completing textual content for the web site; and

, completing button images for the web site.

7. The computerized method of claim 6, wherein the second list of activities further comprises completing site enhancements for the web site.

8. The computerized method of claim 6, wherein the second list of activities further comprises processing customer-supplied images for the web site.

9. The computerized method of claim 6, wherein the second list of activities further comprises processing ordered stock photographs for the web site.

10. The computerized method of claim 6, wherein the second list of activities further comprises approving created components of the web site.

11. The computerized method of claim 10, wherein the second list of activities further comprises assembling the created components of the web site.

12. The computerized method of claim 11, wherein the second list of activities further comprises approving the created components of the web site as assembled.

13. The computerized method of claim 12, wherein the second list of activities further comprises requesting customer approval of the created components of the web site as assembled.

14. The computerized method of claim 13, wherein the second list of activities further comprises publishing and testing the web site.

15. The computerized method of claim 3, wherein the list of activities comprises:

sending a web site completion confirmation form; and

,

sending a web site generation invoice.

16. The computerized method of claim 3, wherein the list of activities comprises returning customer-submitted artwork.

17. The computerized method of claim 3, wherein the list of activities comprises setting hosting and maintenance plan information.

18. The computerized method of claim 3, wherein the list of activities comprises starting a third process, the third process having a third list of activities comprising registering the web site with at least one Internet search engine.