Methods of performing an interdependent task on a document

• US 6,279,042 B1
• Filed: 10/13/1999
• Issued: 08/21/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Juniper Networks Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Solectron Corporation (Flex, Ltd.)
• Inventors: Ouchi, Norman Ken
• Primary Examiner(s): Maung, Zarni
• Application Number:
  US09/417,875
• Time in Patent Office: 678 Days
• Field of Search: 709/240, 709/206, 709/203, 709/219, 709/217
• US Class Current: 709/240
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

The present invention relates to message-based workflow systems and methods for computer networks. In one embodiment, the present invention provides three elements: (1) an e-mail system; (2) PC'"'"'s, terminals, or workstations connected by the e-mail system; and (3) a form route manager connected by the e-mail system.

Claims

1. A method of performing an interdependent task on a document by passing the access to the document among a plurality of users at e-mail addresses in a computer network, comprising:

separating the interdependent task into a route defining a sequence of steps where each step is processed by a user;

making accessible to a form route manager an e-mail with a step indicator at the completion of each step;

determining from the step indicator and the route, a next step and a next e-mail address;

updating the step indicator to the next step; and

making the e-mail accessible to the user with the next e-mail address.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the interdependent task breaks into a plurality of routes, each with a unique route identifier, wherein the e-mail has a route field with a route identifier, and wherein the route used to determine the next step and next e-mail address has a route identifier that matches the contents of the route field.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the document has a document identifier and the form route manager provides a location table with the current e-mail address which was given access to the document and a move history table with each e-mail address which was given access to the document.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising assigning a route identifier to the route, assigning a route name to the e-mail, and comparing the route identifier to the route name to determine the next step and next e-mail address.

5. The method of claim 1, further assigning a document identifier to the e-mail and entering the time that the e-mail with the document identifier was received in a move history table, and entering the current address of the e-mail with the document identifier in a location table.

6. A method of performing in a form route manager an interdependent task on a document by passing access to the document among a plurality of users at e-mail addresses in a computer network, comprising:

storing a route, a step-by-step sequence of e-mail addresses;

receiving e-mail including the document and a step indicator;

determining from the step indicator and the route, a next step and a next e-mail address

updating the step indicator to the next step and the e-mail address to the next e-mail address; and

sending the e-mail with the updated step indicator and the document to the next e-mail address.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising assigning a route identifier to the route, assigning a route name to the e-mail, and comparing the route identifier to the route name to determine the next step and next e-mail address.

8. The method of claim 6, further assigning a document identifier to the e-mail and entering the time that the e-mail with the document identifier was received in a move history table, and entering the current address of the e-mail with the document identifier in a location table.

9. A method of performing in a form route manager assigned a first URL an interdependent task on a document by passing access to the document among a plurality of users at e-mail addresses in a computer network, comprising:

storing a route, a step-by-step sequence of e-mail addresses;

receiving a web page, including the document and a step indicator;

determining from the route and the step indicator, whether it is the first step, the next step, and the next e-mail address;

updating the step indicator to the next step, the e-mail address to the next e-mail address, and if it is the first step, assigning a second URL to the document; and

sending the e-mail with the second URL, the updated step indicator, and the document to the next e-mail address.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising sending the document as a web pag to the next e-mail address based on receipt of a selection of the second URL, and receiving the document as a web page after processing of the document at the next e-mail address.

11. A method of performing in a form route manager assigned an IP address an interdependent task on a document by passing access to the document among a plurality of users at IP addresses in a computer network, comprising:

storing a route, a step-by-step sequence of IP addresses;

sending the document as a web page to a first IP address on the route;

receiving the web page, including the document and a step indicator, after the documen is processed at the first IP address on the route;

determining from the route and the step indicator, whether it is the first step, the next step and the next IP address on the route, and if it is the first step, assigning a URL to the document;

updating the step indicator to the second step and the IP address to a second IP address on the route;

sending the web page with the updated step indicator and the document to the second IP address on the route; and

receiving the web page, including the document and the updated indicator, after the document is processed at the second IP address on the route.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

determining from the step indicator and the route, the next step and the next IP address on the route after the document is processed at the second IP address on the route;

updating the step indicator to the third step and the IP address to the third IP address;

sending the web page with the updated step indicator and the document to the third IP address; and

receiving the web page, including the document and the updated indicator, after the document is processed at the third IP address on the route.

13. A method of performing interdependent task on a document in a web page by passing access to the document among a plurality of users at e-mail addresses in a computer network, comprising:

separating the interdependent task into a route defining a sequence of steps where each step is processed by a user;

making accessible to a form route manager a step indicator at the completion of each step;

determining from the step indicator and the route, the next step and the next e-mail address;

updating the step indicator to the next step; and

making the web page accessible to the user with the next e-mail address.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the interdependent task breaks into a plurality of routes, each with a unique route identifier, wherein the e-mail has a route field with a route identifier, and wherein the route used to determine the next step and next e-mail address has a route identifier that matches the contents of the route field.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the document has a document identifier and the form route manager provides a location table with the current e-mail address which was given access to the document and a move history table with each e-mail address which was given access to the document.

16. A method of performing interdependent task on a document in a web page by passing access to the document among a plurality of users at web addresses in a computer network, comprising:

separating the interdependent task into a route defining a sequence of steps where each step is processed by a user;

making accessible to a form route manager a step indicator at the completion of each step;

determining from the step indicator and the route, the next step and the next web address;

updating the step indicator to the next step; and

making the web page accessible to the user with the next web address.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein there are a plurality of routes, each with a unique route identifier, wherein the web page has a route field with a route identifier, and wherein the route used to determine the next step and next web address has a route identifier that matches the contents of the route field.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the document has a document identifier and the form route manager provides a location table with the current web address which was given access to the document and a move history table with each web address which was given access to the document.