Method and system for managing workflow
US5999911A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 2, 1995 |
| Grant date | Dec 7, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 2, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06Q10/06316
- WIPO fieldIT methods for management
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A workflow manager system provides computer-assisted, graphical tools for defining and managing complex processes in terms of a workflow. A workflow includes a number of steps having step encapsulations and dependency relationships. Step encapsulations define the work to be performed by a step in a work flow such as launching a design tool. The dependency relationships represent the conditions that must be satisfied before a step can be performed and can be expressed in terms of boolean relationships using step and data states or data values as arguments. The workflow system manages the state of a workflow including the state of steps and data, and makes the workflow and its related data accessible to multiple users.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.