Method of generating an implementation of a workflow process model in an object environment

US6308224A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• International Business Machines Corporation · US

Inventors

• Frank Leymann · Aidlingen, DE
• Dieter Roller · Schenefeld, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 28, 1997
• Grant date: Oct 23, 2001
• Expiry date: Mar 28, 2017

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G05B17/02
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method of extending the specifications of a process model within a workflow process environment is disclosed. The process model defines a process activity managed and executed by at least one computer system. The method of extending links the process model with an object environment within which the process activity is to be implemented. This link is realized by a step of relating the process model to at least one object class and one object method residing within the object environment and implementing a process activity. The method of extending also relates the fields of the input and output containers with the input and output parameters of the related object method. Furthermore the method of extending relates and maps exceptions which might be signaled by the related object method within the object environment to return code fields of the process model. In conjunction with the method of extending the specifications of a process model there is also disclosed a computerized method for automatically generating an implementation of a process model managed and executed by at least one computer system.