Method for managing workflow based on electronic mail system
US6594636B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 21, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jul 15, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 21, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06Q10/0633
- WIPO fieldIT methods for management
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
In a workflow management system, a mail instance can be easily registered as a workflow instance and workflow definitions, and a workflow instance can be replaced at any process stage by other workflow definitions including present workflow definitions. A mail flow pattern is extracted from a mail transmission audit data storage unit, and a flow definition comparison part compares the mail flow pattern with the flow definitions stored in a workflow definition storage unit. A definition registration part and an instance registration part register the mail flow pattern information as instance information of designated workflow definitions and as new workflow definitions. In accordance with predefined workflow definitions, intersectional workflow definitions and extended workflow definitions corresponding to a mail flow are selected and displayed. The mail flow pattern is registered in the workflow definition storage unit as flow definitions based upon the flow definitions selected from among the displayed workflow definitions.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.