Workflow as data-transition driven, scriptable state machines

US7607130B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Microsoft Corporation · US

Inventors

• Kaviraj Singh · Redmond, US
• Tudor Toma · Bellevue, US
• David C. Johnson · Winston-Salem, US
• Scot J. Gellock · Kirkland, US
• Joseph P. Fernando · Woodinville, US
• Carlos P. Gomes · Redmond, US
• Min Wei · LaSalle, CA

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 8, 2004
• Grant date: Oct 20, 2009
• Expiry date: Feb 12, 2026

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q10/10
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A computing workflow system has a workflow process definition contained in a workflow table as script functions. The workflow table is part of an extended database schema operating with an extended store, a workflow engine and a script engine. The novel workflow system includes a server database having a data table and an associated workflow table. A workflow extended store is communicatively coupled to the server database. A workflow engine is also communicatively coupled to the server database and to the workflow extended store. Further, a script engine is communicatively coupled to the workflow engine. The workflow table includes workflow rules and associated code to be executed by the workflow engine. Each row of the workflow table represents a workflow step. Script functions are defined in the workflow table to evaluate the condition and execute the action of each workflow step. The rules and associated code in the workflow table is both declarative and procedural. The workflow engine compares the data change information from the extended store procedure with the workflow definition in the workflow table and determines the appropriate step that needs to be executed. Then it ch…