Method and apparatus for managing and displaying user authorizations for a business process managed using a state machine
US7627484B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 11, 2001 |
| Grant date | Dec 1, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 6, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S707/99935
- WIPO fieldIT methods for management
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus are disclosed for managing access control for a business process that is managed using a state machine. A domain represents the various trading mechanisms that are supported by a business process. Domains are placed at the highest level in a tree structure. Within each domain, there is one or more different flow types defined, such as flow types for buyers and sellers. Within each flow type, one or more flows or business processes may be defined. A flow defines the order of the steps required to produce an object. Each flow typically begins with a mandatory “start” state, having one or more transitions to additional states. Each transition may contain an access control guard. The guards on the transitions leading from the start state can be referenced to determine the user's authorization to access the domains, flow types, and flows. In this manner, the menu of options presented to the user may be automatically tailored to present only those actions which the particular user is authorized to perform. Thus, a navigational tool is provided that presents the various valid choices that are available to the end-user.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.