US20030197733A1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dynamic process-based enterprise computing system and method
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
•
Filing: 2003-05-02
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2023-05-02
Abstract
Abstract Computer processes for carrying out almost any process may be defined as a series of steps using a plurality of standardized user-interface screens. These standardized interface screens may be linked together in predetermined orders to implement on a client computer activities for which the standardized screens are appropriate to accomplish a pre-defined process. Any number of computer processes may be developed and deployed using the standard interfaces. The computer process automatically takes a user from screen to screen, prompting the user to review or provide information or take appropriate action. Processes may be represented using metadata. Metadata may provide data to a screen rendering process running on a user's workstation with details on how to render one of a plurality of standard screens in a manner which is specific to a particular process. Metadata may be provided to define the steps of the process for enabling navigational capabilities. Metadata may stored in a database and communicated by a process server to a client computer, which acts as a user's workstation. This client-server system architecture allows maintenance of the computer processes in a central location and remote management of their use within a network. Furthermore, any number of application-specific computer processes may be made available and distributed to users without detailed programs for those processes having to be stored at each user workstation. Furthermore, basic interface functions with legacy databases and back-end systems may be provided to each user workstation in a network through the server system.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Beauchamp
- 👤 Brian Baker
- 👤 James Skufca
- 👤 Brett Wooldridge
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 09:00
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 98
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
1 . A method for process-based computing, comprising: transmitting a request for a step of a pre-defined process, wherein said request is transmitted from a client computer to a server computer; accessing a process database to retrieve process data for said request, wherein said accessing is performed by said server computer; transmitting said process data from said server computer to said client computer; and rendering one or more screens on a display as indicated by said process data for accomplishing said step, wherein said rendering is performed by said client computer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
1 . A method for process-based computing, comprising: transmitting a request for a step of a pre-defined process, wherein said request is transmitted from a client computer to a server computer; accessing a process database to retrieve process data for said request, wherein said accessing is performed by said server computer; transmitting said process data from said server computer to said client computer; and rendering one or more screens on a display as indicated by said process data for accomplishing said step, wherein said rendering is performed by said client computer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
2 . The method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising said server computer accessing data from an application or data store in response to said request; said server computer transmitting said data to said client computer; and said client computer rendering said data in said one or more screens as indicated by said process data.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
3 . The method as recited in claim 2 , wherein said server system accessing data from an application or data store comprises accessing an application or data store computer over a network.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
4 . The method as recited in claim 2 , wherein said server computer accessing data from an application or data store comprises calling a businesses object, wherein said business object provides the functionality to interface to said application or said data store.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
5 . The method as recited in claim 4 , wherein said business object and other business objects for interfacing to different applications and data stores are stored in a business object repository.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
6 . The method as recited in claim 5 , wherein said business object repository is included within said process database.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
7 . The method as recited in claim 5 , wherein said business objects are reusable objects.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
8 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein said server computer accessing a process database is performed over a network.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
9 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein all steps of said predefined process are defined by process data stored within said process database as metadata.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
10 . The method as recited in claim 9 , wherein said process database is an OBDC-compliant (Open DataBase Connectivity compliant) relational database.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
11 . The method as recited in claim 9 , wherein said process data stored in said process database is formatted in an extensible markup language (XML).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
12 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein said process data transmitted from said server computer to said client computer comprises extensible markup language (XML) formatted data.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
13 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein said process data is transmitted from said server computer to said client computer over an intranet
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
14 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein said process data is transmitted from said server computer to said client computer over the Internet.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
15 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein said rendering comprises displaying said one or more screens as indicated by said process data within a navigational framework.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
16 . The method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising: receiving user input on said client computer to complete said step; and said client computer requesting a next step from said server computer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
17 . The method as recited in claim 16 , further comprising repeating said receiving user input and said requesting a next step to complete said pre-defined process.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
55 words
18 . The method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising said server providing process data to accomplish the steps of said pre-defined process, wherein said server computer provides said process data for one step at a time, wherein process data for a next step is not provided until a current step is completed.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
19 . The method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising launching said pre-defined process from said client computer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
20 . The method as recited in claim 19 , wherein said launching comprises requesting a first step of said pre-defined process from said server computer.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
21 . The method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising transmitting navigational control data from said client computer to said server computer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
22 . The method as recited in claim 21 , wherein said transmitting navigational control data comprises requesting a next step of said pre-defined process from said server computer.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
23 . The method as recited in claim 21 , wherein said transmitting navigational control data comprises requesting a previous step of said pre-defined process from said server computer.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
24 . The method as recited in claim 21 , wherein said transmitting navigational control data comprises assigning said pre-defined process to a different user.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
35 words
25 . The method as recited in claim 21 , wherein said transmitting navigational control data comprises pausing said pre-defined process, wherein the current step of said predefined process is saved by said server computer.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
26 . The method as recited in claim 21 , wherein said transmitting navigational control data comprises canceling a current step of said pre-defined process.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
43 words
27 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein said rendering comprises displaying a target screen as indicated by said process data, wherein said target screen provides for manipulating a single row or record of data in a remote data store.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
39 words
28 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein said rendering comprises displaying a list screen as indicated by said process data, wherein said list screen provides for manipulating rows of data in a remote data store.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
34 words
29 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein said rendering comprises displaying a tree screen as indicated by said process data, wherein said tree screen provides for presenting hierarchically related data.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
38 words
30 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein said rendering comprises displaying a spreadsheet screen as indicated by said process data, wherein said spreadsheet screen provides for populating or manipulating data in a spreadsheet format.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
26 words
31 . The method as recited in claim 30 , wherein said server computer interfaces said spreadsheet screen on said client computer to a spreadsheet application.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
35 words
32 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein said rendering comprises displaying a document screen as indicated by said process data, wherein said document screen provides for populating or editing formatted documents.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
26 words
33 . The method as recited in claim 32 , wherein said server computer interfaces said document screen on said client computer to a document application.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
36 words
34 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein said rendering comprises displaying a browser screen as indicated by said process data, wherein said browser screen provides for viewing and navigating among information resources.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
34 words
35 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein said rendering comprises displaying a report screen as indicated by said process data, wherein said report screen provides for viewing an information resource.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
41 words
36 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein said rendering comprises displaying a calendar screen as indicated by said process data, wherein said calendar screen provides for manipulating data from a remote data store in a calendar format.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
41 words
37 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein said rendering comprises displaying a launch pad screen as indicated by said process data, wherein said launch pad screen list pre-defined processes available to be launched from said client computer.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
41 words
38 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein said rendering comprises displaying instruction for each of said one or more screens on how to complete a step of said pre-defined process associated with said one or more screens.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
32 words
39 . The method as recited in claim 38 , wherein said instructions are displayed within a framework common to said one or more screens for each step of said pre-defined process.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
25 words
40 . The method as recited in claim 39 , wherein said framework includes navigational controls for advancing or regressing steps in said pre-defined process.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
32 words
41 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein said request transmitted from said client computer to said server computer is transmitted using a protocol comprising hypertext transport protocol (HTTP).
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
26 words
42 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein said request is transmitted from said client computer to said server computer over an intranet.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
26 words
43 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein said request is transmitted from said client computer to said server computer over the Internet.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
38 words
44 . The method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising: defining said pre-defined process as a series of steps to accomplish an objective; and storing process data representing said series of steps in said process database.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
44 words
45 . The method as recited in claim 44 , wherein said defining comprises indicating one or more standard screens to be used for each of said series of steps, wherein said standard screens are selected from a limited number of said standard screens.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
26 words
46 . The method as recited in claim 45 , wherein said defining further comprises specifying a purpose for each of said one or more screens.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
39 words
47 . The method as recited in claim 45 , wherein said defining further comprises specifying a business object for each of said one or more screens, wherein said business object specifies data to be displayed by the screen.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
22 words
48 . The method as recited in claim 47 , wherein said business object provides an interface to a remote data store.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
18 words
49 . The method as recited in claim 44 , wherein said pre-defined process is defined in metadata.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
21 words
50 . The method as recited in claim 49 , wherein said metadata is formatted in an extensible markup language (XML).
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
43 words
51 . The method as recited in claim 49 , wherein said storing process data representing said series of steps in said process database comprises transmitting said metadata to said server computer and said server computer inserting said metadata in said process database.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
39 words
52 . The method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising downloading a client application to said client computer from said server computer, wherein said request for a step and said rendering are performed by said client application.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
35 words
53 . The method as recited in claim 52 , wherein said client application comprises platform independent code, wherein said method further comprises running said client application on a virtual machine on said client computer.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
24 words
54 . The method as recited in claim 53 , wherein said virtual machine is part of a web browser on said client computer.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
124 words
55 . A computer system, comprising: at least one central processing unit (CPU); a storage medium accessible by said at least one CPU, wherein said storage medium comprises program instructions operable to implement a client interface configured to: receive process data indicating a first screen to be used for accomplishing a first step of a pre-defined process; render said first screen within a navigational framework on a user display; following user input to said navigational framework, receive process data indicating a next screen to be used for accomplishing another step of said pre-defined process; render said next screen within said navigational framework on said user display; and continue to receive process data and render screens indicated by said process to complete said pre-defined process.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
124 words
55 . A computer system, comprising: at least one central processing unit (CPU); a storage medium accessible by said at least one CPU, wherein said storage medium comprises program instructions operable to implement a client interface configured to: receive process data indicating a first screen to be used for accomplishing a first step of a pre-defined process; render said first screen within a navigational framework on a user display; following user input to said navigational framework, receive process data indicating a next screen to be used for accomplishing another step of said pre-defined process; render said next screen within said navigational framework on said user display; and continue to receive process data and render screens indicated by said process to complete said pre-defined process.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
40 words
56 . The computer system as recited in claim 55 , further comprising a communication link coupled to said CPU, wherein said client interface is further configured to receive said process data from a process server across said communication link.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
36 words
57 . The computer system as recited in claim 55 , wherein said screens rendered by said client interface and the functionality of said screens are determined by said process data received by said client interface.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
33 words
58 . The computer system as recited in claim 57 , wherein said process data is stored in a process database remote from the computer system on which the client interface is implemented.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
31 words
59 . The computer system as recited in claim 55 , wherein said program instructions operable to implement the client interface are downloaded to said storage medium from said process server.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
43 words
60 . The computer system as recited in claim 55 , wherein said screens rendered by said client interface to accomplish the steps of said pre-defined process are selected from a limited number of standard screens that are specified by the process data.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
33 words
61 . The computer system as recited in claim 60 , wherein the definition of said pre-defined process comprises a series of said screens indicated to said client interface by said process data.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
27 words
62 . The computer system as recited in claim 60 , wherein said limited number of standard screens includes a target screen for interfacing to a database.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
51 words
63 . The computer system as recited in claim 62 , wherein a target screen rendered by the client interface allows the user to perform at least one function on data in a database, wherein said at least one function is selected from the group comprising view, create, update, or delete.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
22 words
64 . The computer system as recited in claim 62 , wherein said database is remote from the client interface computer system.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
30 words
65 . The computer system as recited in claim 60 , wherein said limited number of standard screens includes a list screen for presenting rows of data to the user.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
54 words
66 . The computer system as recited in claim 65 , wherein a list screen rendered by the client interface allows the user to perform at least one function on data in a data store, wherein said at least one function is selected from the group comprising view, maintenance, create, update, delete, or select.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
23 words
67 . The computer system as recited in claim 66 , wherein said data store is remote from the client interface computer system.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
30 words
68 . The computer system as recited in claim 60 , wherein said limited number of standard screens includes a tree screen for presenting hierarchically arranged data to the user.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
48 words
69 . The computer system as recited in claim 65 , wherein a tree screen rendered by the client interface allows the user to perform at least one function on hierarchically arranged data, wherein said at least one function is selected from the group comprising view and select.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
46 words
70 . The computer system as recited in claim 69 , wherein said client interface is further configured to render a launch pad screen which presents processes for a user to initiate or continue, wherein said tree screen is used to render said launch pad screen.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
31 words
71 . The computer system as recited in claim 60 , wherein said limited number of standard screens includes a spreadsheet screen for viewing or maintaining data in a spreadsheet format.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
25 words
72 . The computer system as recited in claim 71 , wherein said spreadsheet screen interfaces to a spreadsheet application separate from said client interface.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
28 words
73 . The computer system as recited in claim 60 , wherein said limited number of standard screens includes a document screen for viewing or maintaining formatted documents.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
25 words
74 . The computer system as recited in claim 73 , wherein said document screen interfaces to a document application separate from said client interface.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
29 words
75 . The computer system as recited in claim 60 , wherein said limited number of standard screens includes a browser screen for viewing and navigating among information resources.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
28 words
76 . The computer system as recited in claim 60 , wherein said limited number of standard screens includes a report screen for viewing a single information resource.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
32 words
77 . The computer system as recited in claim 60 , wherein said limited number of standard screens includes a calendar screen for presenting data in a calendar format to the user.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
54 words
78 . The computer system as recited in claim 77 , wherein a calendar screen rendered by the client interface allows the user to perform at least one function on data in a data store, wherein said at least one function is selected from the group comprising view, maintenance, create, update, delete, or select.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
23 words
79 . The computer system as recited in claim 78 , wherein said data store is remote from the client interface computer system.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
33 words
80 . The computer system as recited in claim 60 , wherein said limited number of standard screens includes a launch pad screen which presents processes for a user to initiate or continue.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
25 words
81 . The computer system as recited in claim 80 , wherein said launch pad screen is specific to each user of said client interface.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
31 words
82 . The computer system as recited in claim 55 , wherein each screen rendered by said client interface as part of said pre-defined process is rendered within said navigational framework.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
32 words
83 . The computer system as recited in claim 81 , wherein said navigational framework comprises one or more graphical controls for a user to control the flow of said pre-defined process.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
32 words
84 . The computer system as recited in claim 83 , wherein said one or more graphical controls include a next control to advance to a next step of said pre-defined process.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
32 words
85 . The computer system as recited in claim 83 , wherein said one or more graphical controls include a previous control to return to a previous step of said pre-defined process.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
34 words
86 . The computer system as recited in claim 83 , wherein said one or more graphical controls include an assign control to assign said pre-defined process at its current stage to another user.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
34 words
87 . The computer system as recited in claim 83 , wherein said one or more graphical controls include a pause control to stop said pre-defined process and save it at its current step.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
34 words
88 . The computer system as recited in claim 83 , wherein said one or more graphical controls include a cancel control to stop said pre-defined process without saving it at its current step.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
31 words
89 . The computer system as recited in claim 82 , wherein said navigational framework comprises an instruction component for displaying instructions on completing the current step of said pre-defined process.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
53 words
90 . The computer system as recited in claim 55 , wherein said client interface is further configured to send results of a completed step to a process server across a communication link and receive process data from said process server indicating the next screen for the next step of said pre-defined process.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
31 words
91 . The computer system as recited in claim 55 , wherein said client interface is configured to communicate with said process server using a protocol comprising hypertext transport protocol (HTTP).
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
21 words
92 . The computer system as recited in claim 55 , wherein said client interface is launched within a web browser.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
28 words
93 . The computer system as recited in claim 92 , wherein said client interface is launched within the web browser as an application downloaded from a server.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
23 words
94 . The computer system as recited in claim 93 , wherein said program instructions to implement a client interface comprise Java instructions.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
29 words
95 . The computer system as recited in claim 55 , wherein said program instructions to implement a client interface comprise platform-independent instructions that execute in a virtual machine.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
23 words
96 . The computer system as recited in claim 55 , wherein said process data is formatted in an extensible markup language (XML).
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