Workflow auto generation from user constraints and hierarchical dependence graphs for workflows

Abstract

A system and method of modeling and evaluating workflows that provides workflow auto generation and Hierarchical Dependence Graphs for workflows. Modeling and evaluation of workflows is accomplished by accessing a knowledge database 2 containing service descriptions, generating valid workflows models 4 , simulating workflow 6 and obtaining customer requirements through a Graphical User Interface 8 . This system and method generate and display workflows that satisfy a users requirements. In addition, Hierarchical Dependence Graphs provide abstract views that provide additional analysis and control of workflow.

1 . A workflow auto generation system comprising: 
 a knowledge database  2  containing service descriptions;    a workflow modeling inference engine  4  that generates valid workflow models by matching connectivity between various services in the knowledge base;    a simulator  6  performing a simulation of each workflow; and    a Graphical User Interface  8  to obtain customer requirements and display views of the workflows.    
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the simulator  6  is a Petri Net simulator, and the Petri Net simulator performs a simulation of each workflow by mapping it to a Petri Net.  
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the Graphical User Interface  8  obtains customer requirements through a series of questions to a User, and the series of questions narrows down the workflow options meeting the customer requirements.  
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the Graphical User Interface  8  displays a service view of workflow, a product view of the workflow, and a Petri Net view of the workflow.  
     
     
         5 . A workflow analysis and control system, comprising: 
 a workflow client service  120 , providing a description of various print jobs to be executed;    a workflow analysis service  122 , performing a Hierarchical Dependence Graph representation and analysis of a workflow, including process and resource dependences; and    a workflow orchestrator  124 , controlling the execution of said print jobs;    wherein the workflow client service provides input to the workflow analysis service and the workflow analysis service provides input to the workflow orchestrator, and the workflow client service provides a description of various print jobs in JDF.    
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 5 , the workflow analysis  122  further comprising: 
 a J-HDG, Definition 2, representation of the workflow client service input; and    a Connectivity Matrix of J-HDG; wherein the Connectivity Matrix transforms the J-HDG, Definition 2, representation to a J-HDG, Definition 6, representation.    
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 5 , the workflow analysis  122  further comprising: 
 a R-HDG, Definition 3, representation of the workflow client service input; and    a Connectivity Matrix of R-HDG; wherein the Connectivity Matrix transforms the R-HDG, Definition 2, representation to a R-HDG, Definition 6, representation.    
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 5 , the workflow analysis  122  further comprising: a J-HDG, Definition 2, representation of the workflow client service input; 
 a Connectivity Matrix of J-HDG;    a R-HDG, Definition 3, representation of the workflow client service input; and    a Connectivity Matrix of R-HDG;    wherein the Connectivity Matrix transforms the J-HDG, Definition 2, representation to a J-HDG, Definition 6, representation; and the Connectivity Matrix transforms the R-HDG, Definition 2, representation to a R-HDG, Definition 6, representation.