Patent ID: 9734465
Date: 2017-08-15
CPC Classifications: G06Q

Claim:
1. A system for performing workflow services, the system comprising: a first workflow-enabled client for allowing a user to specify a workflow service to be performed by a workflow-enabled provider and to specify parameters for performing the workflow service, the first workflow-enabled client comprising a first communication manager adapted for communication and data exchange with the workflow-enabled provider, the first communication manager configured to translate a first message into commands and data for performing the workflow service that are recognizable by the workflow-enabled provider; and an office device comprising the workflow-enabled provider for performing the workflow service, the workflow-enabled provider configured to receive broadcasts from a group of workflow-enabled clients including the first workflow-enabled client responsive to registration of the group of workflow-enabled clients, the registration including assigning a workflow-enabled client in the group an internal identifier and an external identifier, the internal identifier identifying the workflow-enabled client for communication with a workflow manager, the external identifier identifying the workflow-enabled client for communication with the workflow-enabled provider, wherein the broadcasts include the external identifier of the workflow-enabled client, indicate that a corresponding workflow-enabled client is available, and include a request for the workflow services to be performed for the corresponding workflow-enabled client; discover the first workflow-enabled client from the group of workflow-enabled clients based on determining that the workflow service specified by the first workflow-enabled client can be performed by the workflow-enabled provider; activate the first workflow-enabled client using the external identifier associated with the first workflow-enabled client; dynamically create a user interface to include information about the first workflow-enabled client; and notify the first workflow-enabled client to retrieve a result using the internal identifier associated with the first workflow-enabled client, the workflow-enabled provider adapted for communication with the first workflow-enabled client.