Patent ID: 7096230
Filing Date: 2006-08-22
Classification: G06Q,H04L,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A computer-implemented method to support in developing a process specification for a collaborative process involving distributed computer-based participant systems exchanging messages through an asynchronous messaging network, the method embodied by a computer program product executable by a computer system and causing, when executed, said computer system to carry out the steps of: retrieving from a first storage location, sub-system state information on sub-system states and sub-system state transitions in relation to a plurality of software sub-systems of each participant system, said sub-system state information specifying in relation to each sub-system state transition, starting and target sub-system states of the corresponding software sub-system and events triggering, and resulting from, the respective sub-system state transition; processing said retrieved sub-system state information to generate, and store in a second storage location, collaboration state information on collaboration states and collaboration state transitions of said process, said collaboration states being defined by a sub-system state for each software sub-system of each participant system and a communication status of each message exchangeable between said participant systems, said collaboration state transitions being determined based on said sub-system state transitions; upon generation and storage of said collaboration state information, retrieving said collaboration state information from said second storage location; processing said retrieved collaboration state information to generate information on incompletely specified terminal collaboration states among said collaboration states, an incompletely specified terminal collaboration state being a terminal collaboration state in which at least one message is underway between said participant systems; and generating a result data object containing information on every incompletely specified terminal collaboration state found.