Abstract:
The present disclosure provides methods and apparatuses for providing context search results in process design. Using the methods and apparatus herein, users can use a list of dynamic content from a variety of sources, determined at runtime and based on criteria that can change dynamically at runtime, in their process design. With the content, the users can create process steps that act on the dynamically chosen content as a single entity

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claim benefit to U.S. Patent Application No. 60/915,832, METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR INCLUDING SEARCH RESULTS IN A WORKFLOW PROCESS, filed May 3, 2007; and U.S. Patent Application No. 60/939,267, METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING CONTENT SEARCH RESULTS IN PROCESS DESIGN, filed on May 21, 2007, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    A business process is a combination of operational steps or activities that a business undertakes. A business may conduct a high number of business processes throughout the course of a day or year, in order to accomplish the business&#39;s goals. An operational step or activity may be any action from the mundane to the complex. 
         [0003]    Through the use of technology, businesses can now model their business processes in a graphical nature. What used to be a loosely defined set of procedures can now be formalized into complex business process workflows. The formalized business processes allow managers to understand the bottlenecks of a process, and to redesign the business processes for efficiency. 
         [0004]    Business can now also incorporate business process design into their existing technology systems. Instead of providing a simple map of a business process, integration with computer systems allows business process designers to design interactive business processes that drive business workflow. Business process designers can receive data from various sources, perform a wide range of actions on the data directly, and create business processes in an easy to understand visual manner. 
         [0005]    Businesses create workflows as a part of business process design to assist in managing their internal operations. Business processes allow users to represent the current state of their business operations in a graphical manner. Users can also simulate new business operations through the use of business processes. 
         [0006]    Businesses often need to perform a set of actions on content, such as documents or list items. Most of the content involved in these processes is typically identified on a one-to-one basis, for example performing an approval process when a document is added to a storage location. However, business process designers would often rather build a process with a list of dynamic content that results from searching across stored documents. For example, performing authorization on documents that have been edited in the last twenty four hours. Currently, there is no convenient way to perform a process in business process workflow on a group of dynamically chosen documents or items as a single entity. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    The present disclosure provides methods and apparatuses for providing context search results in process design. Using the methods and apparatus herein, users can use a list of dynamic content from a variety of sources, determined at runtime and based on criteria that can change dynamically at runtime, in their process design. With the content, the users can create process steps that act on the dynamically chosen content as a single entity 
         [0008]    Additional features and advantages are described herein, and will be apparent from, the following Detailed Description and the figures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a high level block diagram of an example business process design system. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a more detailed block diagram showing one example of a client device. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a more detailed block diagram showing one example of a server. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a screenshot of an example process. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a screenshot of an example action selection page. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a screenshot of a example source page. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a screenshot of an example query page. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a screenshot of an example search parameter page. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a screenshot of an example search results page. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    The present system is most readily realized in a network communications system. A high level block diagram of an business process design system  100  is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The illustrated system  100  includes one or more business process designer terminals  102 , one or more business process servers  104 , and one or more business process databases  106 . Each of these devices may communicate with each other via a connection to one or more communications channels  108  such as the Internet or some other data network, including, but not limited to, any suitable wide area network or local area network. It will be appreciated that any of the devices described herein may be directly connected to each other instead of over a network. 
         [0019]    The business process server  104  stores a plurality of files, programs, and/or web pages in one or more business process databases  106  for use by the business process designer terminals  102 . The business process database  106  may be connected directly to the business process server  104  or via one or more network connections. The business process database  106  preferably stores business process data. 
         [0020]    One business process server  104  may interact with a large number of business process designer terminals  102 . Accordingly, each business process server  104  is typically a high end computer with a large storage capacity, one or more fast microprocessors, and one or more high speed network connections. Conversely, relative to a typical business process server  104 , each business process designer terminal  102  typically includes less storage capacity, a single microprocessor, and a single network connection. 
         [0021]    A more detailed block diagram of a business process designer terminal  102  is illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The business process designer terminal  102  may include a personal computer (PC), a personal digital assistant (PDA), an Internet appliance, a cellular telephone, or any other suitable communication device. The business process designer terminal  102  preferably includes a main unit  202  which preferably includes one or more processors  204  electrically coupled by an address/data bus  206  to one or more memory devices  208 , other computer circuitry  210 , and one or more interface circuits  212 . The processor  204  may be any suitable processor, such as a microprocessor from the INTEL PENTIUM® family of microprocessors. The memory  208  preferably includes volatile memory and non-volatile memory. Preferably, the memory  208  stores a software program that interacts with one or more of the other devices in the system  100  as described below. This program may be executed by the processor  204  in any suitable manner. The memory  208  may also store digital data indicative of documents, files, programs, web pages, etc. retrieved from one or more of the other devices in the system  100  and/or loaded via an input device  214 . 
         [0022]    The interface circuit  212  may be implemented using any suitable interface standard, such as an Ethernet interface and/or a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface. One or more input devices  214  may be connected to the interface circuit  212  for entering data and commands into the main unit  202 . For example, the input device  214  may be a keyboard, mouse, touch screen, track pad, track ball, isopoint, and/or a voice recognition system. 
         [0023]    One or more displays, printers, speakers, and/or other output devices  216  may also be connected to the main unit  202  via the interface circuit  212 . The display  216  may be a cathode ray tube (CRTs), liquid crystal displays (LCDs), or any other type of display. The display  216  generates visual displays of data generated during operation of the business process designer terminal  102 . For example, the display  216  may be used to display web pages received from the business process server  104 . The visual displays may include prompts for human input, run time statistics, calculated values, data, etc. 
         [0024]    One or more storage devices  218  may also be connected to the main unit  202  via the interface circuit  212 . For example, a hard drive, CD drive, DVD drive, and/or other storage devices may be connected to the main unit  202 . The storage devices  218  may store any type of data used by the business process designer terminal  102 . 
         [0025]    The business process designer terminal  102  may also exchange data with other network devices  220  via a connection to the network  112 . The network connection may be any type of network connection, such as an Ethernet connection, digital subscriber line (DSL), telephone line, coaxial cable, etc. Users of a business process designer terminal  102  may be required to register with the business process server  104 . In such an instance, each user of a business process designer terminal  102 , may choose a user identifier (e.g., e-mail address) and a password which may be required for the activation of services. The user identifier and password may be passed across the network  108  using encryption built into the business process designer terminal  102  browser. Alternatively, the user identifier and/or password may be assigned by the business process server  104 . 
         [0026]    A more detailed block diagram of a business process server  104  is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Like the business process designer terminal  102 , the main unit  302  in the business process server  104  preferably includes one or more processors  304  electrically coupled by an address/data bus  306  to a memory device  308  and a network interface circuit  310 . The network interface circuit  310  may be implemented using any suitable data transceiver, such as an Ethernet transceiver. The processor  304  may be any type of suitable processor, and the memory device  308  preferably includes volatile memory and non-volatile memory. Preferably, the memory device  308  stores a software program that implements all or part of the method described below. 
         [0027]    In particular, the memory  308  preferably stores a content search results module  312 . The content search results module  312  may store the criteria for a document or list search. For example, a business process designer may wish to create a process that uses all documents that were modified longer than one year earlier from the time the process is run and that have a “Final” status. The content search results module  312  may communicate with the business process database  106  to store the search criteria. 
         [0028]    The content search results module  312  performs the search during the process execution. For example, when the process is run, the content search results module  312  may communicate with the business process database  106  to retrieve the appropriate documents. In another example, the content search results module  312  communicates with other data sources, such as other servers, other databases, etc., in order to retrieve documents that correspond to the search criteria. The search criteria may by representative of the search object. For example, the search criteria may include searching on strings, numbers, logical objects, etc. The search results are provided at runtime and therefore are a dynamic listing of documents, not a hard-coded listing of existing documents or a pre-set folder of documents. Additionally, the search criteria may be modified at runtime, allowing for changes without the need to stop and restart the process. 
         [0029]    The content search results module  312  may also assist a business process designer in creating a content search through the use of a wizard. For example, the content search results module  312  may transmit wizard data to the business process designer terminal  102  that provides an easy interface for creating a content search at an appropriate point of the business process. The content search results module  312  may interrogate a repository, for example a server, and present the business process designer with options that define the source and the scope of the search. For example, the business process designer may decide that the source of the search will be a remote database and that the scope will be all of the records. The business process designer may have access to related business entities and business policies so that the correct field names and values are available for creating the criteria. For example, the business process designer may wish to retrieve all of the documents sent by a client. In this example, the business process designer will have access to the “Client Name” field of the “Client” business entity and the business process designer will be able to use the field in constructing a content search. The content search results module  312  may store the results in the business process database  106 , or another storage medium, as process data fields or business entities. 
         [0030]    At runtime, the content search results module  312  may create a pointer to documents and list items matching the search criteria either at the beginning of the process or the business process step where the document or list items are called. The pointer may then be passed to the process for use in the business process step that requires the documents or list items. This allows for a dynamic process design that can work with sets of documents and list items that are changing based on the process data at any point in time. 
         [0031]    The content search results module  312  also allows for business entity values to be mapped onto search fields, and at runtime evaluate the business entities to determine what values should be used. For example, the business process designer can map the “CLIENT NAME” field from the “CLIENT” business entity to the “NAME SEARCH” field for the search criteria. During run time the “CLIENT” business entity will be selected and the “CLIENT NAME” will be determined and used for the search. 
         [0032]    The results may be converted into a data structure, such as XML, etc. The converted data structure may then be stored for use in other places in the overall process design. For example, the task “Copy Documents Matching Search Results to This Location,” may require the converted data structure. The data structure will contain pointers to the content. In some instances, it may be required to store the content for auditing purposes and that can be done. 
         [0033]    A screenshot of an example process  400  is presented in  FIG. 4 . Although the example process  400  is described in reference  FIG. 4 , it will be appreciated that many other configurations are possible. For example, elements could be in different locations, elements could have different names, and/or elements could have different graphical representations. 
         [0034]    The example process  400  has a process holds activity  402 . The process holds activity  402  is a process to handle “holds” that have been ordered from a previous business process activity. The “holds” may require certain content such as order numbers. The content may be provided by a content search results event  404 . The business process designer may select to define the content search results event  404  and wizard data may be transmitted by the content search results module  312  to the business process designer terminal  102 . The wizard is explained in further detail in relation to  FIGS. 5-9 . 
         [0035]    A screenshot of an example action selection page  500  is presented in  FIG. 5 . Although the example action selection page  500  is described in reference  FIG. 5 , it will be appreciated that many other configurations are possible. For example, elements could be in different locations, elements could have different names, and elements could have different graphical representations. 
         [0036]    A process designer may configure the content search through a series of wizard-driven questions. The wizard may interrogate the business process server  104 , the business process database  106 , and/or another repository of the business process system. The action selection page  500  may allow the business process designer to determine the type of the search. For example, the business process designer may be presented with a list  502  to determine the type of the search based on the document, content list type or the location of the item. 
         [0037]    A screenshot of an example source page  600  is presented in  FIG. 6 . Although the example action source page  600  is described in reference  FIG. 6 , it will be appreciated that many other configurations are possible. For example, elements could be in different locations, elements could have different names, and elements could have different graphical representations. 
         [0038]    The source page  600  may allow the business process designer to select the scope of the search, such as a repository, depth of search, list type, list template, etc. For example, see  FIG. 6 , showing options for repository  602 , depth of search  604 , list type  606 , and list template  608 . The repository  602  may specific the location where the search will take place. For example, the business process designer may enter a url designating a server location in the repository  602  field. The depth of search  604  may provide options to the business process designer for the scope of the search. For example, the business process designer may be able to select “Entire Site” as the scope of the search. In another example, the business process server  104  may retrieve information regarding the repository  602  and provide specific servers, databases, tables, etc. for the user to choose. The list type  606  may provide options for the types of libraries to be searched. For example, list type  606  may include document libraries, picture libraries, lists, discussion boards, surveys, sites and workplaces, etc. The list template  608  may be options related to the list type  606  and provide options for how the content search results should be provided. For example, if the list type  606  is “document libraries,” the list template  608  may be “document library,” “form library,” etc. 
         [0039]    A screenshot of an example query page  700  is presented in  FIG. 7 . Although the example action query page  700  is described in reference  FIG. 7 , it will be appreciated that many other configurations are possible. For example, elements could be in different locations, elements could have different names, and elements could have different graphical representations. 
         [0040]    The business process designer may be presented a query page  700  based on data associated with the selected documents or lists. After selecting the data source and search criteria on the search page  600 , the business process designer may be presented with a query page  700  where the options for the query are restricted to fields, values, operations, etc. based on data associated with the documents or lists. The business process designer may select to search for a document based on a “modified date” field, related to the documents available from the search. The content search results module  312  may display only the criteria that would be available based on the search. For example, an “image size” criteria may only be available if the search results included pictures. 
         [0041]    The query page  700  may contain an interface for easy creation of multiple criteria. The query page  700  may contain a section to create individual search criteria  702 . The query page  700  may also contain a section to allow for Boolean operations to be performed on multiple criteria  704 . The query page  700  may contain graphics to aid in the creation of the criteria, where the graphics correspond to common logic elements. 
         [0042]    A screenshot of an example search parameter page  800  is presented in  FIG. 8 . Although the example action search parameter page  800  is described in reference  FIG. 8 , it will be appreciated that many other configurations are possible. For example, elements could be in different locations, elements could have different names, and elements could have different graphical representations. 
         [0043]    Additionally, information from the overall process may be provided as input values to the query. For example, a “Status =[ProcessStatusValue]” query  802  could be a valid criteria. “ProcessStatusValue” would be determined at runtime and would be related to the status of the overall business process when the search is made. 
         [0044]    A screenshot of an example search results page  900  is presented in  FIG. 9 . Although the example action search results page  900  is described in reference  FIG. 9 , it will be appreciated that many other configurations are possible. For example, elements could be in different locations, elements could have different names, and elements could have different graphical representations. 
         [0045]    A search results page  900  may be displayed to the business process designer. The search results page may allow the business process designer to designate a field to store the results of the content search so that they may be accessed later in the process. For example, the user may be presented with a data field input  902  to enter a name for the content search results. 
         [0046]    It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present subject matter and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.