Patent Publication Number: US-2003225783-A1

Title: Task object correlation method

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0002] The present invention relates to a task object correlation method, and particularly to a method that builds correlation between task objects automatically and tracks task objects according to the correlation.  
       [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art  
       [0004] In recent workflow systems, work lists show the work items for which users are responsible. Users can handle only one work item at a time when a user logs into the work interface of the workflow system. That is there are no correlation between work items in current systems.  
       [0005] However, a task is always composed of several work items, and each employs different applications. In current practice, users have to choose the appropriate application for each work item. After all of the work items are carried out, the results are compiled to finish the task.  
       [0006] In enterprise, a general user cannot normally access an overall view of tasks and workflow since the processes of work allotment, execution and inquiry cannot be recorded within the authority of the user. Further, the results are scattered due to the lack of efficient integration and management mechanism.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method that builds correlation between task objects automatically and tracks task objects according thereto. In the present invention, task objects maybe the work item, responsible party, time and/or location and related applications. That is, personnel, tasks, times, and locations can be regarded as task objects, and correlation is developed between them.  
       [0008] To achieve the above object, a task object correlation method according to the embodiment of the present invention is provided. First, at least one sub-task object corresponding to a task object is built. The sub-task object has an attribute. At the same time, a correlation between the task object and the sub-task object is built, and the task object and the sub-task object are stored into an object correlation database.  
       [0009] Then, a task object is selected and a classification corresponding to the attribute of a sub-task object is designated. Thereafter, at least one sub-task object whose attribute conforms to the designated classification is retrieved from the object correlation database according to the task object and the designated classification. The sub-task object is displayed.  
       [0010] According to the embodiment of the present invention, at least one detailed catalogue object corresponding to the sub-task object is further built. The detailed catalogue object has an attribute. At the same time, a correlation between the sub-task object and the detailed catalogue object is built, and the sub-task object and the detailed catalogue object are stored into the object correlation database.  
       [0011] Then, a sub-task object is selected and a classification corresponding to the attribute of a detailed catalogue object is designated. Thereafter, at least one detailed catalogue object whose attribute conforms to the designated classification is retrieved from the object correlation database according to the sub-task object and the designated classification.  
       [0012] According to the embodiment of the present invention, a display interface is provided to display the task object. Further, the sub-task object is displayed when the sub-task object is retrieved from the object correlation database according to the task object and the designated classification. Furthermore, the detailed catalogue object is displayed when the detailed catalogue object is retrieved from the object correlation database according to the sub-task object and the designated classification. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0013] The aforementioned objects, features, and advantages of this invention will become apparent by referring to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
     [0014]FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the task object correlation method according to the embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0015]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the full view of a task;  
     [0016]FIG. 3 shows the working model of the example in FIG. 2; and  
     [0017]FIGS. 4 a  to  4   c  shows partial views of the task in FIG. 2 belonging to different users.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     [0018]FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the task object correlation method according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the present invention, task objects may be the work item, responsible party, time and/or location and related applications. That is, personnel, tasks, times, and locations can be regarded as task objects.  
     [0019] First, in step S 10 , at least one sub-task object corresponding to a task object is built. The sub-task object has an attribute. If a plurality of sub-task objects is built, each of the sub-task objects may have its own attribute. At the same time, in step S 11 , a correlation between the task object and the sub-task object is built automatically, and in step S 12 , the task object and the sub-task object are stored into an object correlation database.  
     [0020] For example, a main task and a work item corresponding to the main task and the agent of the work item are entered into the workflow system by a user. The main task, work item, and agent are regarded as task objects and stored into the object correlation database. At the same time, a correlation between the main task, the work item, and the agent is built.  
     [0021] When users need to track sub-task objects, in step S 13 , a task object is selected and a classification corresponding to the attribute of a sub-task object is designated. Thereafter, in step S 14 , at least one sub-task object whose attribute conforms to the designated classification is retrieved from the object correlation database according to the task object and the designated classification. Finally, in step S 15 , the sub-task object retrieved from the object correlation database is displayed.  
     [0022] Note that a display interface is provided to display the task object and the sub-task object when the sub-task object is retrieved from the object correlation database in step S 15 .  
     [0023] It should be noted that the task objects might be the work item, responsible party, time and/or location and related applications. That is, personnel, tasks, times, and locations can be regarded as task objects, and correlation is developed between them.  
     [0024] Further, at least one detailed catalogue object corresponding to the sub-task object may be built. The detailed catalogue object has an attribute. At the same time, a correlation between the sub-task object and the detailed catalogue object is built, and the sub-task object and the detailed catalogue object are stored into the object correlation database.  
     [0025] Similarly, when users need to track detailed catalogue objects, a sub-task object is selected and a classification corresponding to the attribute of a detailed catalogue object is designated. Thereafter, at least one detailed catalogue object whose attribute conforms to the designated classification is retrieved from the object correlation database according to the sub-task object and the designated classification, and the retrieved detailed catalogue object can be displayed in the display interface. Note that detailed objects can be built for the detailed catalogue object in the same manner.  
     [0026]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the full view of a task. In this example, A is the administrator of the main task (task object) “Generate department budget plan”  200 , and a department budget plan is requested. Since A is the director of the department, A builds a work item (sub-task object) “Investigate team budget requirement”  210 , and assigns to team leader B. In this work item, a team budget requirement is requested.  
     [0027] Since B manages two sub-teams, B builds a work message (detailed catalogue object) “Generate sub-team budget requirement”  220 , and assigns it to sub-team leaders C and D. In this work message, two sub-team budget requirements (C and D) are requested to provide. Note that the connections between the blocks in FIG. 2 represent the correlation between the task objects.  
     [0028]FIG. 3 shows the working model of the example in FIG. 2. For A and B, A is the administrator  311  and B is the agent  312 ; for person B, C and D, B is the administrator  311  and C and D is the agent  312 . The result  314  provided by the agent  312  belongs to the work or work item  313  allotted by the administrator  311 . In this case, all personnel, tasks, times, and locations can be regarded as task objects, and they can interact according to correlation through message (message system)  315  and electronic operating system  316 .  
     [0029] Since each user has different authority, the views of the whole task may be different when integrated with authorization management. FIGS. 4 a  to  4   c  shows partial views of the tasks in FIG. 2 belonging to person A, B and C.  
     [0030] As shown in FIG. 4 a,  since A is the administrator of the task, the full view of the task can be seen when A logs into the workflow system. When B logs into the workflow system, all details of the work item  210  built by B and the work  200  and administrator of the work (person A) can be seen, as shown in FIG. 4 b.  When C logs into the workflow system, details of the work  220  allotted by person B, the work  200  and administrator of the work (person A) and the work item  210  and administrator of the work item (person B) can be seen, as shown in FIG. 4 c . D is similar to C except its own result.  
     [0031] In addition, workflow systems always operate within allotted time controls. Each task object may be assigned a date tag to remind the agent to finish his allotted job within the date.  
     [0032] As a result, the task object correlation method according to the present invention can build correlation between task objects automatically and track task objects according to the correlation.  
     [0033] Although the present invention has been described in its preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the invention to the precise embodiment disclosed herein. Those who are skilled in this technology can still make various alterations and modifications without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention shall be defined and protected by the following claims and their equivalents.