Patent ID: 8302071

Claim:
A method of automatic pattern based editing of business process models on a canvas of business model editing application having an X-axis and a Y-axis, comprising: receiving a request to automatically edit a business process model; constructing an initial current set C of elements from the business model, wherein, the initial current set C contains all elements that are positioned left-most on the canvas and that are about on the same X-axis position, wherein the same X-axis position allows for an X-axis predetermined margin of error based on a deviation of a width of an element; constructing an initial next set N of elements from the business model, wherein, the initial next set N contains the left-most element that is not contained in the initial current set C and all the elements that are about on the same X-axis or on an orientation that is mapped onto the X-axis, the orientation including a top-down orientation and a right-left orientation; connecting elements between the initial current set C and the initial next set N until all elements that could be connected in the initial current set C and the initial next set N have been connected, wherein, connecting is based on at least, connecting elements sequentially if the elements exist from left to right on the canvas, wherein elements are considered sequential if positioned on about the same Y-axis position, the Y-axis including a Y-axis predetermined margin of error based on the deviation of a height of the element, wherein the X-axis predetermined margin of error is greater than the Y-axis predetermined margin of error, connecting elements in parallel or using a decision and merge combination if the elements exist from top to bottom on the canvas, constructing a new current set from the elements that have not been connected and the elements in the next set, and constructing a new next set; and iterating the connecting and constructing until no more elements can be connected.