JP2001125960A - Workflow system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a workflow system in which a client computer can efficiently execute time collaboration operation in order to execute a process allocated by workflow operation. SOLUTION: In the workflow system having a server for allocating each process of processing work consisting of a plurality of process to any one of client computes and allowing the process-allocated client computer to execute the allocated process and inform the server of the execution result, the process- allocated client computer inquires the server of the information of another client computer to which a process other than the process allocated to the client computer concerned is allocated in accordance with an operation, the server informs the client computer concerned of the information of the other process-allocated client computer and the client computer concerned executes collaboration operation by communicating with the other client computer informed of the from the server.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a workflow system in which each step of a processing operation including a plurality of steps is assigned to a plurality of client computers, and each client computer executes the assigned steps.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A workflow system is a system for allocating jobs in a predetermined order using a computer. The workflow system includes a plurality of client computers 1A to 1D and a workflow server 2, as shown in FIG. Each of the plurality of client computers 1A to 1D is assigned to an individual worker in advance. Multiple client computers 1
Each of A to 1D and the workflow server 2 are connected by a LAN transmission line 3. Note that this connection is the same LA
Although a single network is used for the N transmission lines 3, client computers in other different networks may be connectable to the workflow server 2 via the transmission lines. The workflow server 2 uses an internal disk (not shown) as an instruction sheet to execute a predetermined business process by causing any of the client computers 1A to 1D to perform which process in the predetermined business process. Is stored in advance. Therefore, the workflow server 2 sequentially instructs the determined steps to the plurality of client computers 1A to 1D in accordance with the procedure of the instruction sheet. Each of the client computers 1A to 1D executes a process instructed by the workflow server.

[0003] As shown in FIG. 2, the workflow server 2 reads out an instruction sheet stored in a disk onto a memory (step S1). The next process of the instruction sheet is searched (step S
2) It is determined whether or not there is a next step (step S)
3). If there is no next step, the workflow server 2 ends the workflow operation. If there is a next step, the contents of the next step in the instruction sheet are requested to the client computer designated in advance for the step (step S4). Then, workflow server 2
Waits for the notification of the end of the process execution from the client computer that has made the request (step S5). Upon completion of the process, the requested client computer transmits a message indicating the execution result to the workflow server 2. The workflow server 2 determines whether the client computer has normally completed the process according to the content of the message (step S6). If the process has been completed normally, the process returns to step S2 and proceeds to the next process. On the other hand, when the abnormal process is performed, the workflow server 2 ends the workflow operation.

[0004] There is a real-time collaboration as a system in which people working in places separated from each other work together in real time using a computer. With the real-time collaboration function,
For example, when two workers A and B working at places separated from each other are assumed to be workers A and B, the same screen can be viewed on the display of each computer.
The content of the correction made by the computer by the worker A is immediately transmitted to the computer of the worker B, and the correction can be displayed on the display screen of the worker B. This function is called screen sharing and is an example of a function that can be realized by real-time collaboration. By using this function to share a screen and have a conversation using a communication means such as a telephone, it is possible to realize a state almost equivalent to having a conversation while looking at the same material between neighbors.

[0005] Next, as shown in FIG.
The operation in the case where real-time collaboration is performed between the computers 6 and 7 arranged on the computer 6 will be described focusing on the operation on the computer 6 side. Note that the computer 6 is connected to the LAN transmission line 8 and the computer 7 is connected to the L
It is connected to the AN transmission line 9 and the IS between the LAN transmission lines 8 and 9
It is connected via a DN line 10.

When software having a screen sharing function (screen sharing software) is started in response to an operation as shown in FIG. 4, the computer 6 for real-time collaboration first specifies a computer name of a screen sharing destination. Is accepted (step S11). The worker A of the computer 6 shares the screen with the computer 7, and inputs the computer 7 as a screen sharing destination.

[0007] When the screen sharing destination computer 7 is designated by executing step S11, the computer 6 starts accessing the screen sharing destination computer 7 (step S12). Screen sharing destination computer 7
Then, it is determined whether a response has been received and a communication path has been established (step S13). When the connection between the networks of the computer 6 and the computer 7 cannot be established, or when the screen sharing destination computer 7 has not activated the screen sharing software, a communication path between the computer 6 and the computer 7 is not established. . When the communication path has not been established, the computer 6 ends the operation by the screen sharing software.

If the communication path has been established, it is determined whether the end button on the display screen of the computer 6 itself has been operated (step S14). The end button is a button formed on the screen by executing the screen sharing software. For example, the end button is operated by a mouse click operation when the mouse pointer is positioned on the end button. When the end button is operated, the computer 6 immediately disconnects from the screen sharing destination computer and ends the operation by the screen sharing software. If the end button has not been operated, it is determined whether or not there is a screen input (step S15). For example, when there is a screen input by a key operation or a mouse operation, the input content is transmitted to the screen sharing destination computer 7 via the above-described communication path (step S16). If there is no screen input, it is determined whether or not the screen input contents have been transmitted from the screen sharing destination computer 7 (step S17). This step S17 is also executed after the execution of step S16. If there is a screen input in the computer 7 to which the screen is shared, the contents of the screen input are transmitted to the computer 6, so that the contents of the screen input are reflected on the operation contents such as the display contents of the computer 6 (step S18). . Then, step S1
3 and the above operation is repeated. If there is no transmission of the screen input content from the computer 7 as the screen sharing destination, the process returns to step S13.

The computer 7 operates in the same manner as the computer 6.

[0010]

Conventionally, both real-time collaboration and workflow operations are operations in which a group supports collaborative work with a computer, but each is performed based on independent software.
Therefore, the user must transfer data between the workflow operation and the real-time collaboration operation by himself. For example, if you want to discuss the contents of the work while sharing the screen with the worker who worked on the computer using the previous process of the process assigned to the worker's own computer in the workflow operation, the worker in the previous process in the workflow operation Check the computer of the worker, start the screen sharing software, and specify the computer of the worker by the tool real-time collaboration operation to communicate.
Steps are required, and the transfer of data between steps needs to be operated and input by an operator. Therefore, the worker needs to know both the flow content of the workflow operation and the real-time collaboration operation,
There was a problem that it was very troublesome and troublesome.

An object of the present invention is to provide a workflow system in which a client computer can efficiently perform a real-time collaboration operation for executing a process assigned by the workflow operation.

[0012]

A workflow system according to the present invention has a server which assigns each step of a processing operation including a plurality of steps to any one of a plurality of client computers, and one client computer has A workflow system for executing an assigned process and notifying the server of the execution result, wherein one client computer inquires a server of information of the client computer to which a process other than the assigned process is assigned in accordance with an operation. The server responds to the inquiry by notifying the information of the client computer assigned to the one client computer, and the one client computer communicates with the client computer of the information notified from the server and performs a sharing operation (rear operation). It is characterized by performing a time collaboration operation). With this configuration, the client computer to which the execution of the process is assigned by the workflow operation can efficiently perform a real-time collaboration operation such as screen sharing with another client computer that has executed the previous process for the execution of the process.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 shows a system according to the invention. In this system, a workflow server 11 and a plurality of client computers 12A to 12A
12C is connected to the LAN transmission line 13 to form one LAN. Apart from this LAN, a client computer 14 exists on the LAN. The LAN transmission line 15 to which the client computer 14 is connected in the other LAN is connected via the ISDN line 16 to the LAN transmission line 13.
It is connected to the. Each LAN is provided with a dial-up router (not shown) for connection to the ISDN line 16.

Next, the real-time collaboration operation performed by the client computer 12A will be described. When the software (screen sharing software) having a screen sharing function is started in response to the operation as shown in FIG. 6, the client computer 12A firstly assigns the client computer to which the previous process has been assigned to the workflow server 11. Transmits data for inquiring which computer it is (step S21).
The response operation of the workflow server 11 to this inquiry will be described later. Client computer 12
A, after execution of step S21, the workflow server 1
It is determined whether or not the response from 1 is an error (step S22). In the case of an error response, the computer 6 ends the operation by the screen sharing software.

When the client computer 12A responds to the inquiry from the data workflow server 11, the client computer 12A starts accessing the client computer to which the previous process is assigned as a screen sharing destination computer (step). S2
3). Then, it is determined whether or not a response has been received from the screen sharing destination computer and a communication path has been established (step S).
24).

Steps S25 to S29 after FIG. 6 are the same as steps S14 to S18 shown in FIG. 4. If the communication path is established, the end button on the display screen of the computer 12A6 itself is operated. It is determined whether or not it has been performed (step S25). When the end button is operated, the computer 12A immediately disconnects the connection with the screen sharing destination computer and ends the operation by the screen sharing software. If the end button has not been operated, it is determined whether or not there is a screen input (step S26). If there is a screen input, the input content is transmitted to the screen sharing destination computer 7 via the above-described communication path (step S27). If there is no screen input, it is determined whether or not the screen input content has been transmitted from the screen sharing destination computer (step S28). This step S
28 is also executed after execution of step S27. If there is a screen input at the screen sharing destination computer, the screen input is transmitted to the computer 12A, so that the screen input is reflected on the operation of the computer 12A (step S29). Then, step S2
4 and the above operation is repeated. Step S also when there is no transmission of screen input contents from the screen sharing destination computer
Return to 24.

The same operations as those of the computer 12A are performed in the computers 12B to 12C and 14 as well. The workflow server 11 performs the workflow operation shown in FIG. 2 and operates as follows to respond to the inquiry from the client computer in step S21.

As shown in FIG. 7, the workflow server 11 reads out the instruction sheet stored in the disk onto a memory (step S31). It is determined whether there is any client computer that has made an inquiry among the client computers assigned to each process indicated in the instruction sheet (step S32). If the computer 12A makes an inquiry, it is determined whether or not the computer 12A exists in the client computers assigned to the respective steps indicated in the instruction sheet. If the inquiry is from a client computer that does not exist in the client computer assigned to each process, an error response is sent to the inquiring client computer (step S33). On the other hand, if the inquiry is from a client computer existing in the client computer assigned to each step, the client computer to which the previous step has been assigned is retrieved from the instruction sheet and obtained (step S34). Then, data indicating the name of the client computer to which the previous process is assigned is transmitted to the inquiring client computer (step S35).

By the operation of the client computer and the workflow server, the worker involved in the workflow process process can operate the client computer that has executed the previous process without knowing the details of the computer in charge for each process of the workflow operation. The screen can be shared by the collaboration operation with the user. Therefore, the worker can easily inquire of the worker involved in the previous process about the details of the work content, unclear points, etc.,
Since there is no need to stand for inquiry, work efficiency can be improved.

When screen sharing is performed by the real-time collaboration operation, the following processing can be further performed. When a workflow reflection button (not shown) on the display screen is operated, the client computer on which the operation is performed, as shown in FIG. A command to change the assignment is issued to the workflow server 11 (step S41). The workflow reflection button is a button formed on the screen by executing the screen sharing software.For example, when the mouse is clicked while the mouse pointer is positioned on the workflow reflection button, the workflow reflection button is operated. Becomes

As shown in FIG. 9, the workflow server 11 to which the instruction to change the process assignment is sent reads out the instruction sheet stored in the disk onto a memory (step S51), and transmits the change instruction to the client computer. The contents of the instruction sheet are rewritten to the client computer name of the screen sharing destination indicated by the change command for the process assigned to (step S52).

As described above, when screen sharing is performed in the real-time collaboration operation, it is appropriate that a worker who is involved in the previous process operates the computer and is in charge of executing the process to be performed in the workflow operation. In such a case, it is possible to smoothly change the process assignment of the workflow. In the real-time collaboration operation, the screen may be shared among three or more client computers.
Also in this case, the contents of the instruction sheet can be rewritten by generating a process assignment change command indicating the name of the client computer to which the worker found to be qualified is involved.

Note that the pre-process is not limited to the process before one process in the instruction sheet, but may be a process before a plurality of processes such as the first process. Further, the real-time collaboration operation is not limited to sharing the same screen. What is necessary is that the collaboration work is performed in real time such as a video conference.

Further, in the above embodiment, the client computer inquires the workflow server about the name of the client computer to which the previous process has been assigned. It is only necessary to be able to inquire of information that can start communication with a desired client computer.

[0025]

As described above, a client computer to which execution of a process is assigned by a workflow operation performs a real-time collaboration operation such as screen sharing with another client computer which has executed a previous process for the execution of the process. be able to. Therefore, work efficiency for performing the process can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional workflow system.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a workflow operation of the workflow server of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a system configuration for performing a real-time collaboration operation.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a real-time collaboration operation of the computer of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a workflow system according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a real-time collaboration operation of the client computer of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an inquiry response operation of the workflow server of FIG. 5;

8 is a flowchart showing a process assignment change command operation of the client computer of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a rewriting operation of an instruction sheet of the workflow server of FIG. 5;

[Explanation of symbols]

1A to 1D, 6, 7, 12A to 12C, 14 Client computer 2, 11 Workflow server 10, 16 ISDN line

Continuation of the front page F term (reference) 5B049 CC21 DD01 EE05 EE07 EE54 FF03 FF04 GG04 GG07 5B085 AA08 AC03 BA06 BE07 BG07 CE06 5B089 GA11 GA21 GB04 HA06 JA16 KA01 KA04 KB04 KC44 LB04 LB14 5K033 AA09 BA02 DA01

Claims (4)

[Claims] A server for allocating each step of a processing operation including a plurality of steps to any one of a plurality of client computers;
Is a workflow system that executes an assigned step and notifies the server of the execution result, wherein the one client computer operates information on the client computer to which a step other than the assigned step is assigned. In response to the inquiry, the server notifies the one client computer of the information of the assigned client computer in response to the inquiry, and the one client computer transmits a client of the information notified from the server. A workflow system that performs a sharing operation by communicating with a computer. 2. The workflow system according to claim 1, wherein the server notifies a computer name as information of the assigned client computer. 3. The one client computer,
The workflow system according to claim 1, wherein screen sharing is performed as the sharing operation with the client computer of the information notified from the server. 4. The server has a memory in which an instruction sheet indicating a client computer assigned for each of the plurality of processes is stored in advance, and the one client computer performs the sharing operation in accordance with an operation during the sharing operation. Sending a change command of the process assignment to the client computer of the other party performing the process to the server, wherein the server updates the client computer assigned the instruction sheet according to the change command of the process assignment. 1. The workflow system according to 1.