Modeling user input and interaction in workflow based applications
View Patent ↗Systems and methods that implement interactivity as part of a workflow itself. Data is passed in and out of the workflow to form an interactive workflow, via employing an interactive activity component. Such interactive activity component models suspension points within a workflow definition, wherein user input and associated interaction can be supplied to the workflow during various interactivity breaks that request user input. Such an arrangement enables a controlled/synchronous data exchange between the workflow and a host application associated therewith.
1. A computer implemented system, comprising:
a processor; and
a memory comprising a workflow system and an interactive activity component, wherein:
the workflow system includes a workflow runtime, the workflow runtime being configured to execute a workflow that includes a plurality of workflow activities;
the workflow system is configured to receive data through the interactive activity component;
the interactive activity component is configured to receive user input and incorporate the user input into the workflow;
the workflow system is configured to suspend execution of the workflow when a suspension point associated with the interactive activity component is reached;
the workflow system is configured to supply the user input collected at the suspension point to the workflow; and
the workflow system is configured to resume execution of the workflow subsequent to receiving the user input.
2. The computer implemented system of claim 1 , wherein the workflow system is also configured to send data to the interactive activity component.
3. The computer implemented system of claim 1 , wherein the workflow system is configured to communicate state of the workflow to a component defining a user interface, the state being configured to affect an appearance of the user interface.
4. The computer implemented system of claim 1 , wherein the interactive activity component is configured to receive the user input while the workflow is suspended.
5. The computer implemented system of claim 1 , wherein the workflow is configured to enter an error state based on lapse of a period of time.
6. The computer implemented system of claim 1 , wherein the workflow is configured for interaction with a plurality of different users.
7. The computer implemented system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of workflow activities include a starting activity, an interactive activity, and an ending activity.
8. A method, implemented at a computer system that includes a processor and a memory comprising a workflow system and an interactive activity component, the workflow system being configured to receive data through the interactive activity component, the method comprising:
executing a workflow by a workflow runtime of the workflow system, the workflow including a plurality of workflow activities;
receiving user input by the interactive activity component and incorporating the user input into the workflow;
suspending execution of the workflow when a suspension point associated with the interactive activity component is reached;
supplying the user input collected at the suspension point to the workflow; and
resuming execution of the workflow subsequent to receiving the user input.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the workflow system is also configured to send data to the interactive activity component.
10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the workflow system communicates state of the workflow to a component defining a user interface, the state being configured to affect an appearance of the user interface.
11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the interactive activity component receives the user input while the workflow is suspended.
12. The method of claim 8 , wherein the workflow enters an error state based on lapse of a period of time.
13. The method of claim 8 , wherein the workflow is configured for interaction with a plurality of different users.
14. The method of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of workflow activities include a starting activity, an interactive activity, and an ending activity.
15. A computer program product comprising one or more hardware storage devices having stored thereon computer-executable instructions that are configured such that, when executed by one or more processors of a computer system, the computer executable instructions cause the computer system to instantiate a workflow system and an interactive activity component, and wherein:
the workflow system includes a workflow runtime, the workflow runtime being configured to execute a workflow that includes a plurality of workflow activities;
the workflow system is configured to receive data through the interactive activity component;
the interactive activity component is configured to receive user input and incorporate the user input into the workflow;
the workflow system is configured to suspend execution of the workflow when a suspension point associated with the interactive activity component is reached;
the workflow system is configured to supply the user input collected at the suspension point to the workflow; and
the workflow system is configured to resume execution of the workflow subsequent to receiving the user input.
16. The computer program product of claim 15 , wherein the workflow system is also configured to send data to the interactive activity component.
17. The computer program product of claim 15 , wherein the workflow system is configured to communicate state of the workflow to a component defining a user interface, the state being configured to affect an appearance of the user interface.
18. The computer program product of claim 15 , wherein the interactive activity component is configured to receive the user input while the workflow is suspended.
19. The computer program product of claim 15 , wherein the workflow is configured to enter an error state if an error occurs when collecting the user input.
20. The computer program product of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of workflow activities include a starting activity, an interactive activity, and an ending activity.