In the preferred embodiment, the system creates electronic data forms by utilizing Xforms, the electronic data forms are formatted in the extensible markup language (XML) format or Java format, and outputs various types of electronic data forms. The XForms provide a superior way to build web-based forms that are more versatile, and device independent.
The worklist sub-system 2 connects to the workflow engine 4 and the business sub-system 5 by utilizing the data link 3 (i.e., WebService or EJB), so that the workflow engine 4 can exchange data with the business sub-system 5. If the worklist sub-system 2 connects to the workflow engine 4 and the business sub-system 5 by utilizing the WebService, data of the workflow engine 4 exchanges with the data of the business sub-system 5 in the XML format. For example, a request sent by the workflow engine 4 sends a request to the business sub-system 5 in the XML format, and then the business sub-system 5 sends a feedback result to the workflow engine 4 in the XML format. Otherwise, if the worklist sub-system 2 connects to the workflow engine 4 and the business sub-system 5 by utilizing the EJB, the data of the workflow engine 4 exchanges with the data of the business sub-system 5 in the Java format. When a data form processing request is sent to the system, the system obtains a workflow form by connecting to the workflow engine 4 and the business sub-system 5, and then processes the workflow form.
The worklist database 7 is configured for storing a plurality of configuration information related to the workflow form processing. The configuration information include workflow configuration information (i.e., related information of the business sub-system 5 and the workflow engine 4), data form configuration information (i.e., data forms to be selected), and system management configuration information (i.e., personal data of clients and group management information).
The connecting unit 20 is configured for connecting the worklist sub-system 2 to the workflow engine 4 and the business sub-system 5 by utilizing the data link 3, in order that the workflow engine 4 can exchange data with the business sub-system 5.
The worklist storing unit 21 is configured for receiving the data form processing request from the client who is considered as an applicant applying for processing the data form, for obtaining corresponding workflow information and business information from the workflow engine 4 and the business sub-system 5 that are connected. The worklist storing unit 21 is configured for obtaining the personal data from the system management configuration information stored in the worklist database 7, and for generating a worklist for storing items to be processed. The worklist includes at least one item. The workflow information includes the request on processing data forms. In the preferred embodiment, the business information typically includes “number/subject/applicant/editor/date/state/undertake/name/display”. Alternatively, the worklist storing unit 21 can obtain the personal data from the system management unit 24 via the form processing unit 22.
The form processing unit 22 is configured for generating a workflow form by storing an open item in an appropriate data form, and processing the workflow form. The form processing unit 22 includes a generating module 220 and a form signing module 222.
Referring to
In the preferred embodiment, the workflow form is configured with a certificate authority (CA). The CA is an authority in the network that issues and manages security credentials and public key for message encryption. As part of a public key infrastructure (PKI), the CA checks with a registration authority (RA) to verify information provided by the requestor of a digital certificate. If the RA verifies the requestor's information, the CA can issue a certificate. Depending on the PKI implementation, the certificate includes the client's public key, the expiration date of the certificate, the client's name, and other information about the client.
The informing unit 23 is configured for sending a processing result (i.e., a signing result or a rejection remark) of the workflow form to the client when the form signing module 222 finishes processing the workflow form.
The system management unit 24 can be configured in the workflow engine 4, the worklist sub-system 2 or the business sub-system 5. The system management unit 24 is configured for managing the personal data and the group information. For example, the client needs to login the system before the client sends the data form processing request to the system, the system management unit 24 obtains the personal data from the system management configuration information, then determines whether the client has an authorization to access the system.
In step S200, the worklist storing unit 21 receives the data form processing request from the client, and obtains the personal data from the system management configuration information. The personal data includes a name of the applicant (the client), a subject, an applied unit, contact information, mailbox, and so on.
In step S300, the worklist storing unit 21 obtains the workflow information from the workflow engine 4 according to the data form processing request.
In step S400, the worklist storing unit 21 obtains the business information from the business sub-system 5 according to the data form processing request, and generates the worklist for storing the items to be processed. The business information may include “number/subject/applicant/editor/date/state/undertake/name/display”.
In step S500, when a tag of one item is an “opened” tag in the worklist, the generating module 220 selects an appropriate data form, and generates a workflow form by storing the item in the appropriate data form.
In step S600, the form signing module 222 processes the workflow form by utilizing the form processing steps that may include the step of approving the workflow form with the singing result, or the step of rejecting the workflow for with the rejection remark.
If the form signing module 222 approves the workflow form, the worklist sub-system 2 updates the business sub-system 5, and then the informing unit 23 sends the signing result of the workflow form to the client. On contrary, if the form signing module 222 rejects the workflow form, the informing unit 23 sends the rejection remark of the workflow form to the client.
It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present invention, particularly, any “preferred” embodiments, are merely possible examples of implementations, set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) of the invention without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure, and the present invention is protected by the following claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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200610200869.6 | Sep 2006 | CN | national |