Abstract: A system for analyzing and structuring business processes implemented in software to provides businesses with tools to manage business processes. The system i) notifies the user that he or she has a step to begin or to complete; ii) provides the user with the proper tools to complete a task; iii) provides the user with the proper information to complete a task; iv) allows the user to see where a task fits in the overall process; v) manages proper reminders, alerts, and follow-ups to keep the process moving; vi) automates certain standard procedures; vii) integrates with the organization's existing business systems; and viii) provides application program interfaces that allow developers to develop applications that are workflow-enabled. The system utilizes a workflow server including a transactions manager and a database.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus which is used to enable application developers to generate workflow enabled applications which request services from the workflow server component of the workflow system, remotely and indirectly using messaging, shared databases or inter-process communications. The present invention provides a standard transaction format (STF) for accessing such a workflow system through STF processors via messaging, updates to the shared databases or inter-process communications. Workflow enabled applications are used by users to act and participate in business processes and enable users and managers to observe and query the status of workflows and business processes.

Abstract: The invention is a method and system which provides consultants, business process analysts, and application developers with a unified tool with which to conduct business process analysis, design, documentation and to generate business process definitions and workflow-enabled applications. The invention may be implemented using a software system which has two functional sets. One is a set of graphical tools that can be used by a developer or business analyst to map out business processes. The second is a set of tools that can be used to document and specify in detail the attributes of each workflow definition, including roles, cycle time, conditions, of satisfaction, cost and value, associated text, forms, application data as well as detail the attributes of links between workflows required to complete a business process map, and to generate a business process definition and a workflow-enabled application.

Abstract: The invention is a method and system which provides consultants, business process analysts, and application developers with a unified tool with which to conduct business process analysis, design, and documentation. The invention may be implemented using a software system which has two functional sets. One is a set of graphical tools that can be used by a developer or business analyst to map out business processes. The second is a set of tools that can be used to document and specify in detail the attributes of each workflow definition, including roles, timing, conditions of satisfaction, forms, and links required to complete a business process definition. The invention utilizes fundamental concept of workflow analysis that any business process can be interpreted as a sequence of basic transactions called workflows.

Abstract: A method for managing business, social, and/or personal communications utilizing a programmed computer system including certain defining steps. All communications between a set of participants are defined as moves in conversations for declaring specific realizable possibilities or as moves in conversations for producing actions to complete specific possibilities. These conversations are defined as taking place within a set of declared or understood domains of possibilities. A set of conversational roles played by participants in the conversations is defined. Each participant plays at least one conversational role in any conversation. A set of types of incompletions which occur recurringly within the conversations is also defined. A set of types of permitted moves in conversations is defined on the basis of the defined incompletions, the defined roles, and the specific types of incompletions produced by the permitted moves. For each of the types of moves a set of associated data is defined.

Abstract: A method for managing communications between individuals utilizing a programmed computer system. The method involves several definitional steps that are critical to achieving a practicable methodology for conversation management. The integrated concepts of "moves in conversations" of two basic types (Conversation for Action and Conversation for Possibilities), conversational roles, types of incompletions, and logical/functional relationships between moves, incompletions, and roles, provide a set of constructs on which a powerful and practicable methodology for conversation management may be built. They provide a basis for defining a meaningful conversation record format which can be integrated into a conversation data base using standard data base building and management tools. A system for managing communications which incorporates the methodology of this invention provides a powerful framework for structuring human conversations.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for improved plasma treating of circuit boards is disclosed wherein a plasma treating zone and a gas resupply zone are established in a chamber, an actuating mechanism being provided to establish relative movement between the circuit boards and the zones during treatment of the circuit boards. The apparatus preferably includes a chamber for receipt of a gas and having electrodes centrally positioned therein for generating an electrical field at a central portion of the chamber thereby exciting the gas thereat and creating a zone of intense plasma.