A system and method are disclosed for transforming catalog data from multiple supplier sources to a standardized rich content catalog either by the suppliers themselves or by a third party using the system and method of the present invention. Incoming raw catalog data content is cleansed and normalized using an extensive knowledge base of patterns and incoming schemas are appended to the cleansed and normalized data. The resulting rich content catalogs are published for user browsing and data syndication. Users are administered to form groups for purposes of shopping, product pricing, and access authorization.

System and method for creation and maintenance of a rich content or content-centric electronic catalog

A user interface (UI) in the form of a single navigable window enables a user to navigate to and between multiple different functionalities that are provided by a single application program. Novel use is made of navigation model that manages the user's navigation activites to and between the different functionalities. Navigation instrumentalities enable the user to navigate among the different functionalities and include links to each of the different functionalities as well as browser-like navigation buttons. Context-sensitive command sets can also be provided along with the single navigable window. The context sensitive command sets include commands that automatically change as the user's computing context changes, e.g. as the user moves from functionality to functionality. The single application can be defined as a software platform that is extensible to receive and incorporate different functionalities. The functionalities can be provided as software modules that can be sent over a network such as the Internet. The extensible software platform provides a basis to offer a subscriber or fee-based service where different subscribers can, for a fee, access different functionalities via a network such as the Internet.

Single window navigation methods and systems

Methods and systems of providing information to computer users are described. In one embodiment, the methods and systems can provide a ranked list of favorite links. The list can be based upon the recency and frequency with which a user accesses items associated with the links. A most recently added favorites list of links is provided that is based upon when particular links were added to a user's favorites list. The methods and system can calculate a union of the lists to provide a collection of favorite quick links.

Methods and systems of providing information to computer users

Methods and systems for network-based or Internet-based software delivery are described. In one embodiment, an application program or software platform resides on a client and is configured so that it is extensible based on software extensions that are deliverable over a network such as the Internet. Various extensions can be developed by third party developers for incorporation into the program or platform.

Methods, systems, architectures and data structures for delivering software via a network

An architecture integrates spreadsheet functionality into tables commonly used in word processing programs and HTML documents. The architecture presents a table user interface (UI) that resembles a table when not being edited and adds spreadsheet elements to the table when being edited. Underlying the table UI, the architecture separates data handling functions from presentation functions. The architecture includes a table appearance manager to manage how the table appears in a document including such characteristics as table resizing, selection, cut, copy, paste, split, merge, table formatting and so on. The architecture also has a spreadsheet functionality manager to manage the spreadsheet functions for the table, such as recalculation, formula handling, sorting, referencing, and the like. The bifurcated architecture supports cross-table referencing, reference editing, automatic universal recalculation throughout all tables in the document, and nested table structures in which one table is nested within a cell of another table.

User interface for integrated spreadsheets and word processing tables

Provided is a method, system, and program for generating a workflow. A plurality of graphical user interfaces (GUI) panels are displayed through which a user may define nodes of a workflow and associate at least one action and user with each node. During workflow execution of each node, the associated user performs the associated action. Further, multiple nodes define actions that process at least one object that is routed through multiple nodes of the workflow. A workflow model is generated from information entered into the GUI panels including the nodes and workflow defined by the user through the GUI panels that process the at least one object. The workflow model is transformed into a workflow definition language (WDL) file. The WDL file is then transferred to a workflow server, wherein the workflow server interacts with a database to implement the workflow model defined in the WDL file in the database. When executing the implementation of the workflow, a request by one user associated with one node is received to access the node when no other user is accessing the node. The user requesting access to the node is granted access to the node to perform the action associated with the node. The node is locked to prevent other users associated with the node from accessing the node. The lock on the node is released when the user granted access to the node completes the action associated with the node, wherein other users can access the node after the lock is released.

Method, system, and program for generating a workflow

Provided is a method, system, and program for performing an Input/Output (I/O) operation on an object during execution of a workflow comprised of nodes. A plurality of objects are stored in one of multiple data stores, wherein each object is identified within the data store with a first object identifier. A workflow packet references at least one object with a second object identifier, wherein the second object identifier indicates one of the data stores and the first object identifier of the referenced object in the data store. An I/O request for one target object referenced by one second object identifier in the workflow packet is received from one node. A determination is made from the second object identifier for the target object the data store and the first object identifier of the target object. The I/O request is performed on the target object at the determined first object identifier in the determined data store.

Method, system, and program for using objects in data stores during execution of a workflow

Devices, methods, and computer programs are disclosed for providing a graphical workflow programming environment for routing documents First a workflow design platform is provided that comprises a process canvas for receiving at least one graphical workflow programming object Next, a graphical representation of the graphical workflow programming object is provided where the graphical representation is adapted to be selected by an administrator of the graphical workflow programming environment and inserted into the process canvas, wherein the graphical workflow programming object comprises a graphical decision point that is adapted to route the documents based on contents of the documents

Content aware workflow builder and workflow engine

Various embodiments of a method, apparatus and article of manufacture provide a decision point in a workflow system comprising a server and at least a first client work node. A decision point work node is provided at the server. A SQL expression which is associated with the decision point work node and the first client work node is generated. The server determines whether to route a work package to the first client work node based on the SQL expression.

Use of generated SQL for evaluation of decision point rules in a workflow system

The present invention pertains to a method, system and storage medium for providing a process view of at least one work item of a process, such as a process for accomplishing tasks of a business process. The method includes the steps of presenting a list view that provides the work item in a list format, selecting the work item from the list view; and providing the work item in the process view. The process view includes a graphical representation of the work item, and representations of relationship data of the work item relative to the process.

Wayne F. Miller

Papers

Method, system, and program for generating a workflow

Method, system, and program for using objects in data stores during execution of a workflow

Content aware workflow builder and workflow engine

Use of generated SQL for evaluation of decision point rules in a workflow system

Method and system for a graphical view of selectable work items