Search strategies at the European Patent Office

Prior-art search is a critical step towards determining whether a patent can be granted or not. In 2016, an internal project called Search Workflow Modelling (SWM) was launched at the European Patent Office (EPO) for building a search knowledgebase, which contains a set of models that record not only the current situation on how patent examiners deal with prior-art search (i.e. the as-is models), but also their requirements of being able to do a more efficient and effective search (i.e. the to-be models). We use the Fact-based Modelling (FBM) approach for formalizing search ontologies, which cover a common vocabulary, relations between concepts related to search, and constraints applicable to these relations. We use a hybrid modelling approach of Business Process Modelling Notations and Case Management Model and Notations (BPMN/CMMN) to model search work flows. A patent search strategy typically involves at least one FBM model and at least one BPMN/CMMN model. In this paper, we will illustrate 5 types of existing search strategies (including recursive flow patterns and FBM models for future search features), and future search strategies. The SWM empirical studies in this paper are being put into practice in the ongoing projects concerning search tools at the EPO.     

全程优化平台中BPMN与BPEL相互转换的研究

针对传统的可视化业务流程模型通常无法直接转换成可执行的流程的陈旧观点,本文提出了全程优化这一方法论,通过对业务流程建模时BPMN到BPEL的映射关系的研究,在全程优化平台上实现了BPMN中基本元素与BPEL相互转换的业务流程图。这种转换使业务员和设计师能更好的交互,从而有效地提高企业对IT的监控力度,使IT更加符合企业业务的需求。     

基于BPMN的业务流程一体化建模方法

为了给业务分析员提供一种简单易懂、直接支持计算机仿真和执行的可视化业务流程建模方法,提出了业务流程一体化建模概念及方法。该方法以业务分析员为本,用业务流程建模符号可视化描述业务流程,用非结构化方式存储业务流程;基于元素语义细分设计理念,完善了业务流程建模符号规范图形元素的显示语义,引入非图形元素Node,以明确业务流程执行语义,设计了描述业务流程模型的元模型结构及计算机仿真与执行机制。通过实际研发业务流程管理系统,验证了该方法的可行性。     

BPMN Miner: Automated discovery of BPMN process models with hierarchical structure

Existing techniques for automated discovery of process models from event logs generally produce flat process models. Thus, they fail to exploit the notion of subprocess as well as error handling and repetition constructs provided by contemporary process modeling notations, such as the Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN). This paper presents a technique, namely BPMN Miner, for automated discovery of hierarchical BPMN models containing interrupting and non-interrupting boundary events and activity markers. The technique employs approximate functional and inclusion dependency discovery techniques in order to elicit a process–subprocess hierarchy from the event log. Given this hierarchy and the projected logs associated to each node in the hierarchy, parent process and subprocess models are discovered using existing techniques for flat process model discovery. Finally, the resulting models and logs are heuristically analyzed in order to identify boundary events and markers. By employing approximate dependency discovery techniques, BPMN Miner is able to detect and filter out noise in the event log arising for example from data entry errors, missing event records or infrequent behavior. Noise is detected during the construction of the subprocess hierarchy and filtered out via heuristics at the lowest possible level of granularity in the hierarchy. A validation with one synthetic and two real-life logs shows that process models derived by the proposed technique are more accurate and less complex than those derived with flat process discovery techniques. Meanwhile, a validation on a family of synthetically generated logs shows that the technique is resilient to varying levels of noise.     

BPMN改进MVC建模的研究

介绍了业务流程研究的最新成果和对企业级应用集成的意义,分析了MVC实际应用中的缺陷,MVC和BPMN(Business Process Modeling Notation)在机理上的可衔接性,从而提出用BPMN辅助MVC建模,使基于MVC模型的应用结构更趋合理,并且更容易实现EAI.     

From BPMN process models to DMN decision models

The interplay between process and decision models plays a crucial role in business process management, as decisions may be based on running processes and affect process outcomes. Often process models include decisions that are encoded through process control flow structures and data flow elements, thus reducing process model maintainability. The Decision Model and Notation (DMN) was proposed to achieve separation of concerns and to possibly complement the Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) for designing decisions related to process models. Nevertheless, deriving decision models from process models remains challenging, especially when the same data underlie both process and decision models. In this paper, we explore how and to which extent the data modeled in BPMN processes and used for decision-making may be represented in the corresponding DMN decision models. To this end, we identify a set of patterns that capture possible representations of data in BPMN processes and that can be used to guide the derivation of decision models related to existing process models. Throughout the paper we refer to real-world healthcare processes to show the applicability of the proposed approach.     

Modeling of petroleum products sampling processes

Abstract

This paper describes a holistic approach to operation processes in the domain of petroleum products sampling which is important in validating the performance of custody transfer measurements. The acquisition and process visualization is followed by a detailed analysis of all relevant processes and discussion. In that way, the most important aspects related to sampling, which comply with the most rigorous requirements for custody transfer, will be shown. In order to represent petroleum products sampling, a model has been defined and connected to the defined processes in a BPMN 2.0 notation. Thereafter, the notation was enriched with new elements, representing other complex segments, such as defining selection criteria, sampling handling and operational considerations. In that regard, different situations and factors were integrated and enriched with new details, enabling guidance for the correct selection and smooth running of a sampling system.     

SOArTester4RT:一种面向组合服务演化的高效回归测试工具

提出了一中基于有向图关键路径选择的组合服务回归测试方法.通过分析组合服务执行流,识别受影响的执行流,选择适当的回归测试路径,并生成相应的回归测试用例.基于该方法,在SOArWare平台上实现了SOArTester4RT 工具.实例分析和测试结果表明:该工具可以对BPMN的各种控制结构加以分析,产生必需的测试用例,有效提高了组合服务演化后的回归测试效率.     

SOArTester:一个基于精简用例的组合服务自动化测试系统

测试是保证组合服务功能正确性、性能和可靠性的必要手段.基于BPMN的组合服务流程具有多参数多取值的特征,参数的取值组合数量巨大.本文提出了一种基于组合精简技术的测试用例精简方法,用于检测输入参数间的相互作用对组合服务执行可能产生的影响,设计并实现了基于BPMN规范的组合服务自动化测试系统SOArTester.该系统支持自动化的测试环境部署、测试执行和监控,生成的用例数量与参数个数之间呈现对数增长关系.实验表明SOArTester系统提高了组合服务测试的自动化程度,降低了组合服务测试的开销,因而提高了测试的效率.