1. A computer-implemented method, implemented in a computer system, comprising:
creating a business process model, using a processor of the computer system, wherein
the business process model comprises
a set of primitives, and
one or more associations,
the set of primitives comprise at least one of
a control flow primitive, or
an annotation primitive,
each association of the one or more associations is configured to define a relationship between a plurality of primitives of the set of primitives,
said each association of the one or more associations is classified by an association type, and
the creating comprises
receiving business process data, wherein
the business process data is configured to be received at a business process model creator, and
the business process data is for the business process, and
creating an object for the business process data based on the business process model, wherein
the creating the object is performed by the business process model creator; and
storing the business process model in a business process model repository, wherein
the business process model repository is stored in a storage device of the computer system,
the business process model repository and the business process model creator are coupled to one another,
the business process model is a meta-model of a business process,
the business process model repository is configured to provide a view point of a plurality of view points of the model to different classes of users, and
the view point is a view of the business process.
2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:
presenting, using a processor of the computer, a class-specific view point of the model to a user of a first class of users, wherein
the class-specific view point exposes detail of a first phase of a plurality of phases of a business process definition,
the class-specific view point hides a detail of a second phase of the plurality of phases of the business process definition, and
the processor is coupled to the storage device and a display unit of the computer.
3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, wherein the presenting comprises:
displaying the class-specific view point;
tracing the set of primitives and the plurality of associations; and
presenting the set of primitives and the plurality of associations.
4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, wherein
the class-specific view point is based at least upon the user having membership in the first class of users such that the presenting is prevented for a second user of a second class of users, and
the first class of users and the second class of users are involved in different phases of the business process definition.
5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the creating further comprises:
composing the object into the business process model, wherein
the composing is performed by the business process model creator.
6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, wherein the composing comprises:
creating a usage pattern by composing the set of primitives and at least one of the one or more associations into the usage pattern, wherein
the usage pattern created is determined by the at least one of the one or more associations that are applied to the set of primitives.
7. A computer system comprising:
a processor;
a storage device, wherein
the storage device is coupled to the processor; and
a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, wherein
the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is coupled to the processor and the storage device,
the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium stores instructions, executable by the processor and configured to implement a business process definition controller, and
the business process definition controller comprises
a business process model repository, wherein
the business process model repository is stored in the storage device,
the business process model repository is configured to store a business process model,
the business process model is a meta-model of a business process and comprises
a set of primitives, and
one or more associations,
the set of primitives comprise at least one of
a control flow primitive, or
an annotation primitive, and
each association of the one or more associations is configured to define a relationship between a plurality of primitives of the set of primitives,
said each association of the one or more associations is classified by an association type, and
a business process model creator, wherein
the business process model creator is coupled to the business process model repository,
the business process model creator is configured to receive business process data, wherein
the business process data is for the business process, and
create an object for the business process data based on the business process model.
8. The computer system of claim 7, wherein
the business process model creator is further configured to compose the object into the business process model.
9. The computer system of claim 8, wherein the composing comprises:
creating a usage pattern by composing the set of primitives and at least one of the one or more associations into the usage pattern, wherein
the usage pattern created is determined by the at least one of the one or more associations that are applied.
10. The computer system of claim 7, wherein
the association type comprises
a usage type code,
a source primitive type, and
a target primitive type.
11. The computer system of claim 7, wherein the business process definition controller further comprises:
a meta-model definition tool, wherein
the meta-model definition tool is coupled to the business process model repository, and
the meta-model definition tool is configured to facilitate creation of the meta-model.
12. The computer system of claim 7, wherein the business process definition controller further comprises:
a business process refinement module, wherein
the business process refinement module is coupled to the business process model repository, and
the business process refinement module is configured to facilitate refinement of the business process model based on the view point.
13. The computer system of claim 7, wherein the business process definition controller further comprises:
a business process viewing module, wherein
the business process viewing module is coupled to the business process model repository, and
the business process viewing module is configure to facilitate viewing of the business process model based on the view point.
14. A computer program product comprising:
a plurality of instructions, comprising
a first set of instructions, executable on a computer system, configured to create a business process model, using a processor of the computer system, wherein
the business process model comprises
a set of primitives, and
one or more associations,
the set of primitives comprise at least one of
a control flow primitive, or
an annotation primitive,
each association of the one or more associations is configured to define a relationship between a plurality of primitives of the set of primitives,
said each association of the one or more associations is classified by an association type, and
the first set of instructions comprises
a first subset of instructions, executable on the computer system, configured to receive a business process data, wherein p\u221d\u2003the business process data is configured to be received at a business process model creator, and p\u221d\u2003the business process data is for the business process, and
a second subset of instructions, executable on the computer system, configured to create an object for the business process data based on the business process model, wherein
\u2003the creating the object is performed by the business process model creator, and
a second set of instructions, executable on the computer system, configured to store the business process model in a business process model repository, wherein
the business process model repository is stored in a storage device of the computer system,
the business process model repository and the business process model creator are coupled to one another,
the business process model is a meta-model of a business process,
the business process model repository is configured to provide a view point of a plurality of view points of the model to different classes of users, and
the view point is a view of the business process; and
a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, wherein the instructions are encoded in the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium.
15. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the second set of instructions encoded in the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprises:
a first subset of instructions, executable on the computer system, configured to receive business process data, wherein
the business process data is for the business process;
a second subset of instructions, executable on the computer system, configure to create an object for the business process data based on the business process model; and
a third subset of instructions, executable on the computer system, configured to compose the object into the business process model.
16. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the third subset of instructions encoded in the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprises:
a first sub-subset of instructions, executable on the computer system, configured to create a usage pattern by virtue of being configured to compose the set of primitives and at least one of the one or more associations into the usage pattern, wherein
the usage pattern created is determined by the at least one of the one of more associations that are applied to the set of primitives.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A sheet width aligning device including an elevator tray that accommodates sheets of paper thereon and is capable of moving up and down between a lower position where the sheets are loaded and an upper position where the sheets are fed, a pair of guides that are provided on the elevator tray, are capable of moving in a width direction of the sheets, the width direction intersecting a feed direction in which the sheets are fed, and abut against sheet edges extending along the feed direction on the elevator tray to limit the movement of the sheets in the width direction, a pair of racks coupled with the pair of guides, respectively, and a pinion that is rotatably supported by inserting a shaft portion into a shaft hole formed in the pinion, the shaft portion projecting from the elevator tray, wherein the pair of guides are moved so as to increase or decrease the distance therebetween in operative association with the pair of racks meshed with the pinion, the sheet width aligning device comprising:
a pressing mechanism that is provided on a back face side of the elevator tray and includes an abutment member that abuts against the pinion, the pressing mechanism separating the abutment member away from the pinion when the elevator tray is in the lower position, and the pressing mechanism abutting the abutment member against the pinion to press the pinion when the elevator tray is in the upper position.
2. The sheet width aligning device according to claim 1, wherein
the abutment member includes a shaft portion rotatably supported by a pair of wall portions provided on the back face side of the elevator tray and an arm portion extending from the shaft portion toward the pinion, the arm portion having a base end portion attached to the shaft portion so as to pivot about the shaft portion as a fulcrum, and
when the elevator tray is in the upper position, a tip end of the arm portion abuts against a lower surface of the pinion.
3. The sheet width aligning device according to claim 1, wherein
when the elevator tray is in the lower position, the tip end of the arm portion is separated from the pinion.
4. The sheet width aligning device according to claim 2, wherein
the abutment member includes a first engagement portion that is formed in an area extending from the shaft portion in a different direction from the direction the arm portion extends,
a second engagement portion is provided on the sheet table so as to face the first engagement portion, and
the pressing mechanism includes a biasing member that couples the first engagement portion and second engagement portion, and when the elevator tray is in the upper position, biases the arm portion to pivot about the shaft portion as a fulcrum in the direction in which the arm portion presses against the pinion.
5. The sheet width aligning device according to claim 4, wherein
the biasing member includes a spring hook.
6. A sheet feeding device including a sheet feeding mechanism that feeds sheets of paper, comprising:
a sheet width aligning device according to claim 1.