Study on simplification rules and linear temporal inference of workflow models based on fuzzy-timing colored petri net

Modeling of distributed collaborative workflow system and time performance computation is an important content in workflow theory. The description of different events, time performance analysis and optimization in Workflow Management System (WFMS) should be considered in conventional workflow models based on Petri net. To solve this problem, the formal definition of fuzzy-timing colored Petri Net (FTCPN) w1ere proposed. And the simplification rules of the four basic workflow pattern based on FTCPN and their linear temporal inferences were provided. Finally, taking collaborative product conceptual design of automobile body as an example, whose workflow model based FTCPN was constructed to employ and validate the proposed methods. The study results indicate that FTCPN can roundly describe the uncertain time information and work state of different cases in complex workflow system, and has the important reference value in enriching the theory of distributed workflow modeling in WFMS.