U.S. patent application number 11/249942 was filed with the patent office on 2007-04-19 for system and method for identifying and measuring adherence to software development requirements.
Invention is credited to Steven Edward Atkin, Michael Francis Moriarty, Dale Martin Schultz, William James Sullivan, Susan Jane Williams, Luis Zapata.
Application Number | 20070089085 11/249942 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37949550 |
Filed Date | 2007-04-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070089085 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Atkin; Steven Edward ; et
al. |
April 19, 2007 |
System and method for identifying and measuring adherence to
software development requirements
Abstract
A system and method for identifying and measuring adherence to
software development requirements is presented. A software agent
provides a user with product and technical questions. In turn, the
user provides product and technical answers, or attributes, which
are stored in a repository. A globalization plan generator uses the
product and technical attributes to generate a software development
plan. In addition, a globalization verification test generator uses
the globalization plan to generate a test plan and measure the
success of the software product based upon the test plan.
Inventors: |
Atkin; Steven Edward;
(Wesley Chapel, FL) ; Moriarty; Michael Francis;
(Byron, MN) ; Schultz; Dale Martin; (Chelmsford,
MA) ; Sullivan; William James; (Bethal, CT) ;
Williams; Susan Jane; (Sherman, CT) ; Zapata;
Luis; (Wake Forest, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
IBM CORPORATION- AUSTIN (JVL);C/O VAN LEEUWEN & VAN LEEUWEN
PO BOX 90609
AUSTIN
TX
78709-0609
US
|
Family ID: |
37949550 |
Appl. No.: |
11/249942 |
Filed: |
October 13, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
717/101 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 10/063 20130101;
G06F 8/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
717/101 |
International
Class: |
G06F 9/44 20060101
G06F009/44 |
Claims
1. A computer-implemented method comprising: providing at least one
of a product question and a technical question to a user;
receiving, from the user, product attributes corresponding to the
product question and technical attributes corresponding to the
technical questions based upon a software product; analyzing the
product attributes and the technical attributes received from the
user; and generating a software development plan for the software
product based upon the analysis.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the analyzing further comprises:
retrieving expert information from a data storage area; and
comparing the expert information with the product attributes and
the technical attributes.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the product attributes include an
international marketplace; and wherein the software development
plan includes a globalization plan corresponding to the
international marketplace.
4. The method of claim 3 further comprising: identifying language
translation requirements corresponding to the international
marketplace; and including the language translation requirements in
the globalization plan.
5. The method of claim 1 further comprising: providing the software
development plan to a test generator; and receiving, from the test
generator, a software verification test plan based upon the
software development plan.
6. The method of claim 5 further comprising: testing the software
product using the software verification test plan; and generating a
scorecard based upon the testing.
7. The method of claim 1 further comprising: determining, based
upon the technical attributes, that development tools inhibit
correct implementation of the software product; and including a
noncompliance remark in the software development plan in response
to the determination.
8. A computer program product comprising: a computer operable
medium having computer readable code, the computer readable code
being effective to: provide at least one of a product question and
a technical question to a user; receive, from the user, product
attributes corresponding to the product question and technical
attributes corresponding to the technical questions based upon a
software product; analyze the product attributes and the technical
attributes received from the user; and generate a software
development plan for the software product based upon the
analysis.
9. The computer program product of claim 8 wherein the computer
readable code is further effective to: retrieve expert information
from a data storage area; and compare the expert information with
the product attributes and the technical attributes.
10. The computer program product of claim 8 wherein the product
attributes include an international marketplace; and wherein the
software development plan includes a globalization plan
corresponding to the international marketplace.
11. The computer program product of claim 10 wherein the computer
readable code is further effective to: identify language
translation requirements corresponding to the international
marketplace; and include the language translation requirements in
the globalization plan.
12. The computer program product of claim 8 wherein the computer
readable code is further effective to: provide the software
development plan to a test generator; and receive, from the test
generator, a software verification test plan based upon the
software development plan.
13. The computer program product of claim 12 wherein the computer
readable code is further effective to: test the software product
using the software verification test plan; and generate a scorecard
based upon the testing.
14. The computer program product of claim 8 wherein the computer
readable code is further effective to: determine, based upon the
technical attributes, that development tools inhibit correct
implementation of the software product; and include a noncompliance
remark in the software development plan in response to the
determination.
15. An information handling system comprising: one or more
processors; a memory accessible by the processors; one or more
nonvolatile storage devices accessible by the processors; and a
plan generation tool for generating a software development plan,
the plan generation tool being effective to: provide at least one
of a product question and a technical question to a user over a
computer network; receive, from the user, product attributes
corresponding to the product question and technical attributes
corresponding to the technical questions based upon a software
product over the computer network; analyze, using one of the
processors, the product attributes and the technical attributes
received from the user; and generate the software development plan
for the software product based upon the analysis.
16. The information handling system of claim 15 wherein the plan
generation tool is further effective to: retrieve expert
information from one of the nonvolatile storage areas; and compare
the expert information with the product attributes and the
technical attributes.
17. The information handling system of claim 15 wherein the product
attributes include an international marketplace; and wherein the
software development plan includes a globalization plan
corresponding to the international marketplace.
18. The information handling system of claim 10 wherein the plan
generation tool is further effective to: identify language
translation requirements corresponding to the international
marketplace; and include the language translation requirements in
the globalization plan.
19. The information handling system of claim 15 wherein the plan
generation tool is further effective to: provide the software
development plan to a test generator; and receive, from the test
generator, a software verification test plan based upon the
software development plan.
20. The information handling system of claim 15 wherein the plan
generation tool is further effective to: determine, based upon the
technical attributes, that development tools inhibit correct
implementation of the software product; and include a noncompliance
remark in the software development plan in response to the
determination.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The present invention relates to a system and method for
identifying and measuring adherence to software development
requirements. More particularly, the present invention relates to a
system and method for providing product and technical questions to
a user and, in response, receiving product and technical attributes
for use in generating a globalization plan.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Software development and support typically requires
assistance from experts in specific disciplines in order to provide
a successful software product. For example, a company may develop a
software product that the company wishes to provide to multiple
countries. In this example, each country may have different
software requirements, let alone different languages, and a
software developer may not be a subject matter expert in each
country's software requirements.
[0005] Today, a company may employ subject matter experts for
reviewing designs and architectures in order to ensure that a
particular software product plan includes particular requirements.
A challenge found, however, is that this approach is typically
expensive and error prone.
[0006] Current systems enable development teams to track software
requirements in an automated manner once the software requirements
have been identified. A challenge found, however, is that these
systems are limited in their ability to identify requirements that
require deep knowledge of a geographic market. Currently, software
development teams must hire software analysts that have intimate
knowledge of the requirements related to individual countries and
languages. Each analyst works closely with the development team,
which requires a substantial time commitment from both the analyst
and the software architects. This approach is subject to errors,
costly, and produces inconsistent results.
[0007] What is needed, therefore, is a system and method for
identifying and measuring adherence to software development
requirements for a software development plan.
SUMMARY
[0008] It has been discovered that the aforementioned challenges
are resolved using a system and method for providing product and
technical questions to a user, and receiving corresponding product
and technical attributes for use in generating a globalization
plan. A software agent provides a user with product and technical
questions. In turn, the user provides product and technical
answers, or attributes, which are stored in a repository. A
globalization plan generator uses the product and technical
attributes to generate a software development plan. In addition, a
globalization verification test generator uses the globalization
plan to generate a test plan and measure the success of the
software product based upon the test plan.
[0009] A user wishes to supply a software product to global
markets, and uses the software agent in conjunction with the
globalization plan generator to generate a software globalization
plan. For example, the user may be developing a software product
that is targeted for the United States, China, and India. In this
example, the user may not be aware of the requirements to support
the software product in China and India.
[0010] A software agent provides product questions and technical
questions to the user. The product questions may correspond to
which markets (e.g., China, India) the user plans to supply the
software product. The technical questions may correspond to the
development tools the user plans to use to create the software
product. In addition, the software agent may ask security questions
such as whether the software product stores credit card numbers or
whether the software product asks for a person's name and
address.
[0011] The user responds to the questions and provides product
attributes and technical attributes, which the software agent
stores in a repository. A globalization plan generator retrieves
the product attributes and the technical attributes, and begins to
formulate a globalization plan. First, the globalization plan
generator analyzes the product attributes and retrieves expert
information from a storage area regarding industry and customer
trends, marketing requirements, and local laws to specify what
languages are required for basic support and translation. For
example, if the product attributes specify that the software
product will be supplied to India, the globalization plan generator
retrieves expert information pertaining to India.
[0012] Next, the globalization plan generator analyzes the
technical attributes and retrieves expert information from the
storage area that specifies particular implementation techniques,
such as "Unicode must be used to comply with GB18030," which is a
Chinese national standard for encoding Chinese text. In addition,
the globalization plan generator identifies whether the development
tools the user specified will provide the required implementation
techniques. The globalization plan generator generates a
globalization plan based upon the product and technical analysis,
and provides the globalization plan to the user. In turn, the user
reviews the globalization plan and makes changes accordingly.
[0013] Once the globalization plan is updated, plan data and
deviation data are generated and sent to geography teams and
deviation review teams. In turn, the geography teams and the
deviation review teams provide feedback that is incorporated into
the updated globalization plan. Once the feedback is incorporated
into the updated globalization plan, the updated globalization plan
is sent to a globalization verification test (GVT) generator.
[0014] The GVT generator determines test requirements based upon
the updated globalization plan, and includes the tests in a GVT
test plan, which is stored in a repository. A centralized
organization, such as a "globalization center of competency"
organization, may review the GVT test plan and offer suggestions
that test planners may accept or reject.
[0015] The GVT test plan is sent to a globalization verification
test system, which executes the GVT test plan on the software
product and, in turn, generates scorecards that include the success
and failure of the tests. As a result, GVT test personnel may
modify the GVT test plan in order to improve the test results.
[0016] The foregoing is a summary and thus contains, by necessity,
simplifications, generalizations, and omissions of detail;
consequently, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way
limiting. Other aspects, inventive features, and advantages of the
present invention, as defined solely by the claims, will become
apparent in the non-limiting detailed description set forth
below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The present invention may be better understood, and its
numerous objects, features, and advantages made apparent to those
skilled in the art by referencing the accompanying drawings.
[0018] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a user providing product and
technical attributes based upon product and technical questions,
and a globalization plan generator generating a software
development plan based upon the product and technical
attributes;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a high-level flowchart showing steps taken in
providing product and technical questions to a user, receiving
product and technical attributes, and generating a globalization
plan;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing steps taken in generating a
globalization plan based upon product and technical attributes;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing steps taken in generating a
globalization verification test (GVT) plan and measuring a software
product's success based upon the plan; and
[0022] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a computing device capable of
implementing the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] The following is intended to provide a detailed description
of an example of the invention and should not be taken to be
limiting of the invention itself. Rather, any number of variations
may fall within the scope of the invention, which is defined in the
claims following the description.
[0024] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a user providing product and
technical attributes based upon product and technical questions,
and a globalization plan generator generating a software
development plan based upon the product and technical attributes.
User 100 wishes to supply a software product to global markets, and
uses software agent 110 in conjunction with globalization plan
generator 150 to generate a software globalization plan. For
example, user 100 may be developing a software product that is
targeted for the United States, China, and India. In this example,
user 100 may not be aware of the requirements to support the
software product in China and India. Software agent 110 asks
particular questions, such as the software product's target
markets, and globalization plan generator 150 generates a
globalization plan based upon user 100's answers.
[0025] Software agent 110 provides product questions 120 and
technical questions 125 to user 100. Product questions 120 may
correspond to which markets (e.g. China, India) user 100 plans to
supply the software product. Technical questions 125 may correspond
to the development tools user 100 plans to use to create the
software product or other technical related questions. For example,
software agent 110 may ask security questions such as whether the
software product stores credit card numbers or whether the software
product asks for a person's name and address.
[0026] User 100 responds to the questions and provides product
attributes 130 and technical attributes 135, which software agent
110 stores in repository store 140. Product attributes 130 may
include an international market, such as China, where the software
product is supplied. Repository store 140 may be stored on a
nonvolatile storage area, such as a computer hard drive.
Globalization plan generator 150 retrieves product attributes 130
and technical attributes 135 and begins to formulate a
globalization plan. Globalization plan generator 150 analyzes
product attributes 130, and retrieves expert information from data
store 155 regarding industry and customer trends, marketing
requirements, and local laws to specify what languages are required
for basic support and translation. For example, if product
attributes 130 specify that the software product will be supplied
to India, globalization plan generator 150 retrieves expert
information pertaining to India. Data store 155 may be stored on a
nonvolatile storage area, such as a computer hard drive.
[0027] Globalization plan generator 150 analyzes technical
attributes 135 and retrieves expert information from data store 155
to specify particular implementation techniques, such as "Unicode
must be used to comply with GB18030," which is a Chinese national
standard for encoding Chinese text. In addition, globalization plan
generator 150 identifies whether the development tools that user
100 specified will provide the specific implementation
techniques.
[0028] Globalization plan generator 150 generates globalization
plan 160 and provides it to user 100. Globalization plan 160
includes baseline requirements, language translation requirements,
technical requirements, and inherited requirements. For example,
supporting "input method editors" for inputting text is an
inherited requirement for the Asian marketplace. In the Chinese
marketplace, the requirement is further refined to state that the
software must support a "Pin Yin Input Method Editor."
Globalization plan 160 may also include links to supporting
processes, tools, education, and other resource data. In turn, user
100 reviews globalization plan 160, makes changes, and stores
updated globalization plan 165 in repository store 140.
[0029] A test team executes updated globalization plan 165. If
certain parts cannot be executed or a test fails, the test team
reports this information to globalization plan generator 150,
whereby globalization plan generator 150 generates deviations if
required. For example, a deviation may be that the software does
not allow a user to input text using the "Pin Yin Input Method
Editor." The plan data and deviation data are sent to geography
teams and deviation review teams. In turn, the geography teams and
review teams provide feedback that are incorporated into updated
globalization plan 165 (see FIG. 2 and corresponding text for
further details regarding geography teams and review teams).
[0030] Once the feedback is incorporated into further updated
globalization plan 165', further updated globalization plan 165' is
sent to globalization verification test (GVT) generator 170. GVT
generator 170 determines which test need to be performed on the
software product based upon further updated globalization plan
165', and includes the tests in a software development plan (GVT
test plan 175), which is stored in repository store 140. For
example, if a user answered "Yes" to the question "Does your
software accept the input of dates," then globalization plan
generator 150 looks up required tests. In this example, one of the
required tests is to check that dates can be input in different
formats, such as "MM/DD/YY" and "YY/MM/DD."
[0031] A centralized organization, such as a "globalization center
of competency" organization, may review GVT test plan 175 and offer
suggestions that test planners may accept or reject (see FIG. 4 and
corresponding text for further details regarding test plan
generation).
[0032] GVT test plan 175 is sent to Globalization verification test
180, which executes GVT test plan 175 and, in turn, globalization
verification test 180 records the success and failure of the tests
performed and generates scorecards 190 that includes the test
results. In turn, GVT test personnel may modify GVT test plan 175
in order to improve its results.
[0033] FIG. 2 is a high-level flowchart showing steps taken in
providing product and technical questions to a user, receiving
product and technical attributes, and generating a globalization
plan. Processing commences at 200, whereupon processing provides
user 100 with product questions (step 210). For example, the
product questions may correspond to the software product's
version/level, its target market(s), its audience, and its related
products (e.g. part of a software suite). User 100 is the same as
that shown in FIG. 1.
[0034] User 100 provides product attributes, which are received and
stored in repository store 140 at step 220. The product attributes
include answers to the product questions, and may include a
software product's version/level, target market (e.g. international
markets), customer base, and whether it is part of a larger
software suite. Repository store 140 is the same as that shown in
FIG. 1.
[0035] At step 230, processing provides user 100 with technical
questions. The technical questions may correspond to the languages
and tools that will develop the software product (e.g. C++, Java or
Eclipse or ICU), planned encodings (use of Unicode or
country-specific code pages), separation of translatable material,
and handling of cultural data. User 100 provides technical
attributes (answers to the technical questions), which are received
and stored in repository store 140 at step 240.
[0036] Using the product attributes and technical attributes
located in repository store 140, processing generates a
globalization plan for the software product and provides the
globalization plan to user 100 (pre-defined process block 250, see
FIG. 3 and corresponding text for further details). At step 260,
processing receives feedback from user 100 regarding the
globalization plan, which is stored in repository store 140 as an
updated globalization plan. Processing may record the fields that
are changed by user 100 in order to track the globalization plan's
changes.
[0037] Processing generates plan data (e.g. a translation plan,
etc), which is sent to geography team 272 at step 270. Geography
team 272 may specialize in a particular country that corresponds to
the software product's target markets. For example, if the software
product is targeted to the China market, the plan data is sent to
an organization that specializes in the China market. Geography
team 272 reviews the plan data and provides plan feedback, which is
appended to the updated globalization plan at step 275.
[0038] Processing generates deviation data (e.g. deviations to
particular requirements), which is sent to deviation team 282 at
step 280. Deviation team 282 reviews the deviation data and
provides deviation feedback, which processing appends (links) to
the updated globalization plan at step 285.
[0039] At step 290, processing generates a globalization test
verification plan and measures the software product against the
plan (pre-defined process block 290, see FIG. 4 and corresponding
text for further details). Processing ends at 295.
[0040] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing steps taken in generating a
globalization plan based upon product and technical attributes. The
globalization plan uses expert information regarding industry
trends, customer trends, marketing requirements and local laws to
specify particular support and translation requirements for
targeted countries and/or regions.
[0041] Processing commences at 300, whereupon processing retrieves
product attributes generated by a user (e.g. software planner) from
repository store 140 (step 310). At step 320, processing retrieves
expert information from data store 155 regarding industry and
customer trends, marketing requirements, and local laws, in order
to identify languages that are required for basic support and
translation. For example, if the product attributes specify that
the software product will be supplied to India, processing
retrieves expert information pertaining to India. Repository store
140 and data store 155 are the same as that shown in FIG. 1, and
may be stored on a nonvolatile storage area, such as a computer
hard drive.
[0042] At step 330, processing retrieves technical attributes from
repository store 140. At step 340, processing retrieves expert
information from data store 155 to specify particular
implementation techniques, such as "Unicode must be used to comply
with GB18030." Processing uses information about tool and/or
technology deficiencies to determine whether they prevent correct
implementation (non-compliance) at step 350. For example, Install
Shield does not permit entry of bi-directional data and, in this
example, if bi-directional data is a requirement, the user may have
to use a program other than Install Shield. Processing uses related
product information and requirements to apply additional
requirements to the software product at step 360. For example, a
high level requirement may be that software products shipping as
part of "Software Suite ABC" must be translated into Danish.
[0043] Processing generates a product globalization plan at step
370, which is provided to user 100. The product globalization plan
includes baseline requirements, technical requirements,
non-compliance remarks, and inherited requirements. The product
globalization plan may also include links to supporting processes,
tools, education, and other resource data. Processing returns at
380.
[0044] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing steps taken in generating a
globalization verification test (GVT) plan and measuring a software
product's success based upon the plan. Processing commences at 400,
whereupon processing retrieves the updated globalization plan from
repository store 140, and provides it to globalization verification
test generator 170 at step 410. GVT generator 170 determines which
tests need to be performed on the software product based upon the
updated globalization plan, and generates a test plan. At step 420,
processing receives a GVT plan and stores the plan in repository
store 140. Globalization verification test generator 170 and
repository store 140 are the same as that shown in FIG. 1.
[0045] At step 430, processing provides the GVT test plan to
globalization team 440, which reviews review the GVT test plan and
offer suggestions that test planners may accept or reject.
Globalization team 440 may be a centralized organization, such as a
"globalization center of competency" organization, that specializes
in particular countries or regions of the world. Processing
receives globalization team 440's feedback at step 450, which it
stores in repository store 140.
[0046] Processing tests the software product using the GVT test and
records successes and failures (step 460). At step 470, processing
generates scorecard 190 that includes the GVT test results. A test
developer may review scorecards 190 and modify the GVT test
accordingly. Scorecards 190 is the same as that shown in FIG. 1.
Processing returns at 480.
[0047] FIG. 5 illustrates information handling system 501, which is
a simplified example of a computer system capable of performing the
computing operations described herein. Information handling system
501 includes processor 500, which is coupled to host bus 502. A
level two (L2) cache memory 504 is also coupled to host bus 502.
Host-to-PCI bridge 506 is coupled to main memory 508, includes
cache memory and main memory control functions, and provides bus
control to handle transfers among PCI bus 510, processor 500, L2
cache 504, main memory 508, and host bus 502. Main memory 508 is
coupled to Host-to-PCI bridge 506 as well as host bus 502. Devices
used solely by host processor(s) 500, such as LAN card 530, are
coupled to PCI bus 510. Service Processor Interface and ISA Access
Pass-through 512 provides an interface between PCI bus 510 and PCI
bus 514. In this manner, PCI bus 514 is insulated from PCI bus 510.
Devices, such as flash memory 518, are coupled to PCI bus 514. In
one implementation, flash memory 518 includes BIOS code that
incorporates the necessary processor executable code for a variety
of low-level system functions and system boot functions.
[0048] PCI bus 514 provides an interface for a variety of devices
that are shared by host processor(s) 500 and Service Processor 516
including, for example, flash memory 518. PCI-to-ISA bridge 535
provides bus control to handle transfers between PCI bus 514 and
ISA bus 540, universal serial bus (USB) functionality 545, power
management functionality 555, and can include other functional
elements not shown, such as a real-time clock (RTC), DMA control,
interrupt support, and system management bus support. Nonvolatile
RAM 520 is attached to ISA Bus 540. Service Processor 516 includes
JTAG and I2C busses 522 for communication with processor(s) 500
during initialization steps. JTAG/I2C busses 522 are also coupled
to L2 cache 504, Host-to-PCI bridge 506, and main memory 508
providing a communications path between the processor, the Service
Processor, the L2 cache, the Host-to-PCI bridge, and the main
memory. Service Processor 516 also has access to system power
resources for powering down information handling device 501.
[0049] Peripheral devices and input/output (I/O) devices can be
attached to various interfaces (e.g., parallel interface 562,
serial interface 564, keyboard interface 568, and mouse interface
570 coupled to ISA bus 540. Alternatively, many I/O devices can be
accommodated by a super I/O controller (not shown) attached to ISA
bus 540.
[0050] In order to attach computer system 501 to another computer
system to copy files over a network, LAN card 530 is coupled to PCI
bus 510. Similarly, to connect computer system 501 to an ISP to
connect to the Internet using a telephone line connection, modem
555 is connected to serial port 564 and PCI-to-ISA Bridge 535.
[0051] While the computer system described in FIG. 5 is capable of
executing the processes described herein, this computer system is
simply one example of a computer system. Those skilled in the art
will appreciate that many other computer system designs are capable
of performing the processes described herein.
[0052] One of the preferred implementations of the invention is a
client application, namely, a set of instructions (program code) in
a code module that may, for example, be resident in the random
access memory of the computer. Until required by the computer, the
set of instructions may be stored in another computer memory, for
example, in a hard disk drive, or in a removable memory such as an
optical disk (for eventual use in a CD ROM) or floppy disk (for
eventual use in a floppy disk drive), or downloaded via the
Internet or other computer network. Thus, the present invention may
be implemented as a computer program product for use in a computer.
In addition, although the various methods described are
conveniently implemented in a general purpose computer selectively
activated or reconfigured by software, one of ordinary skill in the
art would also recognize that such methods may be carried out in
hardware, in firmware, or in more specialized apparatus constructed
to perform the required method steps.
[0053] While particular embodiments of the present invention have
been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in
the art that, based upon the teachings herein, that changes and
modifications may be made without departing from this invention and
its broader aspects. Therefore, the appended claims are to
encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as
are within the true spirit and scope of this invention.
Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention is solely
defined by the appended claims. It will be understood by those with
skill in the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim
element is intended, such intent will be explicitly recited in the
claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such limitation is
present. For non-limiting example, as an aid to understanding, the
following appended claims contain usage of the introductory phrases
"at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim elements.
However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply
that the introduction of a claim element by the indefinite articles
"a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced
claim element to inventions containing only one such element, even
when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more"
or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an"; the
same holds true for the use in the claims of definite articles.
* * * * *