U.S. patent application number 11/855483 was filed with the patent office on 2009-03-19 for conveyance mode aware navigation device.
Invention is credited to Kulvir Singh Bhogal, Robert Ross Peterson.
Application Number | 20090076725 11/855483 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40455465 |
Filed Date | 2009-03-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090076725 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bhogal; Kulvir Singh ; et
al. |
March 19, 2009 |
CONVEYANCE MODE AWARE NAVIGATION DEVICE
Abstract
Illustrative embodiments provide a navigation device for
determining an optimal route for a user. The navigation device
comprises a location unit capable of determining the present
position of the navigation device and a selection unit capable of
receiving user input indicating a selected destination. Further, a
memory capable of storing information for searching routes, a
receiver capable of acquiring current information comprising road,
business hour, traffic congestion patterns, conveyance mode and
time buffer information relative to the present position and the
selected destination to store in the memory and a route
identification unit capable of identifying, from among a
combination of the stored roads, business hours, traffic congestion
patterns, conveyance mode and time buffer information, an optimal
route from the present position to the selected destination. Also,
the navigation device comprises a notification unit capable of
presenting a notification of the optimal route.
Inventors: |
Bhogal; Kulvir Singh; (Fort
Worth, TX) ; Peterson; Robert Ross; (Austin,
TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
IBM CORP (YA);C/O YEE & ASSOCIATES PC
P.O. BOX 802333
DALLAS
TX
75380
US
|
Family ID: |
40455465 |
Appl. No.: |
11/855483 |
Filed: |
September 14, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
701/414 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01C 21/3492 20130101;
G01C 21/3423 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
701/210 ;
701/209; 701/211 |
International
Class: |
G01C 21/34 20060101
G01C021/34; G01S 5/00 20060101 G01S005/00; G06F 17/00 20060101
G06F017/00 |
Claims
1. A navigation device for identifying an optimal route for a user
to a destination, the navigation device comprising: a location unit
capable of determining the present position of the navigation
device; a selection unit capable of receiving user input indicating
a selected destination; a memory capable of storing information for
searching routes; a receiver capable of acquiring current
information comprising road, business hour, traffic congestion
patterns, conveyance mode and time buffer information relative to
the present position and the selected destination to store in the
memory; a route identification unit capable of identifying, from
among a combination of the stored roads, business hours, traffic
congestion patterns, conveyance mode and time buffer information,
an optimal route from the present position to the selected
destination; and a notification unit capable of presenting a
notification of the optimal route.
2. The navigation device of claim 1, wherein the route
identification unit further comprises: an elapsed time estimator;
and a comparator capable of determining when arrival time is within
predefined limits of business hours of the selected destination and
when not, using the notification unit to prompt the user to select
one of a different route, a different destination, a different time
buffer and a different conveyance mode to cause the route
identification unit to re-calculate the optimal route.
3. The navigation device of claim 1, wherein the notification unit
comprises one or more of an audio indicator, a visual indicator,
and a motion indicator.
4. The navigation device of claim 1 wherein the conveyance mode
comprises one or more of walking, public vehicle, and private
vehicle.
5. The navigation device of claim 1, wherein the receiver further
comprises capability for acquiring current information comprising
road construction indication including detours, business holidays,
traffic congestion patterns, and conveyance mode availability and
delay information.
6. A computer implemented method for determining an optimal route
to a destination, the method comprising: identifying a present
position of a navigation device; selecting the destination to form
a selected destination; acquiring current information comprising
road, business hour, traffic congestion patterns, conveyance mode
and time buffer information relative to the present position and
the selected destination; storing the acquired information in the
memory of the navigation device; identifying, from among a
combination of the stored roads, business hours, traffic congestion
patterns, conveyance mode and time buffer information, an optimal
route from the current position to the selected destination; and
notifying the user of the optimal route.
7. The computer implemented method of claim 6, wherein determining
when arrival time is not within predefined limits of business hours
of the selected destination, prompting the user to select one of a
different route, a different destination, a different time buffer
and a different conveyance mode to cause identification of a new
optimal route.
8. The computer implemented method of claim 6, wherein identifying
a present position of the navigation device further comprises use
of a global positioning satellite receiver.
9. The computer implemented method of claim 6, wherein notifying
the user of the optimal route further comprises using one or more
of an audio indicator, a visual indicator, and a motion
indicator.
10. The computer implemented method of claim 6, wherein identifying
the optimal route from the current position to the selected
destination further comprises a change in one or more of the stored
roads, business hours, traffic congestion patterns, conveyance mode
and time buffer information, and the destination.
11. A computer program product for determining an optimal route to
a destination for a user of a navigation device, the computer
program product comprising: a computer usable recordable type
medium tangibly embodying computer executable program code thereon,
the computer executable program code comprising: computer
executable program code for identifying a present position of a
navigation device; computer executable program code for selecting
the destination to form a selected destination; computer executable
program code for acquiring current information comprising road,
business hour, traffic congestion patterns, conveyance mode and
time buffer information relative to the present position and the
selected destination; computer executable program code for storing
the acquired information in a memory of the navigation device;
computer executable program code for identifying, from among a
combination of the stored roads, business hours, traffic congestion
patterns, conveyance mode and time buffer information, an optimal
route from the current position to the selected destination; and
computer executable program code for notifying the user of the
optimal route.
12. The computer program product of claim 11, computer executable
program code for identifying the optimal route further comprises:
computer executable program code for an elapsed time estimator;
computer executable program code for a comparator capable of
determining when arrival time is within predefined limits of
business hours of the selected destination and when not, using the
computer executable program code for notifying the user to prompt
the user to select one of a different route, a different
destination, a different time buffer and a different conveyance
mode; and computer executable program code for identifying a new
optimal route.
13. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the computer
executable program code for notifying further comprises computer
executable program code for one or more of an audio indicator, a
visual indicator, and a motion indicator.
14. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the computer
executable program code for selecting the conveyance mode comprises
computer executable program code for selecting one or more of
walking, public vehicle and private vehicle.
15. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the computer
executable program code for acquiring current information further
comprises computer executable program code for acquiring current
information comprising road construction indication including
detours, business holidays, traffic congestion patterns, and
conveyance mode availability and delay information.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to data processing
and providing information to a user based upon a user's present and
desired positions as determined by a navigation device. The present
invention more particularly relates to a computer implemented
method, apparatus and computer usable program product for
determining an optimal route for a user of a navigation device.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Common usage of navigational devices has allowed travelers a
greater degree of freedom and range than before. Many navigational
devices have become available to aid the traveler in route
selection between a starting place and a potential or a chosen
destination. Most of these navigational devices typically calculate
a shortest route based on time taken to reach the destination.
[0005] Other navigational device calculations consider the business
hours of destination and warn the user if the estimated time of
arrival (ETA) will be outside of the hours specified by the
destination in order to meet the open time of destination. Still
other navigational devices may add a selectable delay time to wait
for an obstacle en route to be cleared, such as when waiting for a
train to pass, to be factored into the arrival time
calculation.
[0006] Still other navigational devices have the capability to
request and receive current traffic conditions for the route in
question and to factor the traffic delay into the routing
estimation. In a similar manner, other route predictions may
include use of factors such as road repair and the use of detours
to be used in the calculation of routes.
[0007] Typically, current devices and calculations appear to be
most suited for the road traveler and focused on the traveling of
the highways and streets.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Illustrative embodiments provide a navigation device for
identifying an optimal route to a destination for a user. The
navigation device comprising a location unit, capable of
determining the present position of the navigation device, and a
selection unit, capable of receiving user input indicating a
selected destination. Further, a memory capable of storing
information for searching routes and a receiver capable of
acquiring current information comprising road, business hour,
traffic congestion patterns, conveyance mode and time buffer
information relative to the present position and the selected
destination to store in the memory. A route identification unit
capable of identifying, from among a combination of the stored
roads, business hours, traffic congestion patterns, conveyance mode
and time buffer information, an optimal route from the present
position to the selected destination; and a notification unit
capable of presenting a notification of the optimal route.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The novel features believed characteristic of the invention
are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself,
however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and
advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the
following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when
read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a pictorial representation of a network of
computer systems in accordance with illustrative embodiments;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a computer system
representative of one of the systems of FIG. 1, in accordance with
illustrative embodiments;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a computer system in
cooperation with the network of computer systems of FIG. 1 in
accordance with illustrative embodiments; and
[0013] FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a process for identifying an
optimal route to a destination in accordance with illustrative
embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0014] With reference now to the figures and in particular with
reference to FIGS. 1-2, exemplary diagrams of data processing
environments are provided in which illustrative embodiments may be
implemented. It should be appreciated that FIGS. 1-2 are only
exemplary and are not intended to assert or imply any limitation
with regard to the environments in which different embodiments may
be implemented. Many modifications to the depicted environments may
be made.
[0015] FIG. 1 depicts a pictorial representation of a network of
data processing systems in which illustrative embodiments may be
implemented. Network data processing system 100 is a network of
computers in which the illustrative embodiments may be implemented.
Network data processing system 100 contains network 102, which is
the medium used to provide communications links between various
devices and computers connected together within network data
processing system 100. Network 102 may include connections, such as
wire, wireless communication links, or fiber optic cables.
[0016] In the depicted example, server 104 and server 106 connect
to network 102 along with storage unit 108. In addition, clients
110, 112, and 114 connect to network 102. Clients 110, 112, and 114
may be, for example, personal computers or network computers. In
the depicted example, server 104 provides data, such as boot files,
operating system images, and applications to clients 110, 112, and
114. Clients 110, 112, and 114 are clients to server 104 in this
example. Client type devices may include a variety of handheld
devices such as mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDA),
personal computers with wired or wireless communications
capabilities. These devices may be connected to data processing
system 100 to exchange information in the form of pictures, sound,
video, web pages, email, and voice calls. The clients may be
special purpose or multi-purpose devices. For example, the client
may be a mobile phone, which as a multi-purpose device, is capable
of web browsing as well as well providing television, music and
games in addition to the expected voice call capabilities. Network
data processing system 100 may include additional servers, clients,
and other devices not shown.
[0017] In the depicted example, network data processing system 100
is the Internet with network 102 representing a worldwide
collection of networks and gateways that use the Transmission
Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) suite of protocols to
communicate with one another. At the heart of the Internet is a
backbone of high-speed data communication lines between major nodes
or host computers, consisting of thousands of commercial,
governmental, educational and other computer systems that route
data and messages. Of course, network data processing system 100
also may be implemented as a number of different types of networks,
such as for example, an intranet, a local area network (LAN), or a
wide area network (WAN). FIG. 1 is intended as an example, and not
as an architectural limitation for the different illustrative
embodiments.
[0018] With reference now to FIG. 2, a block diagram of a data
processing system is shown in which illustrative embodiments may be
implemented. Data processing system 200 is an example of a
computer, such as server 104 or client 110 in FIG. 1, in which
computer usable program code or instructions implementing the
processes may be located for the illustrative embodiments.
[0019] In the depicted example, data processing system 200 employs
a hub architecture including interface and memory controller hub
(interface/MCH) 202 and interface and input/output (I/O) controller
hub (interface/ICH) 204. Processing unit 206, main memory 208, and
graphics processor 210 are coupled to interface and memory
controller hub 202. Processing unit 206 may contain one or more
processors and even may be implemented using one or more
heterogeneous processor systems. Graphics processor 210 may be
coupled to the interface/MCH through an accelerated graphics port
(AGP), for example.
[0020] In the depicted example, local area network (LAN) adapter
212 is coupled to interface and I/O controller hub 204 and audio
adapter 216, keyboard and mouse adapter 220, modem 222, read only
memory (ROM) 224, universal serial bus (USB) and other ports 232,
and PCI/PCIe devices 234 are coupled to interface and I/O
controller hub 204 through bus 238, and hard disk drive (HDD) 226
and CD-ROM 230 are coupled to interface and I/O controller hub 204
through bus 240. PCI/PCIe devices may include, for example,
Ethernet adapters, add-in cards, and PC cards for notebook
computers. PCI uses a card bus controller, while PCIe does not. ROM
224 may be, for example, a flash binary input/output system (BIOS).
Hard disk drive 226 and CD-ROM 230 may use, for example, an
integrated drive electronics (IDE) or serial advanced technology
attachment (SATA) interface. A super I/O (SIO) device 236 may be
coupled to interface and I/O controller hub 204.
[0021] An operating system runs on processing unit 206 and
coordinates and provides control of various components within data
processing system 200 in FIG. 2. The operating system may be a
commercially available operating system such as Microsoft.RTM.
Windows Vista.TM. (Microsoft and Windows Vista are trademarks of
Microsoft Corporation in the United States, other countries, or
both). An object oriented programming system, such as the Java.TM.
programming system, may run in conjunction with the operating
system and provides calls to the operating system from Java.TM.
programs or applications executing on data processing system 200.
Java.TM. and all Java.TM.-based trademarks are trademarks of Sun
Microsystems, Inc. in the United States, other countries, or
both.
[0022] Instructions for the operating system, the object-oriented
programming system, and applications or programs are located on
storage devices, such as hard disk drive 226, and may be loaded
into main memory 208 for execution by processing unit 206. The
processes of the illustrative embodiments may be performed by
processing unit 206 using computer implemented instructions, which
may be located in a memory such as, for example, main memory 208,
read only memory 224, or in one or more peripheral devices.
[0023] The hardware in FIGS. 1-2 may vary depending on the
implementation. Other internal hardware or peripheral devices, such
as flash memory, equivalent non-volatile memory, or optical disk
drives and the like, may be used in addition to or in place of the
hardware depicted in FIGS. 1-2. Also, the processes of the
illustrative embodiments may be applied to a multiprocessor data
processing system.
[0024] In some illustrative examples, data processing system 200
may be generally configured with flash memory to provide
non-volatile memory for storing operating system files and/or
user-generated data. A bus system may be comprised of one or more
buses, such as a system bus, an I/O bus and a PCI bus. Of course
the bus system may be implemented using any type of communications
fabric or architecture that provides for a transfer of data between
different components or devices attached to the fabric or
architecture. A communications unit may include one or more devices
used to transmit and receive data, such as a modem or a network
adapter. A memory may be, for example, main memory 208 or a cache
such as found in interface and memory controller hub 202. A
processing unit may include one or more processors or CPUs. The
depicted examples in FIGS. 1-2 and above-described examples are not
meant to imply architectural limitations. For example, data
processing system 200 also may be a tablet computer, laptop
computer, or other form of personal computers with wired or
wireless communications capabilities. Data processing system 200
may include a variety of handheld devices such as mobile phones,
and personal digital assistants (PDA). These devices may be
connected to data processing system 100 in FIG. 1 to exchange
information in the form of pictures, sound, video, web pages,
email, and voice calls. The clients may be special purpose or
multi-purpose devices. For example, the client may be a mobile
phone, which, as a multi-purpose device, is capable of web browsing
as well as well providing television, music and games in addition
to the expected voice call capabilities.
[0025] With reference now to FIG. 3, a block diagram of a data
processing system is shown in which illustrative embodiments may be
implemented. Data processing system 300 is an example of a
computer, such as server 104 or client 110 in FIG. 1, in which
computer usable program code or instructions implementing the
processes may be located for illustrative embodiments.
[0026] In the depicted example, data processing system 300 may be a
mobile device 310 comprising microprocessor 312 connected to a
processor memory 314. Mobile device 310 may be typically configured
for installation in a vehicle or otherwise for standalone use by
connection to one or more input output devices of memory 316,
display 318, keyboard 320, CD-ROM 322, printer 324, personal
digital assistant (PDA) 326, and global positioning system (GPS)
328. Input may also be by voice command through a microphone (not
shown) as is known in the art. Mobile device 310 may prompt or
notify the user of display 318 by offering visual cues or by voice
through a speaker (not shown) as is known in the art. For example,
a combination of display 318 and keyboard 320 forms a selection
unit capable of receiving user input would allow the user to select
a destination. GPS 328 may be an example of a location unit used
for determining a present position of mobile device 310. The
display and keyboard may also be used to indicate the current
position by allowing a user to input map coordinates as an
alternative. Mobile device 310 when configured in illustrative
embodiments is therefore a navigation device.
[0027] Additionally mobile device 310 is connected by transceiver
334 to both network 102 (of FIG. 1) and cellular network 330 as an
information acquisition means. Transceiver 334 is a receiver
capable of receiving, from various sources, current information
relative to the present position and the selected destination.
Through network 102, mobile device 310 has connectivity to
information sources comprising clients 110-114 and servers 104-106
and database storage 108 of FIG. 1. The packaging format of mobile
device 310 is of no consequence to illustrative embodiments as
mobile device 310 only need be accessible to a user. Alternative
forms of mobile device 310 may comprise various forms of hand held
devices or other formats suitably accessible to a traveling
user.
[0028] Microprocessor 312 in combination with other elements of
mobile device 310 provides a route identification unit capable of
performing data processing services such as those involving
comparisons and route calculations to determine an optimal route.
Instructions 315 resident in processor memory 314 or made resident
when needed, from memory 316, control the processing of activities
of mobile device 310, in the performance of route determination
services comprising data acquisition, comparison, calculation and
notification. A route determiner may then be viewed as set of
instructions within instructions 315 relying upon comparator,
identifier, elapsed time estimator and other services within the
block of instructions 315 to determine an optimal route. The
elapsed time estimator calculates time to travel a suggested route.
The identifier includes a selection unit such as prompting via the
visual display or voice.
[0029] A notification unit typically incorporates functions of one
or more of display 318, and printer 324, but may also include sound
and vibration movement, to provide notice to the user regarding the
optimal route. Use of display 318 would not preclude use of a
flashing light to also make the user aware the route had been
identified. The user may then activate the display to see the
optimal route, as a method of reducing power of the device.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 3, mobile device 310 has access to
information through various means comprising user input or input
received through transmission medium of network 102 or cellular
network 330 as well as GPS 328.
[0031] Referencing FIG. 4, a flowchart of a process for identifying
an optimal route to a destination is depicted in accordance with
illustrative embodiments.
[0032] Process 400 may be implemented as instructions 315 of FIG.
3, in accordance with an illustrated embodiment.
[0033] Process 400 begins (step 402) with the receiving of user
input for setting preferences (step 404). The user may have been
prompted through a series of interactions to supply the preferences
or may have been requested to perform an initial setup to provide
preference information. In step 404, a user may provide various
preferences comprising date and time formats, time zone
information, time buffer amount and conveyance mode. Process 400
then acquires information with regard to current position, road
condition and availability, weather, destination, traffic
congestion, conveyance modes and time buffer (step 406). This
information may be acquired from a variety of known sources
comprising clients 110-114 or servers 104-106 through network 102,
cellular network 330, GPS 328 and other inputs including CD-ROM 322
or keyboard 320, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, either through a free
or fee basis and is used to reflect the real situation facing the
traveler.
[0034] Process 400 then stores the acquired information for later
use in route determination (step 408). The information may be
updated periodically or on request to remain relatively
current.
[0035] Process 400 then prompts the user to select a destination
(step 410). The selected destination may be a single place or one
of a collection presented, for example, a retail business having a
number of locations, and calculates a route using a combination of
the destination, the starting position, the provided preferences
and the acquired information (step 412). An estimated arrival time
at the selected destination is also calculated (step 414) for the
destination selected in step 410.
[0036] Process 400 then obtains business hour information for the
selected destination (step 416). Process 400 prompts the user to
consider filtering by the open hours of the destination (step 418).
If the data is not to be filtered by the selected destination open
hours ("no" to step 418), process 400 skips to step 422.
[0037] However, if the data is to be filtered by destination open
hours ("yes" to step 418), then filtering is performed with process
400 prompting the user to select an open business destination (step
420). The selected destination business hours are then compared to
the estimated time of arrival at the destination (step 422). Based
on the comparison, a determination is made to establish if the
estimated time of arrival is within the limits of the destination
open business hours (step 424).
[0038] If the arrival time is within the limits of the destination
open business hours ("yes" at step 424), the user may accept the
calculated route (step 426), with the process terminating
thereafter (step 428). Step 426 includes notification to the user
allowing the user to confirm or acknowledge the route provided. The
notification unit typically includes one or more of an audio
indicator, such as may be provided by a speaker, whether the output
be a sound or voice, a visual indicator using text, pictures, maps
or other indicia to indicate the route or a motion indicator, such
as simple vibration to indicate a route has been determined and the
user may then use another device, such as a printer, to examine
printed output of the route.
[0039] Returning now to step 424, if the arrival time is not within
the limits of the destination open business hours ("no" at step
424), process 400 moves to iterate though steps 430 to 436 to
prompt the user to select choices causing the recalculation of the
route. Process 400 prompts the user to select a request for a new
route (step 430) or a change in the time buffer increasing or
decreasing the buffer time period (step 432). The time buffer is
the time the user has decided is required to make a side trip, to
remain at an intermediate destination or to allow for extra time at
the destination to complete a task.
[0040] Additionally, the user has the option to change the current
mode of conveyance to meet the required time of the destination
(step 434). A conveyance mode is a mode or manner in which a user
may travel from the present position to the selected destination. A
conveyance mode may be a single mode for the entire route or may be
a combination of modes wherein a mode is selected for a particular
portion of the route travel. A conveyance mode may therefore
typically be specified broadly as being selected to comprise one or
more of walking, a public vehicle and a private vehicle. Vehicle is
not limited to automobile but includes all means of moving a person
other than by walking.
[0041] If a conveyance mode applies to a portion of the route, the
portion would be highlighted, may be specified by coordinates, or
may otherwise be indicated. For example, if the traffic is
congested and surface travel may not provide the desired result,
the user may select a conveyance mode of "subway" if available to
meet the target time at the destination. Changes made to the
conveyance mode also take into account associated timing and delay
variations. For example, if walking was chosen in place of a bus
conveyance, due to traffic situations, the timing of the walk would
be considered in the calculation of the arrival time. In a similar
manner if the bus had been selected in place of an initial walking
conveyance, but there were traffic congestion issues relative to
the bus, a delay factor would be added into the calculations.
[0042] Additionally, in response to the prompt from process 400,
the user may alter the destination to a different location or a
different instance of the multiple retail locations mentioned
earlier (step 436). For example, the destination may be changed
from the closest restaurant location to one that has hours of
business better meeting the needs of the user. A change in any one
of the just mentioned parameters alters the route criteria causing
process 400 to return to step 412 to recalculate the route. If no
changes occur during steps 430 to 436, the route may also be
recalculated without change, due to updates in the stored
information.
[0043] Illustrative embodiments provide the capability to
selectively change the conveyance mode in response to changing
conditions or to meet predetermined criteria of the selected
destination. Adding a capability to select a conveyance mode from a
choice of conveyance modes provides another parameter, available to
a user, with which to better determine an optimal route to a
selected destination for a user. For example, conveyance mode
selection no longer constrains the user to a single mode, typically
that of an automobile on a street.
[0044] The invention can take the form of an entirely hardware
embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment
containing both hardware and software elements. In a preferred
embodiment, the invention is implemented in software, which
includes but is not limited to firmware, resident software,
microcode, etc.
[0045] Furthermore, the invention can take the form of a computer
program product accessible from a computer-usable or
computer-readable medium providing program code for use by or in
connection with a computer or any instruction execution system. For
the purposes of this description, a computer-usable or computer
readable medium can be any tangible apparatus that can contain,
store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by
or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus,
or device.
[0046] The medium can be an electronic, magnetic, optical,
electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system (or apparatus or
device) or a propagation medium. Examples of a computer-readable
recordable type medium include a semiconductor or solid state
memory, magnetic tape, a removable computer diskette, a random
access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a rigid magnetic
disk and an optical disk. Current examples of optical disks include
compact disk-read only memory (CD-ROM), compact disk-read/write
(CD-R/W) and DVD.
[0047] A data processing system suitable for storing and/or
executing program code will include at least one processor coupled
directly or indirectly to memory elements through a system bus. The
memory elements can include local memory employed during actual
execution of the program code, bulk storage, and cache memories
which provide temporary storage of at least some program code in
order to reduce the number of times code must be retrieved from
bulk storage during execution.
[0048] Input/output or I/O devices (including but not limited to
keyboards, displays, pointing devices, etc.) can be coupled to the
system either directly or through intervening I/O controllers.
[0049] Network adapters may also be coupled to the system to enable
the data processing system to become coupled to other data
processing systems or remote printers or storage devices through
intervening private or public networks. Modems, cable modem and
Ethernet cards are just a few of the currently available types of
network adapters.
[0050] The description of the present invention has been presented
for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended
to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed.
Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art. The embodiment was chosen and described
in order to best explain the principles of the invention, the
practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in
the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with
various modifications as are suited to the particular use
contemplated.
* * * * *