U.S. patent application number 13/555516 was filed with the patent office on 2012-11-15 for dynamic support of multiple message formats.
Invention is credited to Anil Kumar Annadata, Sanjeev Kumar, Wai H. Pak, Yu Jen Wu.
Application Number | 20120290671 13/555516 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38429723 |
Filed Date | 2012-11-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120290671 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pak; Wai H. ; et
al. |
November 15, 2012 |
DYNAMIC SUPPORT OF MULTIPLE MESSAGE FORMATS
Abstract
A method, system, computer system and computer program product
to enable a single interface to be used to prepare and present
messages in a variety of different formats. For example, the single
interface can be used to prepare, receive or display messages in
different languages, such as English or Japanese, which require
different character sets. Furthermore, the single interface
supports preparing, sending, and receiving messages in multiple
text formats, such as plain text, rich text, and Multiple Internet
Mail Extension (MIME) format. A message can be received in a native
format, and a format for providing a response to the message can be
dynamically selected. The response is provided in the
dynamically-selected format.
Inventors: |
Pak; Wai H.; (Hercules,
CA) ; Kumar; Sanjeev; (San Mateo, CA) ;
Annadata; Anil Kumar; (Milpitas, CA) ; Wu; Yu
Jen; (San Mateo, CA) |
Family ID: |
38429723 |
Appl. No.: |
13/555516 |
Filed: |
July 23, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10400895 |
Mar 27, 2003 |
8230112 |
|
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13555516 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
709/206 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 67/2823 20130101;
H04L 51/066 20130101; H04L 67/28 20130101; H04L 67/2842
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
709/206 |
International
Class: |
G06F 15/16 20060101
G06F015/16 |
Claims
1. A method comprising: receiving a message in a native format;
dynamically selecting a second format for providing a response to
the message, wherein the response comprises data in an independent
format; and providing the response in the second format.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/400,895, entitled "Dynamic Support of
Multiple Message Formats" filed Mar. 27, 2003 and naming Wai H.
Pak, Anil Kumar Annadata, Sanjeev Kumar, and Yu Jen Wu as the
inventors. This application is assigned to Siebel Systems, Inc.,
the assignee of the present invention, and is hereby incorporated
by reference in its entirety and for all purposes as if completely
and fully set forth herein.
[0002] Portions of this patent application contain materials that
are subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no
objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent
document, or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and
Trademark Office file or records, but otherwise reserves all
copyright rights whatsoever.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] This invention relates to messaging systems, and more
particularly, to supporting multiple message formats in a single
user interface.
[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0006] In a 24.times.7 international business environment,
electronic messaging provides a convenient way for companies to
communicate with customers all over the globe. Currently, many
companies have dedicated e-mail inboxes defined for specific
business areas. Often, employees called agents are assigned to poll
and manage the support requests from customers for one or more
dedicated e-mail inboxes, as well as from their individual agent
inboxes. With customer support centers handling very large numbers
of customer support requests daily, increasing the efficiency of
each agent in responding to each customer request by only seconds
can produce enormous cost savings for the customer support
center.
[0007] To provide international support, companies must be able to
communicate with customers using a variety of electronic messaging
systems, languages, and formats. Even within a single messaging
system, messages can be sent and received having many different
formats. For example, common electronic mail formats include plain
text, rich text, and hypertext markup language (HTML). In addition,
a message may be communicated in one language, such as Japanese,
requiring a different character set for display than the default
configuration for the recipient, who may, for example, use English
as a default language. Preserving the original format of a message
can be valuable in formulating a response to the message.
[0008] If a company wishes to implement a customer support center
where agents can communicate using multiple messaging systems,
typically the company must purchase different software products to
handle each messaging system because of the different communication
protocols involved. Because different products must be purchased,
agents must learn to use a different user interface for each
messaging system. Efficiency of an agent typically degrades when he
or she must remember different user interfaces for communicating
with customers via different messaging systems.
[0009] Thus, it is desirable to enable customer service agents to
communicate with customers in a variety of electronic message
formats from within a single user interface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention enables a single interface to be used
to prepare and present messages in a variety of different formats.
For example, the single interface can be used to prepare, receive
or display messages in different languages, such as English or
Japanese, which require different character sets. Furthermore, the
single interface supports preparing, sending, and receiving
messages in multiple text formats, such as plain text, rich text,
and Multiple Internet Mail Extension (MIME) format.
[0011] In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a message in
a native format, dynamically selecting a format for providing a
response to the message, and providing the response in the
dynamically-selected format. The response can be provided
automatically,
[0012] The independent format is independent of a character set or
language, while the native format can be in a given character set
or language. The method can further include including a
pre-formulated answer in the response, wherein the pre-formulated
answer is provided in the native format as part of the
response.
[0013] In another embodiment, a system includes receiving means for
receiving a message in a native format, selecting means for
dynamically selecting a format for providing a response to the
message, and providing means for providing the response in the
dynamically-selected format. The system can further include
including means for including a pre-formulated answer in the
response, wherein the pre-formulated answer is provided in the
native format as part of the response.
[0014] In yet another embodiment, a system includes a receiving
module to receive a message in a native format, a selecting module
to dynamically select a format for providing a response to the
message, and a providing module to provide the response in the
dynamically-selected format. The system can further include an
including module for including a pre-formulated answer in the
response, wherein the pre-formulated answer is provided in the
native format as part of the response.
[0015] In another embodiment, a computer system includes a
processor and a memory configured to store instructions. The
instructions include receiving instructions to receive a message in
a native format, selecting instructions to dynamically select a
format to provide a response to the message, and providing
instructions to provide the response in the dynamically-selected
format. The instructions can further comprise including
instructions for including a pre-formulated answer in the response,
wherein the pre-formulated answer is provided in the native format
as part of the response.
[0016] In yet another embodiment, a computer program product
includes a computer-readable medium to store instructions. The
instructions include receiving instructions to receive a message in
a native format, selecting instructions to dynamically select a
format to provide a response to the message, and providing
instructions to provide the response in the dynamically-selected
format. The instructions can further comprise including
instructions for including a pre-formulated answer in the response,
wherein the pre-formulated answer is provided in the native format
as part of the response.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The present invention may be better understood, and its
numerous objectives, features and advantages made apparent to those
skilled in the art by referencing the accompanying drawings.
[0018] FIG. 1 shows an example embodiment of a system to provide a
single interface to present messages in a variety of different
formats.
[0019] FIG. 2 shows an example data flow for receiving a message in
the system of FIG. 1.
[0020] FIG. 3 shows an example data flow for responding for a
request to view the message received in the data flow of FIG.
2.
[0021] FIGS. 4A and 4B, collectively referred to as FIG. 4, show an
example data flow for sending a response to the message received in
the data flow of FIG. 2.
[0022] FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of the data flow for providing a
response to a message.
[0023] FIG. 6 shows an example of a networking environment in which
the present invention can operate.
[0024] FIG. 7 shows an example of a computer system that can be
used to operate the present invention.
[0025] The use of the same reference symbols in different drawings
indicates similar or identical items.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] For a thorough understanding of the subject invention, refer
to the following Detailed Description, including the appended
Claims, in connection with the above-described Drawings.
[0027] References in the specification to "one embodiment" or "an
embodiment" mean that a particular feature, structure, or
characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is
included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The
appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" in various places in
the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same
embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually
exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features are
described that may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by
others. Similarly, various requirements are described that may be
requirements for some embodiments but not other embodiments.
Introduction
[0028] The present invention provides a method, system, computer
system, and computer program product to receive a message in a
native format, dynamically select a format for providing a response
to the message, and provide the response in the selected format.
One of skill in the art will understand that messages can include
e-mail, web chat messages, short messaging service messages, and
other forms of text messaging. The native format of the message can
be, for example, determined by the environment in which the message
was prepared.
[0029] The present invention can provide a response in the native
format of the original message or in another format, such as a
format used to prepare the response. The format of the response in
which the response is to be displayed can be dynamically selected
when the response is to be presented.
[0030] The response can be generated automatically or prepared by a
user. The response can include data in an independent format that
can be interpreted and displayed by a single user interface. For
example, the response can include a pre-formulated answer to a
question posed in the original message, and the pre-formulated
answer can be stored in a format independent of any character set
or language. The independent format need not correspond to either
the native format or the format used to prepare the response. The
response is provided in the dynamically-selected format.
[0031] FIG. 1 shows an example embodiment of a system 100 that
provides a single interface to present messages in a variety of
different formats. Shown as external to system 100 are a message
client 105 used to prepare a message to be sent and a message
server 110 to deliver the message to the recipient. In one
embodiment, message client 105 is equivalent to an e-mail client,
such as a Microsoft Outlook e-mail client, and message server 110
is equivalent to an e-mail server, such as Microsoft Outlook
Exchange e-mail server. One of skill in the art will also
understand that the functionality of message client 105 and message
server 110 may be included within system 100, although this
functionality is not a requirement for operation of the
invention.
[0032] Shown within system 100 is application program server 120.
Application program server 120 and application program client 125
may provide, for example, a customer service application to support
service requests from customers. Application program server 120 is
capable of obtaining messages from message server 110 and ensuring
that the messages can be displayed in a variety of formats. In the
embodiment shown in FIG. 1, application program server 120 includes
inbound communication manager 130, which communicates directly with
message server 110 to obtain the messages. In one embodiment,
inbound communication manager 130 operates in conjunction with a
channel driver (not shown) communicating via a communication
application programming interface (API), also not shown. The
channel driver listens to the message channel and detects messages
arriving at a given message server. This channel driver provides
information about incoming messages to inbound communication
manager 130 and is described in further detail in application Ser.
No. 09/823,769 (attorney docket M-11527 US, client reference
SIEB061/US), filed on Mar. 31, 2001, entitled "Configurable
Media-Independent Server," and naming Anil K. Annadata and Mingte
Chen as inventors, the application being incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety.
[0033] Messages are displayed to a user, such as a customer service
agent, via application program client 125. In an alternative
embodiment, the functionality of message client 105 can be provided
within application program client 125.
[0034] System 100 also includes format analyzer 140, format
converter 150, and message viewer 170. One of skill in the art will
recognize that the functionality provided by each element shown can
be provided by one or more elements arranged in a variety of
architectures. For example, inbound communication manager 130 may
be a module outside, but in communication with, application program
server 120. Similarly, format analyzer 140, and/or format converter
150 may be modules within application program server 120. In the
embodiment shown, application program client 125 can communicate
with message viewer 170 to receive messages to display.
Alternatively, messages between message viewer 170 and application
program client 125 may be communicated through application program
server 120, or message viewer 170 may be a module within
application program client 125.
[0035] Format analyzer 140 analyzes a message received to determine
the format of the message, and format converter 150 converts the
message to an independent format to be stored in message database
160. In one embodiment, the independent format is Unicode
Transformation Format (UTF) 16. Unicode is a 16-bit encoding for
characters that provides a unique number for every character
commonly used in text interchange throughout the world, independent
of platform, program, and language. Unicode values include two
bytes, rather than one, to represent each character.
[0036] A codepage is a list of selected character codes in a
certain order. Codepages are usually defined to support specific
languages or groups of languages that share common writing systems.
The order of the character codes in a codepage allows the system to
provide the appropriate character code to an application when a
user presses a key on the keyboard. When a new codepage is loaded
into the computer system memory, different character codes are
provided to the application. For example, typically a different
codepage is loaded when processing Japanese characters than the
codepage loaded for English characters.
[0037] FIG. 2 shows an example data flow for receiving a message in
the system of FIG. 1. In action 2.1, message client 105 is used to
send an original message 112 to message server 110. In action 2.2,
inbound communication manager 130 obtains original message 112 from
message server 110. In action 2.3, application program server 120
obtains original message 112 from inbound communication manager 130
and provides original message 112 to format analyzer 140. In action
2.4, format analyzer 140 analyzes the message to determine the
native format of the message. Native format 142 represents an
indicator of the native format of the message; for example, native
format 142 might indicate that the original message was written
using a rich text format in a Japanese character set. In action
2.5, format analyzer 140 provides original message 112 and native
format 142 to format converter 150.
[0038] In action 2.6, format converter 150 uses native format 142
to convert original message 112 to an independent format, with the
independent format taking form as converted message 152.
[0039] In action 2.7, format converter provides original message
112 and converted message 152, along with the native format 142 of
the original message 112, to application program server 120. In
action 2.8, application program server 120 stores original message
112 and converted message 152, along with the native format 142 of
the original message 112, in message database 160. An association
is made between the original message and its native format as well
as with the converted form of the message. One of skill in the art
will understand that such an association can be made in various
ways, such as by adding a record to a database relationship table
for a relationship between associated data records.
[0040] FIG. 3 shows an example data flow for responding to a
request to view the message received in the data flow of FIG. 2. In
action 3.1, a user of application program client 125 sends a
request to view message 302 to application program server 120. For
example, a customer service agent may open the message, which
describes a problem encountered by a user. In action 3.2,
application program server 120 retrieves converted message 152 and
native format 142 from message database 160.
[0041] In action 3.3, application program server 120 dynamically
selects a format for displaying the message. In the example shown,
application program server 120 dynamically selects to provide the
message in native format 142. Alternatively, application program
server 120 could select other formats, such as a default format for
the customer service agent reading the message. In action 3.4,
application program server 120 provides converted message 152 and
the selected format, in this case native format 142, to message
viewer 170 for display. In action 3.5, message viewer 170 causes
converted message 152, stored in the independent format, to be
displayed in native format 142 via application program client
125.
[0042] FIGS. 4A and 4B, collectively referred to as FIG. 4, show an
example data flow for sending a response to the message received in
the data flow of FIG. 2. In action 4.1, application program client
125 is used to prepare an original response 412, for example, as a
response to an original message received from a customer. In action
4.2, the response is sent to application program server 120. As an
alternative to actions 4.1 and 4.2, a response can be automatically
generated by application program server 120. For example, messages
having certain content, such as a frequently asked question, may
have pre-formulated responses that can be automatically provided
without the need to involve a customer service agent.
[0043] When the response is determined or prepared, in action 4.3,
the response is provided to format analyzer 140, which analyzes the
format of the response in action 4.4. In action 4.5, the original
response 412 and response format 442 are provided to format
converter 150. In action 4.6, the original response 412 is
converted to an independent format, which takes form as converted
response 452. In action 4.7, the original response 412, converted
response 452, and response format 442 are provided by format
converter 150 to application program server 120. In action 4.8, the
original response 412, converted response 452, and response format
442 are stored by application program server 120 in message
database 160. The response data are associated with the original
message data such that data about the original message are
available when processing the response. For example, an association
can be made between original message 112 and original response
412.
[0044] FIG. 4B shows continuation of the activity for the response
after the response is prepared and data about the response are
stored. In action 4.9, after storing the response data in message
database 160, application program server 120 dynamically selects a
format in which to provide the response message to the sender of
the original message. In this example, assume that the response is
to be provided in a format matching that of the original message to
which the response serves as a reply. In action 4.10, application
program server 120 retrieves the native format 142 of the original
message 112, as well as converted response 452. Retrieval of the
data uses the association established with original message 112
when original response 412 data are stored.
[0045] In action 4.11, application program server 120 provides
converted response 452 in native format 142 to format converter
150, which provides a formatted response 422 in action 4.12 to
application program server 120. In action 4.13, application program
server 120 then sends formatted response 422 to message server 110.
When the user opens the e-mail response, message server 110 sends
formatted response 422 in action 4.14 to message client 105. In
action 4.15, message client 105 displays the response in the native
format 142 of original message 112.
[0046] FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of the data flow for providing a
response to a message. In "Obtain Response to Message" step 510, a
response to the message is obtained. As described above with
reference to FIG. 4A actions 4.1 and 4.2, the response may be
automatically generated or prepared by a customer service agent
using application program client 125. In "Determine Format to Send
Response" step 520, a format in which to provide the response is
determined In one embodiment, responses may be formatted in
accordance with the format of the original message. Alternatively,
responses may be formatted as originally prepared by the agent, in
a configurable default format, or in a different format altogether
selected by a user or by logic within application program server
120.
[0047] At "Format of Original Message" decision point 530, if the
selected format is to match the format of the original message, the
format of the original message is retrieved in "Retrieve Format of
Original Message" step 540. If another format is selected, control
proceeds directly to "Provide Response in Selected Format" step
550. In "Provide Response in Selected Format" step 550, the
response is provided in the selected format.
[0048] The above-described embodiments can be implemented using a
variety of computer systems and architectures. The following
section describes an example computing and network environment in
which the present invention can be practiced.
An Example Computing and Network Environment
[0049] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a network environment
in which a system according to the present invention may be
practiced. As is illustrated in FIG. 6, network 600, such as a
private wide area network (WAN) or the Internet, includes a number
of networked servers 610(1)-(N) that are accessible by client
computers 620(1)-(N). Communication between client computers
620(1)-(N) and servers 610(1)-(N) typically occurs over a publicly
accessible network, such as a public switched telephone network
(PSTN), a DSL connection, a cable modem connection or large
bandwidth trunks (e.g., communications channels providing T1 or OC3
service) or wireless link. Client computers 620(1)-(N) access
servers 610(1)-(N) through, for example, a service provider. This
might be, for example, an Internet Service Provider (ISP) such as
America On-Line.TM., Prodigy.TM., CompuServe.TM. or the like.
Access is typically had by executing application specific software
(e.g., network connection software and a browser) on the given one
of client computers 620(1)-(N).
[0050] One or more of client computers 620(1)-(N) and/or one or
more of servers 610(1)-(N) may be, for example, a computer system
of any appropriate design, in general, including a mainframe, a
mini-computer or a personal computer system. Such a computer system
typically includes a system unit having a system processor and
associated volatile and non-volatile memory, one or more display
monitors and keyboards, one or more diskette drives, one or more
fixed disk storage devices and one or more printers. These computer
systems are typically information handling systems which are
designed to provide computing power to one or more users, either
locally or remotely. Such a computer system may also include one or
a plurality of I/O devices (i.e., peripheral devices) which are
coupled to the system processor and which perform specialized
functions. Examples of I/O devices include modems, sound and video
devices and specialized communication devices. Mass storage devices
such as hard disks, CD-ROM drives and magneto-optical drives may
also be provided, either as an integrated or peripheral device. One
such example computer system, discussed in terms of client
computers 620(1)-(N), is shown in detail in FIG. 6.
[0051] FIG. 7 depicts a block diagram of a computer system 710
suitable for implementing the present invention, and example of one
or more of client computers 620(1)-(N). Computer system 710
includes a bus 712 which interconnects major subsystems of computer
system 710 such as a central processor 714, a system memory 716
(typically RAM, but which may also include ROM, flash RAM, or the
like), an input/output controller 718, an external audio device
such as a speaker system 720 via an audio output interface 722, an
external device such as a display screen 724 via display adapter
726, serial ports 728 and 730, a keyboard 732 (interfaced with a
keyboard controller 733), a storage interface 734, a floppy disk
drive 736 operative to receive a floppy disk 738, and a CD-ROM
drive 740 operative to receive a CD-ROM 742. Also included are a
mouse 746 (or other point-and-click device, coupled to bus 712 via
serial port 728), a modem 747 (coupled to bus 712 via serial port
730) and a network interface 748 (coupled directly to bus 712).
[0052] Bus 712 allows data communication between central processor
714 and system memory 716, which may include both read only memory
(ROM) or flash memory (neither shown), and random access memory
(RAM) (not shown), as previously noted. The RAM is generally the
main memory into which the operating system and application
programs are loaded and typically affords at least 66 megabytes of
memory space. The ROM or flash memory may contain, among other
code, the Basic Input-Output system (BIOS) which controls basic
hardware operation such as the interaction with peripheral
components. Applications resident with computer system 710 are
generally stored on and accessed via a computer readable medium,
such as a hard disk drive (e.g., fixed disk 744), an optical drive
(e.g., CD-ROM drive 740), floppy disk unit 736 or other storage
medium. Additionally, applications may be in the form of electronic
signals modulated in accordance with the application and data
communication technology when accessed via network modem 747 or
interface 748.
[0053] Storage interface 734, as with the other storage interfaces
of computer system 710, may connect to a standard computer readable
medium for storage and/or retrieval of information, such as a fixed
disk drive 744. Fixed disk drive 744 may be a part of computer
system 710 or may be separate and accessed through other interface
systems. Many other devices can be connected such as a mouse 746
connected to bus 712 via serial port 728, a modem 747 connected to
bus 712 via serial port 730 and a network interface 748 connected
directly to bus 712. Modem 747 may provide a direct connection to a
remote server via a telephone link or to the Internet via an
internet service provider (ISP). Network interface 748 may provide
a direct connection to a remote server via a direct network link to
the Internet via a POP (point of presence). Network interface 748
may provide such connection using wireless techniques, including
digital cellular telephone connection, general packet radio service
(GPRS) connection, digital satellite data connection or the
like.
[0054] Many other devices or subsystems (not shown) may be
connected in a similar manner (e.g., bar code readers, document
scanners, digital cameras and so on). Conversely, it is not
necessary for all of the devices shown in FIG. 7 to be present to
practice the present invention. The devices and subsystems may be
interconnected in different ways from that shown in FIG. 7. The
operation of a computer system such as that shown in FIG. 7 is
readily known in the art and is not discussed in detail in this
application. Code to implement the present invention may be stored
in computer-readable storage media such as one or more of system
memory 716, fixed disk 744, CD-ROM 742, or floppy disk 738.
Additionally, computer system 710 may be any kind of computing
device, and so includes personal data assistants (PDAs), network
appliance, X-window terminal or other such computing device.
Computer system 710 also supports a number of Internet access
tools, including, for example, an HTTP-compliant web browser having
a JavaScript interpreter.
[0055] Advantages of the present invention are many. The invention
allows companies to communicate with customers using a variety of
electronic messaging systems, languages, and formats using a single
user interface for agents. Messages can be communicated in one
language, such as Japanese, requiring a different character set for
display than the default configuration for the recipient, who may,
for example, use English as a default language. The original format
of a message is preserved and can be used in formulating a response
to the message. The format of a response can be dynamically
selected in accordance with needs of the business organization.
Pre-formulated answers to requests can be automatically provided in
the native format used by a user in sending the original message,
in a specified default format, or in another format determined to
be suitable for a particular situation.
Other Embodiments
[0056] The foregoing describes an embodiment wherein some
components are contained within other components (e.g., inbound
communication manager 130 within application server program 120 in
FIG. 1). It is to be understood that such depicted architectures
are merely examples; in fact, many other architectures can be
implemented that achieve the same functionality. Any arrangement of
components to achieve the same functionality is effectively
"associated" such that the desired functionality is achieved.
[0057] The foregoing detailed description has set forth various
embodiments of the present invention via the use of block diagrams,
flowcharts, and examples. It will be understood by those within the
art that each block diagram component, flowchart step, operation
and/or component illustrated by the use of examples can be
implemented, individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of
hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof.
[0058] The present invention has been described in the context of
fully functional computer systems; however, those skilled in the
art will appreciate that the present invention is capable of being
distributed as a program product in a variety of forms, and that
the present invention applies equally regardless of the particular
type of signal bearing media used to actually carry out the
distribution. Examples of signal bearing media include recordable
media such as floppy disks and CD-ROM, transmission type media such
as digital and analog communications links, as well as media
storage and distribution systems developed in the future.
[0059] The above-discussed embodiments may be implemented by
software modules that perform certain tasks. The software modules
discussed herein may include script, batch, or other executable
files. The software modules may be stored on a machine-readable or
computer-readable storage medium such as a disk drive. Storage
devices used for storing software modules in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention may be magnetic floppy disks, hard
disks, or optical discs, such as CD-ROMs or CD-Rs, for example. A
storage device used for storing firmware or hardware modules in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention may also include a
semiconductor-based memory, which may be permanently, removably or
remotely coupled to a microprocessor/memory system. Thus, the
modules may be stored within a computer system memory to configure
the computer system to perform the functions of the module. Other
new and various types of computer-readable storage media may be
used to store the modules discussed herein.
[0060] The above description is intended to be illustrative of the
invention and should not be taken to be limiting. Those skilled in
the art will readily implement the steps necessary to provide the
structures and the methods disclosed herein, and will understand
that the process parameters and sequence of steps are given by way
of example only and can be varied to achieve the desired structure
as well as modifications that are within the scope of the
invention. Variations and modifications of the embodiments
disclosed herein can be made based on the description set forth
herein, without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0061] Consequently, the invention is intended to be limited only
by the scope of the appended claims, giving full cognizance to
equivalents in all respects.
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