U.S. patent application number 13/491708 was filed with the patent office on 2013-12-12 for call-in number formatting adjustment per viewing device.
This patent application is currently assigned to International Business Machines Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is Kulvir S. Bhogal, Lisa Seacat Deluca, Lydia M. Do. Invention is credited to Kulvir S. Bhogal, Lisa Seacat Deluca, Lydia M. Do.
Application Number | 20130329874 13/491708 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49715315 |
Filed Date | 2013-12-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130329874 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bhogal; Kulvir S. ; et
al. |
December 12, 2013 |
CALL-IN NUMBER FORMATTING ADJUSTMENT PER VIEWING DEVICE
Abstract
Systems and methods for initiating a telephone call on a
communication device receive, into a computerized device, an
instruction to connect a communication device to a communication
receiver using a call-in string comprising a call-in number and a
pass code. The call-in string is parsed to separate the call-in
number and the pass code, using the computerized device. A pause
indicator is identified in the call-in string, using the
computerized device. The pause indicator is formatted to a
type-specific format appropriate for the type of communication
device, using the computerized device. The call-in number is
transmitted from the computerized device to the communication
receiver. A pause is executed, using the computerized device,
according to the pause indicator formatted for a specific type of
device. The pass code is transmitted from the computerized device
to the communication receiver.
Inventors: |
Bhogal; Kulvir S.; (Fort
Worth, TX) ; Deluca; Lisa Seacat; (San Francisco,
CA) ; Do; Lydia M.; (Raleigh, NC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Bhogal; Kulvir S.
Deluca; Lisa Seacat
Do; Lydia M. |
Fort Worth
San Francisco
Raleigh |
TX
CA
NC |
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
International Business Machines
Corporation
Armonk
NY
|
Family ID: |
49715315 |
Appl. No.: |
13/491708 |
Filed: |
June 8, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
379/93.02 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 15/61 20130101;
H04M 3/382 20130101; H04M 11/00 20130101; H04W 4/24 20130101; H04M
3/56 20130101; H04M 1/27485 20200101; H04M 15/62 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
379/93.02 |
International
Class: |
H04M 11/00 20060101
H04M011/00 |
Claims
1. A method comprising: receiving, into a computerized device, an
instruction to connect a communication device to a communication
receiver using a call-in string comprising a call-in number and a
pass code; parsing said call-in string to separate said call-in
number and said pass code, using said computerized device;
identifying a pause indicator in said call-in string, using said
computerized device; formatting said pause indicator to a
type-specific format appropriate for said communication device,
using said computerized device; transmitting said call-in number
from said computerized device to said communication receiver;
executing a pause, using said computerized device, according to
said pause indicator formatted for a specific type of communication
device; and transmitting said pass code from said computerized
device to said communication receiver.
2. The method of claim 1, said identifying a pause indicator in
said call-in string comprising identifying at least one specific
character indicating to said communication device to delay
transmitting any next string of characters.
3. The method of claim 1, said pause indicator directing said
communication device to transmit said pass code after a timed delay
after transmitting said call-in number.
4. The method of claim 1, said formatting said pause indicator to a
type-specific format appropriate for said communication device
further comprising: recognizing a type of communication device
instructed to connect to said communication receiver; and changing,
as necessary, said pause indicator to a format appropriate for said
type of communication device instructed to connect to said
communication receiver.
5. The method of claim 1, said communication device being selected
from the group consisting of: Smartphones; tablets; e-books; and
combinations of above devices.
6. The method of claim 1, said call-in string comprising a first
string of characters and a second string of characters, said first
string of characters comprising a telephone number and said second
string of characters comprising said pause indicator and said pass
code.
7. The method of claim 1, said call-in number being associated with
a conference bridge and said pass code being associated with a
particular conference call.
8. A method of initiating a telephone call on a communication
device, said method comprising: recognizing, by said communication
device, as a telephone number, a first string of characters in a
collection of characters displayed on a display of said
communication device; recognizing, by said communication device, as
additional information related to said telephone number, a second
string of characters in said collection of characters displayed on
said display, said second string of characters comprising at least
a pass code; recognizing, by said communication device, a pause
indicator in said collection of characters displayed on said
display; formatting said pause indicator to a type-specific format
appropriate for use by said communication device, using said
communications device; and responsive to instructions from a user,
providing said first string of characters, said second string of
characters, and said pause indicator formatted for a specific type
of communication device to a telephone calling application of said
communication device, using said communication device.
9. The method of claim 8, said recognizing a pause indicator in
said collection of characters displayed on said display comprising
identifying at least one specific character indicating to said
communication device to delay transmitting any next string of
characters.
10. The method of claim 8, said pause indicator directing said
telephone calling application of said communication device to
transmit said second string of characters after a timed delay after
transmitting said call-in number.
11. The method of claim 8, said formatting said pause indicator to
a type-specific format appropriate for said communication device
further comprising: recognizing a type of said communication
device; and changing, as necessary, said pause indicator to a
format appropriate for said type of communication device.
12. The method of claim 8, said communication device being selected
from the group consisting of: Smartphones; tablets; e-books; and
combinations of above devices.
13. The method of claim 8, said first string of characters
comprising a telephone number and said second string of characters
comprising a pass code.
14. The method of claim 13, said telephone number being associated
with a conference bridge and said pass code being associated with a
particular conference call.
15. A method comprising: receiving from a user, into a computerized
device, a call control symbol sequence for establishing a call,
said call control symbol sequence including a plurality of symbol
strings, at least one of said symbol strings comprising a pause
indicator; parsing said call control symbol sequence to identify
said at least one symbol string comprising said pause indicator,
using said computerized device; formatting said pause indicator, as
necessary, to a type-specific format appropriate for a type of
communication device receiving said call control symbol sequence,
using said computerized device; and in response to receipt of said
call control symbol sequence and after formatting said pause
indicator, establishing said call, using said computerized device,
according to said call control symbol sequence.
16. The method of claim 15, said parsing said call control symbol
sequence to identify said at least one symbol string comprising
said pause indicator comprising: recognizing said pause indicator
in said call control symbol sequence comprising identifying at
least one specific character indicating to said communication
device to delay transmitting any next string of characters.
17. The method of claim 15, said formatting said pause indicator to
a type-specific format appropriate for said type of communication
device receiving said call control symbol sequence further
comprising: recognizing a type of said communication device; and
changing, as necessary, said pause indicator to a format
appropriate for said type of communication device.
18. The method of claim 15, said call control symbol sequence
comprising a first string of characters and a second string of
characters, said pause indicator directing a telephone calling
application of said communication device to transmit said second
string of characters after a timed delay after transmitting said
first string of characters.
19. The method of claim 15, said call control symbol sequence
comprising a first string of characters and a second string of
characters, said first string of characters comprising a telephone
number and said second string of characters comprising a pass
code.
20. The method of claim 19, said telephone number being associated
with a conference bridge and said pass code being associated with a
particular conference call.
21. A method comprising: recognizing a first string of characters
in a collection of characters displayed on a display of a
communication device as a telephone number; recognizing a second
string of characters in said collection of characters displayed on
said display as additional information related to said telephone
number; recognizing a pause indicator in said collection of
characters displayed on said display; formatting said pause
indicator to a type-specific format appropriate for use by said
communication device; and providing said first string of
characters, said second string of characters, and said pause
indicator formatted for a specific type of communication device to
a telephone calling application of said communication device.
22. The method of claim 21, said recognizing a pause indicator in
said collection of characters displayed on said display comprising
identifying at least one specific character indicating to said
communication device to delay transmitting any next string of
characters.
23. The method of claim 21, said pause indicator directing said
telephone calling application of said communication device to
transmit said second string of characters after a timed delay after
transmitting said call-in number.
24. The method of claim 21, said formatting said pause indicator to
a type-specific format appropriate for said communication device
further comprising: recognizing a type of said communication
device; and changing, as necessary, said pause indicator to a
format appropriate for said type of communication device.
25. The method of claim 21, said first string of characters
comprising a telephone number and said second string of characters
comprising a pass code.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present disclosure relates to communication devices, and
more specifically, to a system and method to adjust the format of a
call-in number according to the type of communication device.
[0002] Conventional technologies provide that a user may receive an
invitation to join a conference call by means of an email or
calendar invitation. The invitation typically includes a call-in
number and a pass code, both of which are necessary for access to
the conference call. Phone systems generally require the call-in
number and pass code to be entered separately. In most cases, the
user must pause between entry of the call-in number and the pass
code into the user's phone. With the widespread use of Smartphones,
a user may be able to enter the call-in number and the pass code by
selecting them from the email invitation or calendar entry on the
Smartphone. For example, if a user wants to call a call-in number
directly from a calendar/meeting invite they can click on the
number and their device will connect the call. However, if the
device does not understand the pause symbol, the device will not
enter the remaining characters. FIG. 1 shows an example of call-in
instructions for a meeting, including a pass code associated with
the meeting. The number 1-800-123-4567 pppp5555 means to pause for
4 seconds after the call-in number and then send the sequence 5555.
Unfortunately, each type of device uses a different symbol to
indicate a pause. A meeting organizer can resolve this problem by
manually entering on the meeting invite all of the alternatives for
every device type, as shown in FIG. 1. This does not necessarily
solve the problem, however, because the options for the pause
indicator might change over time and a user might accidentally
click on the wrong link such that the pause will not work requiring
the user to lookup the pass code and manually enter it.
SUMMARY
[0003] According to one embodiment herein, a method is disclosed.
The method comprises receiving, into a computerized device, an
instruction to connect a communication device to a communication
receiver using a call-in string comprising a call-in number and a
pass code. The call-in string is parsed to separate the call-in
number and the pass code, using the computerized device. A pause
indicator is identified in the call-in string, using the
computerized device. The pause indicator is formatted to a
type-specific format appropriate for the type of communication
device, using the computerized device. The call-in number is
transmitted from the computerized device to the communication
receiver. A pause is executed, using the computerized device,
according to the pause indicator formatted for a specific type of
device. The pass code is transmitted from the computerized device
to the communication receiver.
[0004] According to another embodiment herein, a method of
initiating a telephone call on a communication device is disclosed.
The method comprises recognizing, by the communication device, as a
telephone number, a first string of characters in a collection of
characters displayed on a display of the communication device. The
method further comprises recognizing, by the communication device,
as additional information related to the telephone number, a second
string of characters in the collection of characters displayed on
the display, the second string of characters comprising at least a
pass code. The method further comprises recognizing, by the
communication device, a pause indicator in the collection of
characters displayed on the display. The pause indicator is
formatted to a type-specific format appropriate for use by the
communication device, using the communications device. Responsive
to instructions from a user, the first string of characters, the
second string of characters, and the pause indicator formatted for
a specific type of communication device are provided to a telephone
calling application of the communication device, using the
communications device.
[0005] According to another embodiment herein, another method is
disclosed. The method comprises receiving from a user, into a
computerized device, a call control symbol sequence for
establishing a call; the call control symbol sequence includes a
plurality of symbol strings, at least one of the symbol strings
comprising a pause indicator. The received symbol sequence is
parsed to identify the at least one symbol string comprising the
pause indicator, using the computerized device. The pause indicator
is formatted, as necessary, to a type-specific format appropriate
for a type of communication device receiving the call control
symbol sequence, using the computerized device. In response to the
receipt of the call control symbol sequence and after formatting
the pause indicator, the call is established according to the call
control symbol sequence.
[0006] According to another embodiment herein, a communication
device is disclosed. The device comprises a telephone device and a
processor operatively connected to the telephone device. The
processor executes an application to receive an instruction to
connect the communication device to a communication network using a
call-in string comprising a call-in number and a pass code. The
processor parses the call-in string to separate the call-in number
and the pass code. The processor identifies a pause indicator in
the call-in string. The processor formats the pause indicator to a
type-specific format appropriate for the communication device. The
telephone device transmits the call-in number to a communication
receiver. The telephone device executes a pause according to the
pause indicator formatted for a specific type of communication
device. The telephone device transmits the pass code to the
communication receiver.
[0007] According to another embodiment herein, a communication
device is disclosed. The device comprises a display device and a
processor operatively connected to the display device. The
processor executes an application to recognize, as a telephone
number, a first string of characters in a collection of characters
displayed on the display of the communication device. The processor
recognizes, as additional information related to the telephone
number, a second string of characters in the collection of
characters and displayed on the display, the second string of
characters comprises a pause indicator and a pass code. The
processor recognizes a pause indicator in the collection of
characters displayed on the display device. The processor formats
the pause indicator to a type-specific format appropriate for use
by the communication device. The first string of characters, the
second string of characters, and the pause indicator formatted for
a specific type of communication device are provided to a telephone
calling application of the communication device, when a user has
selected to execute a call.
[0008] According to another embodiment herein, a non-transitory
computer readable storage medium is disclosed. The storage medium
is readable by a computerized device. The non-transitory computer
readable storage medium stores instructions executable by the
computerized device to perform a method. The method includes
receiving from a user a call control symbol sequence for
establishing a call. The call control symbol sequence includes a
plurality of symbol strings, at least one of the symbol strings
comprising a pause indicator. The method further includes parsing
the received symbol sequence to identify the at least one of the
symbol strings comprising the pause indicator. The pause indicator
is formatted, as necessary, to a type-specific format appropriate
for a type of communication device receiving the call control
symbol sequence. In response to the receipt of the call control
symbol sequence and after formatting the pause indicator, the call
is established according to the call control symbol sequence.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The embodiments herein will be better understood from the
following detailed description with reference to the drawings,
which are not necessarily drawn to scale and in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is an example of a conference call invitation
according to embodiments herein;
[0011] FIG. 2 is an illustration of Smartphones according to
embodiments herein;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating embodiments
herein;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating embodiments
herein;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating embodiments
herein;
[0015] FIG. 6 is representative illustrations of computer-readable
medium for carrying out the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a hardware system according
to embodiments herein;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a deployment system
according to embodiments herein;
[0018] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of an integration system
according to embodiments herein;
[0019] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of an on demand system
according to embodiments herein;
[0020] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a virtual private network
system according to embodiments herein; and
[0021] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a virtual private network
system according to embodiments herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] Described below is a method that modifies a telephone number
that includes pauses. The telephone number is modified based on the
type of device accessing the number. A Smartphone calendaring
system includes an input for an upcoming meeting that requires a
phone number and a pass code. The calendaring system determines the
type of device attempting to access the call-in number and pass
code. Accessing the call-in number comprises the pause indicator
symbol being parsed using known string manipulation techniques.
Each pause indicator symbol is then replaced with the pause
indicator specific to the type of device accessing the call-in
number (e.g. "p" --regular phone, "x" --blackberry, etc.). That is,
the pause indicator is modified for a specific format based on the
type of device. Once the formatting is complete, the user may then
interact with the number by clicking a link to dial. The device
interprets the pauses correctly, and the user is connected to the
call.
[0023] In a similar fashion, the phone number and pass code may be
delivered to a user by email or text, such as a short message
service (SMS) or multimedia messaging service (MMS). The email or
texting system determines the type of device attempting to access
the call-in number and pass code. Using known string manipulation
techniques, the pause indicator symbol is parsed from the call-in
number. Each pause indicator symbol is then replaced with the pause
indicator specific to the type of device accessing the call-in
number (e.g. "p" --regular phone, "x" --blackberry, etc.). That is,
the pause indicator is modified for a specific format based on the
type of device. Once the formatting is complete, the user may then
interact with the number by clicking a link to dial. The device
interprets the pauses correctly, and the user is connected to the
call.
[0024] In some cases, a pause is not present, but implied. For
example, in the number 18001234567x5555, the "x" may not indicate a
pause. The "x" may merely indicate that the next set of characters
(5555) is a pass code. Alternatively, some messaging/calendaring
systems have a separate input field for the pass code. Typically,
in all of these situations one (or more) pauses can be added.
According to embodiments herein, the correct pause character can be
sent based on the device dialing the number.
[0025] Modern browsers can use the user-agent string to determine
the type of device making the request to the browser. Using this
information a developer of a web application can intentionally
format the information such that it is displayed differently on
each of the different devices. The formatting is not done on the
content itself but rather on the styling of the display.
[0026] FIG. 2 shows a variety of Smartphones, each having a
different symbol to indicate a pause or break in transmission of a
telephone number. A BlackBerry phone 280 (available from Research
in Motion, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada) may use an `x`. An Android
type phone 285 (such as available from HTC Corporation, Taoyuan
City, Taiwan) may use a `.`. An iPhone 290 (available from Apple,
Inc., Cupertino, Calif., USA) may use a `,`. A regular type phone
295 may use a `p`. Disclosed is a system and method to modify a
telephone number that includes pauses based on the type of device
access the number; for example, on an iPhone 290, show 18001234567
, , , 5555, on an Android phone 285: . . . 5555, on a regular phone
295: ppp5555, and on a BlackBerry phone 280: x5555. [0027] 1. The
calendaring system includes an input for an upcoming meeting that
requires a phone number and pass code. [0028] 2. The calendar
system determines the type of device attempting to access the
call-in number. [0029] 3. The pause indicator symbol is parsed from
the call-in number using known string manipulation techniques.
[0030] 4. Each pause indicator symbol is then replaced with a pause
indicator specific to the type of device accessing the call-in
number. [0031] a) regular 295--`p` [0032] b) iPhone 290--`,` [0033]
c) Android 285--`.` [0034] d) BlackBerry 280--`x` [0035] 5. The
user may then interact with the number shown in the calendaring
system by clicking a link to dial. [0036] 6. The device interprets
the pauses correctly and the user is connected.
[0037] Alternatively, rather than the numbers being changed within
the viewable calendar/meeting invite, the numbers could be modified
by the device when the user clicks to dial any of the call-in
numbers, at which time the same steps of parsing the pause
indicator symbol and replacing with the device specific pause
indicator is performed before completing the call request.
[0038] Different participants for a conference call access the
meeting invite from different devices. Each participant views the
conference dial in information specific to his or her phone
device.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 3, a flow chart illustrating a method
according to one embodiment herein is shown. The process of FIG. 3
may be executed by a computerized device. At 300, an instruction to
connect a communication device to a communication receiver is
received. The instruction is received into the computerized device
and directs the communication device to connect to the
communication receiver using a call-in string. The call-in string
includes a call-in number and a pass code. At 310, the call-in
string is parsed by the computerized device to separate the call-in
number and the pass code. At 320, the computerized device
identifies a pause indicator in the call-in string. Then, at 330,
the computerized device formats the pause indicator to a
type-specific format appropriate for the communication device. Once
the pause indicator has been formatted to a type-specific format
appropriate for the communication device, the call-in number is
transmitted from the computerized device to the communication
receiver 340. The computerized device then executes a pause 350
according to the pause indicator formatted for a specific type of
communication device. At 360, after the pause, the pass code is
transmitted from the computerized device to the communication
receiver.
[0040] FIG. 4 illustrates a method according to another embodiment
herein. The method illustrated in FIG. 4 begins at 400 where a
first string of characters in a collection of characters displayed
on a display of the communication device is recognized as a
telephone number. At 410, a second string of characters in the
collection of characters displayed on the display is recognized as
additional information related to the telephone number. The second
string of characters includes at least a pass code. At 420, a pause
indicator is recognized in the collection of characters displayed
on the display. Then, at 430, the pause indicator is formatted to a
type-specific format appropriate for use by the communication
device. Finally, at 440, and responsive to instructions from a
user, the first string of characters, the second string of
characters, and the pause indicator formatted for a specific type
of communication device are provided to a telephone calling
application of the communication device.
[0041] FIG. 5 illustrates a method according to another embodiment
herein. According to the method disclosed, a call control symbol
sequence for establishing a call is received from a user, into a
computerized device 500. The call control symbol sequence includes
a plurality of symbol strings; at least one of the symbol strings
comprises a pause indicator. At 510, the received symbol sequence
is parsed to identify at 520 the at least one symbol string
comprising the pause indicator. Then, at 530, the pause indicator
is formatted, as necessary, to a type-specific format appropriate
for a type of communication device receiving the call control
symbol sequence. Finally, at 540, and in response to the receipt of
the call control symbol sequence and after formatting the pause
indicator, a call is established according to the call control
symbol sequence.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 2, each communication device, such as a
BlackBerry 280, Android 285, iPhone 290, or regular type phone 295
includes a telephone device, such as 282, 283, and a processor
operatively connected to the telephone device. According to an
embodiment herein, the processor executes an application to receive
an instruction to connect the communication device to a
communication network. The instruction may come from a calendar or
messaging application and directs the communication device using a
call-in string. The call-in string comprises a call-in number and a
pass code. The processor can parse the call-in string to separate
the call-in number and the pass code. The processor can then
identify a pause indicator in the call-in string. Each
communication device may have a different symbol to indicate a
pause or break in transmission of the call-in number. The processor
formats the pause indicator to a type-specific format appropriate
for the type of communication device. The telephone device 282, 283
can transmit the call-in number to a communication receiver. A
pause according to the pause indicator formatted for the specific
type of communication device is executed. Then the telephone
transmits the pass code to the communication receiver.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 2, each communication device comprises a
display device, such as 287, 288, and a processor operatively
connected to the display device. The processor executes an
application to recognize the characters displayed on the display
device 287, 288. The first string of characters in the collection
of characters displayed on the display of the communication device
is recognized as a telephone number, 1-800-123-4567. The second
string of characters in the collection of characters and displayed
on the display is recognized as additional information related to
the telephone number: . . . 5555 or , , , 5555. According to
embodiments herein, the second string of characters comprises a
pause indicator and a pass code. The processor recognizes a pause
indicator in the collection of characters displayed on the display
device. Each communication device may have a different symbol to
indicate a pause or break for transmission of the telephone number.
The processor formats the pause indicator to a type-specific format
appropriate for use by the communication device. When a user has
selected to execute a call, the processor provides the first string
of characters to a telephone calling application of the
communication device. Then, the processor provides the pause
indicator formatted for the specific type of communication device.
Finally, the processor provides the second string of characters,
which includes the pass code.
[0044] According to another embodiment herein, a non-transitory
computer readable storage medium is disclosed. The storage medium
is readable by a computerized device. The non-transitory computer
readable storage medium stores instructions executable by the
computerized device to perform a method. The method includes
receiving from a user a call control symbol sequence for
establishing a call. The call control symbol sequence includes a
plurality of symbol strings; at least one of the symbol strings
comprises a pause indicator. The received symbol sequence is parsed
to identify the at least one of the symbol strings comprising the
pause indicator. The pause indicator is formatted, as necessary, to
a type-specific format appropriate for a type of communication
device receiving the call control symbol sequence. In response to
the receipt of the call control symbol sequence and after
formatting the pause indicator, the call is established according
to the call control symbol sequence.
[0045] As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of
the systems and methods herein may be embodied as a system, method,
or computer program product. Accordingly, aspects of the present
disclosure may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an
entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident
software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and
hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a
"circuit," "module" or "system." Furthermore, aspects of the
present disclosure may take the form of a computer program product
embodied in one or more computer readable medium(s) having computer
readable program code embodied thereon.
[0046] Any combination of one or more computer readable
non-transitory medium(s) may be utilized. The computer readable
medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer
readable storage medium. The non-transitory computer storage medium
stores instructions, and a processor executes the instructions to
perform the methods described herein. A computer readable storage
medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic,
magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor
system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the
foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the
computer readable storage medium include the following: an
electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer
diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only
memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or
Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only
memory (CD-ROM) 620 (FIG. 6), an optical storage device, a magnetic
storage device 610, a "plug-and-play" memory device 630, like a USB
flash drive, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the
context of this document, a computer readable storage medium may be
any tangible medium that can contain, or store a program for use by
or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus,
or device.
[0047] A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated
data signal with computer readable program code embodied therein,
for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a
propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms, including,
but not limited to, electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable
combination thereof. A computer readable signal medium may be any
computer readable medium that is not a computer readable storage
medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program
for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system,
apparatus, or device.
[0048] Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be
transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited
to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any
suitable combination of the foregoing.
[0049] Computer program code for carrying out operations for
aspects of the present disclosure may be written in any combination
of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented
programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and
conventional procedural programming languages, such as the "C"
programming language or similar programming languages. The program
code may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the
user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the
user's computer and partly on a remote computer, or entirely on the
remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote
computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type
of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area
network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external
computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet
Service Provider).
[0050] Aspects of the present disclosure are described herein with
reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of
methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products
according to embodiments herein. It will be understood that each
block of the flowchart illustrations and/or two-dimensional block
diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations
and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program
instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided
to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose
computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to
produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via
the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing
apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts
specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or
blocks.
[0051] The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a
computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other
devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on
the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to
produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions
which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus
provide processes for implementing the functions/acts specified in
the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
[0052] A representative hardware environment for practicing the
embodiments herein is depicted in FIG. 7. This schematic drawing
illustrates a hardware configuration of an information
handling/computer system in accordance with the embodiments herein.
The system comprises at least one processor or central processing
unit (CPU) 10. The CPUs 10 are interconnected via system bus 12 to
various devices such as a random access memory (RAM) 14, read-only
memory (ROM) 16, and an input/output (I/O) adapter 18. The I/O
adapter 18 can connect to peripheral devices, such as disk units 11
and tape drives 13, or other program storage devices that are
readable by the system. The system can read the inventive
instructions on the program storage devices and follow these
instructions to execute the methodology of the embodiments herein.
The system further includes a user interface adapter 19 that
connects a keyboard 15, mouse 17, speaker 24, microphone 22, and/or
other user interface devices such as a touch screen device (not
shown) to the bus 12 to gather user input. Additionally, a
communication adapter 20 connects the bus 12 to a data processing
network 25, and a display adapter 21 connects the bus 12 to a
display device 23, which may be embodied as an output device such
as a monitor, printer, or transmitter, for example.
[0053] The flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate
the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible
implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products
according to various embodiments herein. In this regard, each block
in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment,
or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable
instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It
should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the
functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in
the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in
fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may
sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the
functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of
the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations
of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can
be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that
perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special
purpose hardware and computer instructions.
[0054] Deployment types include loading directly in the client,
server, and proxy computers via loading a storage medium such as a
CD, DVD, etc. The process software may also be automatically or
semi-automatically deployed into a computer system by sending the
process software to a central server or a group of central servers.
The process software is then downloaded into the client computers
that will execute the process software. The process software is
sent directly to the client system via e-mail. The process software
is then either detached to a directory or loaded into a directory
by a button on the e-mail that executes a program that detaches the
process software into a directory. Alternatively, the process
software is sent directly to a directory on the client computer
hard drive. When there are proxy servers, the process will select
the proxy server code, determine on which computers to place the
proxy servers' code, transmit the proxy server code, and then
install the proxy server code on the proxy computer. The process
software will be transmitted to the proxy server, and then stored
on the proxy server.
[0055] While it is understood that the process software may be
deployed by manually loading directly in the client, server and
proxy computers via loading a storage medium such as a CD, DVD,
etc., the process software may also be automatically or
semi-automatically deployed into a computer system by sending the
process software to a central server or a group of central servers.
The process software is then downloaded into the client computers
that will execute the process software. Alternatively, the process
software is sent directly to the client system via e-mail. The
process software is then either detached to a directory or loaded
into a directory by a button on the e-mail that executes a program
that detaches the process software into a directory. Another
alternative is to send the process software directly to a directory
on the client computer hard drive. When there are proxy servers,
the process will select the proxy server code, determine on which
computers to place the proxy servers' code, transmit the proxy
server code, and then install the proxy server code on the proxy
computer. The process software will be transmitted to the proxy
server, and then stored on the proxy server.
[0056] In FIG. 8, Step 100 begins the deployment of the process
software. The first thing is to determine if there are any programs
that will reside on a server or servers when the process software
is executed 101. If this is the case, then the servers that will
contain the executables are identified 209. The process software
for the server or servers is transferred directly to the servers'
storage via FTP or some other protocol, or by copying through the
use of a shared file system 210. The process software is then
installed on the servers 211.
[0057] Next, a determination is made on whether the process
software is be deployed by having users access the process software
on a server or servers 102. If the users are to access the process
software on servers, then the server addresses that will store the
process software are identified 103.
[0058] A determination is made if a proxy server is to be built 200
to store the process software. A proxy server is a server that sits
between a client application, such as a Web browser, and a real
server. It intercepts all requests to the real server to see if it
can fulfill the requests itself. If not, it forwards the request to
the real server. The two primary benefits of a proxy server are to
improve performance and to filter requests. If a proxy server is
required, then the proxy server is installed 201. The process
software is sent to the servers either via a protocol such as FTP
or it is copied directly from the source files to the server files
via file sharing 202. Another embodiment would be to send a
transaction to the servers that contained the process software and
have the server process the transaction, then receive and copy the
process software to the server's file system. Once the process
software is stored at the servers, the users via their client
computers, then access the process software on the servers and copy
to their client computers file systems 203. Another embodiment is
to have the servers automatically copy the process software to each
client and then run the installation program for the process
software at each client computer. The user executes the program
that installs the process software on his client computer 212, and
then exits the process 108.
[0059] In step 104, a determination is made whether the process
software is to be deployed by sending the process software to users
via e-mail. The set of users where the process software will be
deployed are identified together with the addresses of the user
client computers 105. The process software is sent via e-mail 204
to each of the users' client computers. The users then receive the
e-mail 205 and then detach the process software from the e-mail to
a directory on their client computers 206. The user executes the
program that installs the process software on his client computer
212, and then exits the process 108.
[0060] Lastly, a determination is made on whether to the process
software will be sent directly to user directories on their client
computers 106. If so, the user directories are identified 107. The
process software is transferred directly to the user's client
computer directory 207. This can be done in several ways such as
but not limited to sharing of the file system directories and then
copying from the sender's file system to the recipient user's file
system or alternatively using a transfer protocol such as File
Transfer Protocol (FTP). The users access the directories on their
client file systems in preparation for installing the process
software 208. The user executes the program that installs the
process software on his client computer 212, and then exits the
process 108.
[0061] The process software is integrated into a client, server,
and network environment by providing for the process software to
coexist with applications, operating systems, and network operating
systems software, and then installing the process software on the
clients and servers in the environment where the process software
will function.
[0062] The first step is to identify any software on the clients
and servers including the network operating system where the
process software will be deployed that are required by the process
software or that work in conjunction with the process software.
This includes the network operating system that is software that
enhances a basic operating system by adding networking
features.
[0063] Next, the software applications and version numbers will be
identified and compared to the list of software applications and
version numbers that have been tested to work with the process
software. Those software applications that are missing or that do
not match the correct version will be upgraded with the correct
version numbers. Program instructions that pass parameters from the
process software to the software applications will be checked to
ensure the parameter lists matches the parameter lists required by
the process software. Conversely, parameters passed by the software
applications to the process software will be checked to ensure the
parameters match the parameters required by the process software.
The client and server operating systems including the network
operating systems will be identified and compared to the list of
operating systems, version numbers, and network software that have
been tested to work with the process software. Those operating
systems, version numbers, and network software that do not match
the list of tested operating systems and version numbers will be
upgraded on the clients and servers to the required level.
[0064] After ensuring that the software, where the process software
is to be deployed, is at the correct version level that has been
tested to work with the process software, the integration is
completed by installing the process software on the clients and
servers.
[0065] In FIG. 9, Step 220 begins the integration of the process
software. The first thing is to determine if there are any process
software programs that will execute on a server or servers 221. If
this is not the case, then integration proceeds to 227. If this is
the case, then the server addresses are identified 222. The servers
are checked to see if they contain software that includes the
operating system (OS), applications, and network operating systems
(NOS), together with their version numbers, that have been tested
with the process software 223. The servers are also checked to
determine if there is any missing software that is required by the
process software 223.
[0066] A determination is made if the version numbers match the
version numbers of OS, applications, and NOS that have been tested
with the process software 224. If all of the versions match and
there is no missing required software, the integration continues in
227.
[0067] If one or more of the version numbers do not match, then the
unmatched versions are updated on the server or servers with the
correct versions 225. Additionally, if there is missing required
software, then it is updated on the server or servers 225. The
server integration is completed by installing the process software
226.
[0068] Step 227, which follows either step 221, 224, or 226,
determines if there are any programs of the process software that
will execute on the clients. If no process software programs
execute on the clients, the integration proceeds to 230 and exits.
If this not the case, then the client addresses are identified
228.
[0069] The clients are checked to see if they contain software that
includes the operating system (OS), applications, and network
operating systems (NOS), together with their version numbers, that
have been tested with the process software 229. The clients are
also checked to determine if there is any missing software that is
required by the process software 229.
[0070] A determination is made as to whether the version numbers
match the version numbers of OS, applications, and NOS that have
been tested with the process software 231. If all of the versions
match and there is no missing required software, then the
integration proceeds to 230 and exits.
[0071] If one or more of the version numbers do not match, then the
unmatched versions are updated on the clients with the correct
versions 232. In addition, if there is missing required software
then it is updated on the clients 232. The client integration is
completed by installing the process software on the clients 233.
The integration proceeds to 230 and exits.
[0072] The process software can be stored on a shared file system
accessible from one or more servers. The process software is
executed via transactions that contain data and server processing
requests that use CPU units on the accessed server. CPU units are
units of time such as minutes, seconds, hours on the central
processor of the server. Additionally, the assessed server may make
requests of other servers that require CPU units. CPU units are an
example that represents but one measurement of use. Other
measurements of use include but are not limited to network
bandwidth, memory usage, storage usage, packet transfers, complete
transactions etc. When multiple customers use the same process
software application, their transactions are differentiated by the
parameters included in the transactions that identify the unique
customer and the type of service for that customer. All of the CPU
units and other measurements of use that are used for the services
for each customer are recorded. When the number of transactions to
any one server reaches a number that begins to affect the
performance of that server, other servers are accessed to increase
the capacity and to share the workload. Likewise, when other
measurements of use such as network bandwidth, memory usage,
storage usage, etc. approach a capacity so as to affect
performance, additional network bandwidth, memory usage, storage
etc. are added to share the workload. The measurements of use used
for each service and customer are sent to a collecting server that
sums the measurements of use for each customer for each service
that was processed anywhere in the network of servers that provide
the shared execution of the process software. The summed
measurements of use units are periodically multiplied by unit costs
and the resulting total process software application service costs
are alternatively sent to the customer and or indicated on a web
site accessed by the customer, which then remits payment to the
service provider. In another embodiment, the service provider
requests payment directly from a customer account at a banking or
financial institution. In another embodiment, if the service
provider is also a customer of the customer that uses the process
software application, the payment owed to the service provider is
reconciled to the payment owed by the service provider to minimize
the transfer of payments.
[0073] The process software is shared, simultaneously serving
multiple customers in a flexible, automated fashion. It is
standardized, requiring little customization, and it is scalable,
providing capacity on demand in a pay-as-you-go model.
[0074] The process software can be stored on a shared file system
accessible from one or more servers. The process software is
executed via transactions that contain data and server processing
requests that use CPU units on the accessed server. CPU units are
units of time such as minutes, seconds, hours on the central
processor of the server. Additionally, the assessed server may make
requests of other servers that require CPU units. CPU units are an
example that represents but one measurement of use. Other
measurements of use include but are not limited to network
bandwidth, memory usage, storage usage, packet transfers, complete
transactions etc.
[0075] When multiple customers use the same process software
application, their transactions are differentiated by the
parameters included in the transactions that identify the unique
customer and the type of service for that customer. All of the CPU
units and other measurements of use that are used for the services
for each customer are recorded. When the number of transactions to
any one server reaches a number that begins to affect the
performance of that server, other servers are accessed to increase
the capacity and to share the workload. Likewise, when other
measurements of use such as network bandwidth, memory usage,
storage usage, etc. approach a capacity so as to affect
performance, additional network bandwidth, memory usage, storage
etc. are added to share the workload.
[0076] The measurements of use used for each service and customer
are sent to a collecting server that sums the measurements of use
for each customer for each service that was processed anywhere in
the network of servers that provide the shared execution of the
process software. The summed measurements of use units are
periodically multiplied by unit costs and the resulting total
process software application service costs are alternatively sent
to the customer and or indicated on a web site accessed by the
customer, which then remits payment to the service provider.
[0077] In another embodiment, the service provider requests payment
directly from a customer account at a banking or financial
institution.
[0078] In another embodiment, if the service provider is also a
customer of the customer that uses the process software
application, the payment owed to the service provider is reconciled
to the payment owed by the service provider to minimize the
transfer of payments.
[0079] In FIG. 10, Step 240 begins the On Demand process. A
transaction is created that contains the unique customer
identification, the requested service type, and any service
parameters that further specify the type of service 241. The
transaction is then sent to the main server 242. In an On Demand
environment, the main server can initially be the only server,
then, as capacity is consumed, other servers are added to the On
Demand environment.
[0080] The server central processing unit (CPU) capacities in the
On Demand environment are queried 243. The CPU requirement of the
transaction is estimated, then the servers available CPU capacity
in the On Demand environment are compared to the transaction CPU
requirement to see if there is sufficient CPU capacity available in
any server to process the transaction 244. If there is not
sufficient server CPU capacity available, then additional server
CPU capacity is allocated to process the transaction 248. If there
was already sufficient CPU capacity available, then the transaction
is sent to a selected server 245.
[0081] Before executing the transaction, a check is made of the
remaining On Demand environment to determine if the environment has
sufficient available capacity for processing the transaction. This
environment capacity consists of such things as but not limited to
network bandwidth, processor memory, storage etc. 246. If there is
not sufficient available capacity, then capacity will be added to
the On Demand environment 247. Next, the required software to
process the transaction is accessed, loaded into memory, then the
transaction is executed 249.
[0082] The usage measurements are recorded 250. The usage
measurements consist of the portions of those functions in the On
Demand environment that are used to process the transaction. The
usage of such functions as, but not limited to, network bandwidth,
processor memory, storage and CPU cycles are what is recorded. The
usage measurements are summed, multiplied by unit costs, and then
recorded as a charge to the requesting customer 251. If the
customer has requested that the On Demand costs be posted to a web
site 252, then they are posted 253.
[0083] If the customer has requested that the On Demand costs be
sent via e-mail to a customer address 254, then they are sent 255.
If the customer has requested that the On Demand costs be paid
directly from a customer account 256, then payment is received
directly from the customer account 257. The last step is to exit
the On Demand process 258.
[0084] The process software may be deployed, accessed, and executed
through the use of a virtual private network (VPN), which is any
combination of technologies that can be used to secure a connection
through an otherwise unsecured or untrusted network. The use of
VPNs is to improve security and for reduced operational costs. The
VPN makes use of a public network, usually the Internet, to connect
remote sites or users together. Instead of using a dedicated,
real-world connection such as leased line, the VPN uses "virtual"
connections routed through the Internet from the company's private
network to the remote site or employee.
[0085] The process software may be deployed, accessed, and executed
through either a remote-access or a site-to-site VPN. When using
the remote-access VPNs, the process software is deployed, accessed,
and executed via the secure, encrypted connections between a
company's private network and remote users through a third-party
service provider. The enterprise service provider (ESP) sets a
network access server (NAS) and provides the remote users with
desktop client software for their computers. The telecommuters can
then dial a toll-free number or attach directly via a cable or DSL
modem to reach the NAS and use their VPN client software to access
the corporate network and to access, download, and execute the
process software.
[0086] When using the site-to-site VPN, the process software is
deployed, accessed, and executed through the use of dedicated
equipment and large-scale encryption, which are used to connect a
company's multiple fixed sites over a public network, such as the
Internet.
[0087] The process software is transported over the VPN via
tunneling, which is the process of placing an entire packet within
another packet and sending it over a network. The protocol of the
outer packet is understood by the network and both points, called
tunnel interfaces, where the packet enters and exits the
network.
[0088] In FIGS. 11 and 12, step 260 begins the Virtual Private
Network (VPN) process. A determination is made to see if a VPN for
remote access is required 261. If it is not required, then proceed
to 262. If it is required, then determine if the remote access VPN
exists 264.
[0089] If it does exist, then proceed to 265. Otherwise, identify
the third party provider that will provide the secure, encrypted
connections between the company's private network and the company's
remote users 276. The company's remote users are identified 277.
The third party provider then sets up a network access server (NAS)
278 that allows the remote users to dial a toll-free number or
attach directly via a cable or DSL modem to access, download, and
install the desktop client software for the remote-access VPN
279.
[0090] After the remote access VPN has been built, or if it been
previously installed, the remote users can then access the process
software by dialing into the NAS or attaching directly via a cable
or DSL modem into the NAS 265. This allows entry into the corporate
network where the process software is accessed 266. The process
software is transported to the remote user's desktop over the
network via tunneling. That is, the process software is divided
into packets and each packet, including the data and protocol, is
placed within another packet 267. When the process software arrives
at the remote user's desktop, it is removed from the packets,
reconstituted, and executed on the remote users desktop 268.
[0091] A determination is made to see if a VPN for site-to-site
access is required 262. If it is not required, then proceed to exit
the process 263. Otherwise, determine if the site-to-site VPN
exists 269. If it does exist, then proceed to 272. Otherwise,
install the dedicated equipment required to establish a
site-to-site VPN 270. Then build the large scale encryption into
the VPN 271.
[0092] After the site-to-site VPN has been built, or if it had been
previously established, the users access the process software via
the VPN 272. The process software is transported to the site users
over the network via tunneling 273. That is, the process software
is divided into packets and each packet, including the data and
protocol, is placed within another packet 274. When the process
software arrives at the remote user's desktop, it is removed from
the packets, reconstituted, and executed on the site users desktop
275. Proceed to exit the process 263.
[0093] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
this disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and
"the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood
that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this
specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude
the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
[0094] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and
equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the
claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or
act for performing the function in combination with other claimed
elements as specifically claimed. The descriptions of the various
embodiments herein have been presented for purposes of
illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to
the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will
be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing
from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The
terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles
of the embodiments, the practical application or technical
improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to
enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the
embodiments disclosed herein.
* * * * *