U.S. patent application number 15/057267 was filed with the patent office on 2016-07-14 for generation of usage tips.
The applicant listed for this patent is INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Swaminathan Balasubramanian, Ravi P. Bansal, Rajib Bhattacharya, Sandip D. Mahajan.
Application Number | 20160203005 15/057267 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56367644 |
Filed Date | 2016-07-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160203005 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Balasubramanian; Swaminathan ;
et al. |
July 14, 2016 |
GENERATION OF USAGE TIPS
Abstract
One or more processors monitor usage of an application on a
first computing device. The one or more processors determine
whether the usage of a feature of the application on the first
computing device was successful. Responsive to determining that the
usage of the feature of the application on the first computing
device was not successful, the one or more processors create a
usage tip associated with the feature of the application.
Inventors: |
Balasubramanian; Swaminathan;
(Troy, MI) ; Bansal; Ravi P.; (Tampa, FL) ;
Bhattacharya; Rajib; (Kolkata, IN) ; Mahajan; Sandip
D.; (Nagpur, IN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION |
Armonk |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
56367644 |
Appl. No.: |
15/057267 |
Filed: |
March 1, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14595677 |
Jan 13, 2015 |
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15057267 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
707/722 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/14 20130101; G06F
9/453 20180201; G06F 16/24575 20190101; G06F 3/04895 20130101; G06F
16/248 20190101; G06F 3/04892 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06F 9/44 20060101
G06F009/44; G06F 17/30 20060101 G06F017/30; G06F 3/14 20060101
G06F003/14 |
Claims
1. A method for creating a usage tip, comprising the steps of:
monitoring, by one or more processors, usage of an application on a
first computing device; determining, by one or more processors, one
or more skills associated with a user based on referencing one or
more tag repositories in order to determine all tags associated
with a profile of the user on an employer website; determining, by
one or more processors, a profession associated with the user of
the first computing device based on comparing the tags associated
with the profile of the user with a tag database, wherein the tag
database includes one or more tags and one or more corresponding
professions; determining, by one or more processors, one or more
usage tips for the application to display to the user based on
referencing a usage tip database, wherein the usage tip database
includes one or more usage tips and one or more corresponding
professions; displaying, by one or more processors, the determined
one or more usage tips on the first computing device.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally to usage tips, and
more particularly to generating usage tips for a relevant feature
or features of an application.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Learning software applications, such as a word processor or
a web browser has become part and parcel of our everyday lives.
Indeed, just to obtain entry level employment for a company, one
must be at least proficient with several software applications.
This can sometimes be a daunting task and that is why some
applications have a help menu that provides tips and suggestions
regarding how to correctly utilize the features of the relevant
software application.
SUMMARY
[0003] The present invention provides a method, system, and
computer program product for creating a usage tip. One or more
processors monitor usage of an application on a first computing
device. The one or more processors determine whether the usage of a
feature of the application on the first computing device was
successful. Responsive to determining that the usage of the feature
of the application on the first computing device was not
successful, the one or more processors create a usage tip
associated with the feature of the application.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. 1 illustrates a usage tip creation system, in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0005] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the operations of the tip
program of FIG. 1 in generating a usage tip based on determining
whether or not a feature was used successfully, in accordance with
an embodiment of the invention.
[0006] FIG. 3 is a block diagram depicting the hardware components
of the usage tip creation system of FIG. 1, in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0007] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described
in detail with reference to the accompanying Figures.
[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates usage tip creation system 100, in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In an exemplary
embodiment, usage tip creation system 100 includes computing device
110 and social media server 140 all interconnected via network
130.
[0009] In the example embodiment, network 130 is the Internet,
representing a worldwide collection of networks and gateways to
support communications between devices connected to the Internet.
Network 130 may include, for example, wired, wireless, or fiber
optic connections. In other embodiments, network 130 may be
implemented as an intranet, a local area network (LAN), or a wide
area network (WAN). In general, network 130 can be any combination
of connections and protocols that will support communications
between computing device 110 and social media server 140.
[0010] Social media server 140 includes social media site 142.
Social media server 140 may be a desktop computer, a notebook, a
laptop computer, a tablet computer, a handheld device, a
smart-phone, a thin client, or any other electronic device or
computing system capable of receiving and sending data to and from
other computing devices such as computing device 110 via network
130. Although not shown, optionally, social media server 140 can
comprise a cluster of web servers executing the same software to
collectively process the requests for the web pages as distributed
by a front end server and a load balancer. In the example
embodiment, social media server 140 is a computing device that is
optimized for the support of websites which reside on social media
server 140, such as social media site 142, and for the support of
network requests related to websites, which reside on social media
server 140. Social media server 140 is described in more detail
with reference to FIG. 3.
[0011] Social media site 142 is a collection of files including,
for example, HTML files, CSS files, image files and JavaScript
files. Social media site 142 can also include other resources such
as audio files and video files.
[0012] Computing device 110 includes tip program 112 and
application 114. Computing device 110 may be a desktop computer, a
notebook, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a handheld device,
a smart-phone, a thin client, or any other electronic device or
computing system capable of receiving and sending data to and from
other computing devices, such as social media server 140, via
network 130. Although not shown, optionally, computing device 110
can comprise a cluster of web devices executing the same software
to collectively process requests. Computing device 110 is described
in more detail with reference to FIG. 3.
[0013] Application 114 is a software application such as a word
processor, web browser or other application.
[0014] Tip program 112 is capable of monitoring the usage of
application 114 and determining whether or not a feature of
application 114 is being utilized successfully. Tip program 112 is
also capable of generating one or more usage tips based on
determining whether or not a feature of application 114 is being
utilized successfully. In addition, tip program 112 is software
capable of receiving information, such as social media messages and
profile information from social media server 140 via network 130,
and generating one or more usage tips based on the received
information. In the example embodiment, tip program 114 is
partially integrated with application 114, however, in other
embodiments, tip program 114 may be fully integrated or completely
separate from application 114. The operations and functions of tip
program 112 is described in more detail with reference to FIG.
2.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the operations of tip
program 112 in determining whether or not a feature of an
application is being utilized successfully and generating a usage
tip based on the determination, in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the invention. In the example embodiment, tip program
112 monitors the usage of application 114 by the user of computing
device 110 (step 202). The data collected by tip program 112 while
monitoring may include, but is not limited to: features used, user
preferences associated with features, data regarding the hardware
environment (including CPU, memory, network, etc.), location
information (such as location of the user), and time of day. For
example, if application 114 is a word processor, tip program 112
monitors the usage of application 114 by the user of computing
device 110, including the usage of specific features of the word
processor, such as the graph feature (create a graph), and general
usage of the word processor, such as utilizing the word processor
to type a letter. In the example embodiment, along with monitoring,
tip program 112 also collects and stores the usage data in memory.
In the example embodiment, the usage data may be stored in
correlation with a specific user or user profile. In other
embodiments, specific features to be monitored may be designated by
a software/product developer. In further embodiments, tip program
112 may access a repository that stores the most frequently used
features of application 114 and only monitor the most frequently
used features. The most frequently used features may be specific to
the user of computing device 110, based on monitoring previously
done by tip program 112. Alternatively, the most frequently used
features may be generalized and based on the most frequently used
features of application 114 by the public at large.
[0016] In the example embodiment, tip program 112 determines if the
usage of a feature was successful (decision 204). In the example
embodiment, tip program 112 detects when a feature is utilized. For
example, if a print feature within a word processor is utilized,
tip program 112 detects that the print feature has been utilized by
the user of computing device 110 and determines whether the usage
of the feature was successful. In this example, tip program 112
determines whether the print was successful by communicating with
the printer via network 130, such as by receiving and examining a
response code sent by the printer. Based on examination of the
response code, tip program 112 can determine whether the print was
successful. In addition, if application 114 is software used to
update a website, tip program 112 may examine the response code
received via communication with the website in order to determine
whether the update was successful. Another example may be if tip
program 112 detects that a pdf (portable document format) feature,
such as pdf converter, within application 114 being utilized. If
two actions are required by the user of computing device 110 in
order to convert a document into pdf format, but the user forgets
the 2.sup.nd action, the document may not be converted. In this
example, after tip program 112 detects that the pdf feature is
being utilized, tip program 112 monitors the usage of the feature
in order to determine whether the usage of the feature was
successful (i.e., whether a pdf document was created). In other
embodiments, rather than an automatic determination, for example by
way of communicating with a device or monitoring usage of
application 114, tip program 112 may prompt the user of computing
device 110 to determine whether the usage of the feature was
successful. For example, after detecting the usage of a feature,
such as a print feature, tip program 112 may prompt the user of
computing device 110 to provide input as to whether the usage of
the feature was successful (i.e., whether the print was
successful). In further embodiments, tip program 112 may monitor
how many times that the user of computing device 110 has attempted
to utilize a feature and determine whether the usage of the feature
was successful based on the monitoring. In this further embodiment,
tip program 112 may monitor the number of times the feature has
been utilized in a certain period of time. For example, if tip
program 112 detects that the user of computing device 110 has
utilized the pdf feature five times with relation to the same
document within a five minute span, tip program 112 may determine
that the usage of the feature was unsuccessful. In even further
embodiments, tip program 112 may monitor the usage of a feature,
including the steps taken by the user, and compare the steps taken
to information contained within a reference file in order to
determine whether the usage of the feature of application 114 was
successful. In this embodiment, the reference file contains
information that details one or more features and the corresponding
steps that should be executed in order to use the feature
correctly. The reference file may be created by a developer or may
be compiled via crowd sourcing. In one embodiment, while tip
program 112 monitors the usage of the application (step 202), tip
program 112 may also store iterations when a feature has been
utilized successfully and the corresponding steps involved. This
may be later referenced by tip program 112 when determining whether
a feature is being utilized correctly.
[0017] If tip program 112 determines that the usage of the feature
of application 114 was successful (decision 204, "YES" branch), tip
program 112 continues to monitor the usage of application 114 (step
202).
[0018] If tip program 112 determines that the usage of the feature
of application 114 was unsuccessful (decision 204, "NO" branch),
tip program 112 creates a usage tip based on the unsuccessful usage
of the feature (step 206). Referring to the example above, if tip
program 112 determines, by way of communication with another device
or program, that the usage of a feature, such as the pdf feature,
was unsuccessful due to the user of computing device 110 failing to
complete a 2.sup.nd action, tip program 112 creates a usage tip
prompting the user to perform the 2.sup.nd action in order to
successfully utilize the pdf feature. In one embodiment, tip
program 112 may reference an electronic usage guide or reference
database to determine the steps needed in order to successfully
utilize the feature. Tip program 112 then monitors the usage of the
application to determine whether the feature was utilized
successfully, in the manner described above. If tip program 112
determines the usage of the feature was unsuccessful, tip program
112 may cross-reference the steps taken by the user of computing
device 110 with the steps recited in the reference guide or
database in order to determine the information that should be
contained within the usage tip.
[0019] In one embodiment, tip program 112 may be located on a
central server with application 114 being located on computing
device 110.
[0020] In a second embodiment, tip program 112 may communicate with
social media site 142, or a professional network website (or
employer website) via network 130 in order to determine the
profession of the user of computing device 110, and therefore,
determine which features of application 114 are most likely to be
utilized by the user of computing device 110. For example, if tip
program 112 determines that the user of computing device 110 is a
graphic designer, then tip program 112 may create (and present)
usage tips to the user of computing device 110 related to graphic
design. In addition, tip program 112 may retrieve information
related to social interests, scholastic interests, or any other
type of profile information in determining usage tips to create. In
other embodiments, tip program 112 may prompt the user of computing
device 110 to answer certain questions in order to determine
information regarding the user's vocation, interests, social
activities and other user information, and utilize the information
in determining usage tips to create. Furthermore, tip program 112
may access tag repositories and obtain all tags associated with the
user (such as tags associated with the user's profile on an
employer website), access bookmark repositories and obtain all
bookmarks associated with the user, access a corporate database and
obtain information about the user's skill set and role within the
company, and obtain information from any other social networks or
communities that the user may be associated with. Tip program 112
may utilize this information to determine which features of
application 114 are most likely to be utilized by the user of
computing device 110. For example, tip program 112 may access a tag
repository associated with an employer website of the user and
retrieve tags such as: "mvc" (model-view-controller), "soa"
(services-oriented architecture), and "uml" (unified modeling
language). Tip program 112 may then cross-reference the retrieved
tags with a tag database containing a list of tags and
corresponding professions/fields, and determine that the user is a
software architect. Based on this determination, tip program 112
presents usage tips associated with the profession or field of art.
In this embodiment, tip program 112 may utilize a database
containing usage tips and corresponding professions, fields of art.
In one embodiment, tip program 112 may only create and present
usage tips related to the most recently added or most popular
information (such as most recently added tag).
[0021] In a third embodiment, tip program 112 may provide usage
tips for a feature being utilized on a second device. For example,
if the user of computing device 110 typically utilizes a specific
feature of application 114 on computing device 110, if tip program
112 detects that the user is now using a second device (also
containing the same application), tip program 112 may provide the
user with a usage tip concerning the specific feature with regard
to the second device. This may be helpful because, in some cases,
the steps needed to successfully utilize a feature may vary based
on the type of device (i.e., CPU vs. tablet). In the third
embodiment, tip program 112 monitors the usage of a feature or
features on the first device of the user (i.e., computing device
110), in the same manner as described above. In this third
embodiment, tip program 112 may record the features utilized by the
user and the corresponding feature tips presented to the user. In
other embodiments, tip program 112 may store features (and
corresponding usage steps) determined to be relevant to the user or
feature, by any of the ways described, and/or the most frequently
utilized features (and corresponding usage steps) by the user or
public at large, in association with the login information of the
user. Tip program 112 then detects that the user has begun using a
second device via network 130, by way of detecting that the user
has logged into a second device (input login information) connected
to network 130. This can be accomplished, for example, by way of
communication between tip program 112 and the second device via
network 130. In other embodiments, tip program 112 may receive
input detailing that the second device is a user device and should
be monitored, or in even further embodiments, tip program 112 may
monitor all devices connected to a specific network, such as a
personal home network. Tip program 112 then monitors the usage of
features on the second device and presents relevant usage tips for
the second device. For example, if the user of computing device 110
utilizes a feature of application 114 on computing device 110, tip
program 112 may record the features and usage of the features. If
tip program 112 then detects, via a network, that the user has
moved to a second device (which also contains the same
application), tip program 112 may then monitor the usage of the
application on the second device. If tip program 112 detects that
the recorded feature is being attempted to be utilized on the
second device, tip program 112 may provide a usage tip tailored to
the second device. In doing so in the second embodiment, tip
program 112 may reference an electronic user guide associated with
the second device, or perform any of the steps mentioned above, in
order to determine the steps needed to be performed in order to
utilize the feature successfully on the second device. In other
embodiments, there may be a central repository which stores usage
data (features and corresponding usage steps) that is utilized by
tip program 112 in determining whether a feature has been utilized
correctly. In yet another embodiment, tip program 112 may transmit
all usage tips stored in association with the login information of
the user to the second device, after detection of the same
application being utilized on the second device. In even further
embodiments, tip program 112 may determine if the usage of the
recorded features was successful on the second device (in the same
manner as described above), and if the usage of the recorded
feature was not successful, tip program 112 may provide a usage tip
tailored to the second device.
[0022] Alternatively, with regard to the third embodiment, tip
program 112 may be located on a central server. In this
alternative, tip program 112 may detect a user utilizing a first
device (computing device 110) by way of the user logging in. Tip
program 112 may monitor usage of application 114 on computing
device 110 (the first device), or the monitoring may be done
locally by a sister program on computing device 110 (and then
retrieved by tip program 112 via a network). Tip program 112 may
store successful usage of features of application 114 (including
the corresponding steps), or may utilize a reference guide or
database which contains specific features of application 114 and
the corresponding steps to utilize each specific feature correctly
in association with the login information of the user. In addition,
tip program 112 may store the most frequently utilized features and
associated usage tips for the application, and/or the most
frequently utilized features and associated usage tips specific to
the user (determined via monitoring information) in association
with login information of the user. Furthermore, tip program 112
may store features determined to be relevant to the user or to the
feature via any process described above in association with the
login information of the user.
[0023] Tip program 112 may then detect that the user of computing
device 110 has begun using a second device. In this alternative,
detection may be accomplished by receiving login information from
the user. For example, each time the user logins into application
114, tip program 112 may receive the login information of the user
(such as user ID and password) along with device ID information
which is unique to the device being used by the user. Therefore, if
the user logs into the same application from a second device, tip
program 112 receives the login information of the user and the
device ID associated with the second device, and is able to
identify the user. The device information may also include
information detailing the type of device, such as a CPU, a
smartphone, a tablet, etc. Tip program 112 utilizes the device
information to determine the type of device being used by the user
and may transmit usage tips to the second device based on the usage
tips stored in association with the login information of the user
and/or features being utilized on the second device. For example,
tip program 112 may monitor or receive monitoring information (from
second device) and determine usage tips relevant to the features
being utilized. Tip program 112 may also transmit all usage tips
associated with the login information of the user and/or usage tips
determined to be relevant to the user by any process described
above. Tip program 112 may reference an electronic guide or feature
database containing information detailing specific features and
corresponding usage steps for multiple devices.
[0024] The foregoing description of various embodiments of the
present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration
and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive nor to limit
the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and
variations are possible. Such modifications and variations that may
be apparent to a person skilled in the art of the invention are
intended to be included within the scope of the invention as
defined by the accompanying claims.
[0025] FIG. 3 depicts a block diagram of components of computing
device 110 and social media server 140, in accordance with an
illustrative embodiment of the present invention. It should be
appreciated that FIG. 3 provides only an illustration of one
implementation and does not imply any limitations with regard to
the environments in which different embodiments may be implemented.
Many modifications to the depicted environment may be made.
[0026] Computing device 110 and social media server 140 include
communications fabric 302, which provides communications between
computer processor(s) 304, memory 306, persistent storage 308,
communications unit 312, and input/output (I/O) interface(s) 314.
Communications fabric 302 can be implemented with any architecture
designed for passing data and/or control information between
processors (such as microprocessors, communications and network
processors, etc.), system memory, peripheral devices, and any other
hardware components within a system. For example, communications
fabric 302 can be implemented with one or more buses.
[0027] Memory 306 and persistent storage 308 are computer-readable
storage media. In this embodiment, memory 306 includes random
access memory (RAM) 316 and cache memory 318. In general, memory
306 can include any suitable volatile or non-volatile
computer-readable storage media.
[0028] The programs tip program 112 and user interface 114 in
computing device 110; and social media site 142 in social media
server 140 are stored in persistent storage 308 for execution by
one or more of the respective computer processors 304 via one or
more memories of memory 306. In this embodiment, persistent storage
308 includes a magnetic hard disk drive. Alternatively, or in
addition to a magnetic hard disk drive, persistent storage 308 can
include a solid state hard drive, a semiconductor storage device,
read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory
(EPROM), flash memory, or any other computer-readable storage media
that is capable of storing program instructions or digital
information.
[0029] The media used by persistent storage 308 may also be
removable. For example, a removable hard drive may be used for
persistent storage 308. Other examples include optical and magnetic
disks, thumb drives, and smart cards that are inserted into a drive
for transfer onto another computer-readable storage medium that is
also part of persistent storage 308.
[0030] Communications unit 312, in these examples, provides for
communications with other data processing systems or devices. In
these examples, communications unit 312 includes one or more
network interface cards. Communications unit 312 may provide
communications through the use of either or both physical and
wireless communications links. The programs tip program 112 and
user interface 114 in computing device 110, and social media site
142 in social media server 140, may be downloaded to persistent
storage 308 through communications unit 312.
[0031] I/O interface(s) 314 allows for input and output of data
with other devices that may be connected to computing device 110
and social media server 140. For example, I/O interface 314 may
provide a connection to external devices 320 such as, a keyboard,
keypad, a touch screen, and/or some other suitable input device.
External devices 320 can also include portable computer-readable
storage media such as, for example, thumb drives, portable optical
or magnetic disks, and memory cards. Software and data used to
practice embodiments of the present invention, e.g., the programs
tip program 112 and user interface 114 in computing device 110, and
social media site 142 in social media server 140, can be stored on
such portable computer-readable storage media and can be loaded
onto persistent storage 308 via I/O interface(s) 314. I/O
interface(s) 314 can also connect to a display 322.
[0032] Display 322 provides a mechanism to display data to a user
and may be, for example, a computer monitor.
[0033] The programs described herein are identified based upon the
application for which they are implemented in a specific embodiment
of the invention. However, it should be appreciated that any
particular program nomenclature herein is used merely for
convenience, and thus the invention should not be limited to use
solely in any specific application identified and/or implied by
such nomenclature. The present invention may be a system, a method,
and/or a computer program product. The computer program product may
include a computer readable storage medium (or media) having
computer readable program instructions thereon for causing a
processor to carry out aspects of the present invention.
[0034] The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible
device that can retain and store instructions for use by an
instruction execution device. The computer readable storage medium
may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage
device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an
electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or
any suitable combination of the foregoing. A non-exhaustive list of
more specific examples of the computer readable storage medium
includes the following: 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), a static
random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only
memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a
floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such as punch-cards or
raised structures in a groove having instructions recorded thereon,
and any suitable combination of the foregoing. A computer readable
storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construed as being
transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely
propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves
propagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g.,
light pulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical
signals transmitted through a wire.
[0035] Computer readable program instructions described herein can
be downloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a
computer readable storage medium or to an external computer or
external storage device via a network, for example, the Internet, a
local area network, a wide area network and/or a wireless network.
The network may comprise copper transmission cables, optical
transmission fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls,
switches, gateway computers and/or edge devices. A network adapter
card or network interface in each computing/processing device
receives computer readable program instructions from the network
and forwards the computer readable program instructions for storage
in a computer readable storage medium within the respective
computing/processing device.
[0036] Computer readable program instructions for carrying out
operations of the present invention may be assembler instructions,
instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine
instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware
instructions, state-setting data, or either source code or object
code written in any combination of one or more programming
languages, including an object oriented programming language such
as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, and conventional procedural
programming languages, such as the "C" programming language or
similar programming languages. The computer readable program
instructions 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 device. 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). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry
including, for example, programmable logic circuitry,
field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays
(PLA) may execute the computer readable program instructions by
utilizing state information of the computer readable program
instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order to
perform aspects of the present invention.
[0037] Aspects of the present invention are described herein with
reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of
methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products
according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood
that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block
diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations
and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable
program instructions.
[0038] These computer readable 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.
These computer readable program instructions may also be stored in
a computer readable storage medium that can direct a computer, a
programmable data processing apparatus, and/or other devices to
function in a particular manner, such that the computer readable
storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises an
article of manufacture including instructions which implement
aspects of the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block
diagram block or blocks.
[0039] The computer readable program instructions may also be
loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing
apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps
to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or
other device to produce a computer implemented process, such that
the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable
apparatus, or other device implement the functions/acts specified
in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
[0040] 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 of the present invention. In this
regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent
a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprises one
or more executable instructions for implementing the specified
logical function(s). 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 carry out combinations
of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.
[0041] The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present
invention 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 invention. The terminology used herein was chosen
to best explain the principles of the embodiment, 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.
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