U.S. patent application number 15/041069 was filed with the patent office on 2016-11-03 for dynamic visualization of big data.
The applicant listed for this patent is INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION. Invention is credited to William M. Duckworth, Kerrie L. Holley, Gandhi Sivakumar.
Application Number | 20160321328 15/041069 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57204839 |
Filed Date | 2016-11-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160321328 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Duckworth; William M. ; et
al. |
November 3, 2016 |
DYNAMIC VISUALIZATION OF BIG DATA
Abstract
Dynamic visualization of big data is provided. Data describing a
user is received from at least one of a plurality of data sources.
One or more characteristics of the user are determined based, at
least in part, on the data describing the user. One or more visual
indicators are determined based, at least in part, on the one or
more characteristics of the user. A visual representation of the
user is presented. The visual representation is based, at least in
part, on the one or more visual indicators.
Inventors: |
Duckworth; William M.;
(Sydney, AU) ; Holley; Kerrie L.; (Montara,
CA) ; Sivakumar; Gandhi; (Bentleigh, AU) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION |
Armonk |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
57204839 |
Appl. No.: |
15/041069 |
Filed: |
February 11, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14697724 |
Apr 28, 2015 |
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15041069 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 16/248 20190101;
H04M 3/5133 20130101; G06F 40/30 20200101; H04M 3/42068 20130101;
G06F 16/283 20190101; G06T 11/206 20130101; G06T 11/60
20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06F 17/30 20060101
G06F017/30 |
Claims
1. A method comprising: receiving, by one or more computer
processors, information associated with a user of a client computer
system from one of a plurality of data stores, wherein a first of
the plurality of data stores includes a customer database, and a
second of the plurality of data stores includes one of: internal
source call center logs, network real time performance data,
customer relationship management sources, or social media
databases; determining, by the one or more computer processors, one
or more characteristics of the user based on information associated
with the user, wherein a first of the one or more characteristics
includes a preferred spoken language of the user, and a second of
the one or more characteristics includes one of: preferred spoken
language of the user, a geographical location of the user, other
personal information, lifestyle choices, hobbies, personal
preferences, and other personal interest information, total hold
time, number of interactions, network strength, other call or
interaction information; generating, by the one or more computer
processors, one or more visual indicators that represent one or
more characteristics of the one or more characteristics of the user
via an application program that leverages natural language
processing and semantic analysis tools to associate a visual
indicator with a characteristic; responsive to determining that at
least one of the one or more characteristics are not represented by
a generated visual indicator, generating, by the one or more
computer processors, one or more text indicators that include a
portion of text based on the at least one of the one or more
characteristics that are not represented by a generated visual
indicator; generating, by the one or more computer processors, a
user profile based the one or more generated visual indicators,
wherein the user profile is a representation that describes the one
or more characteristics of the user; responsive to determining that
one or more text indicators are generated, updating, by the one or
more computer processors, the user profile with the one or more
generated text indicators; and updating, by the one or more
computer processors, the user profile based on an update to at
least one of the plurality of data stores.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of big
data, and more particularly to providing dynamic visualization of
big data.
[0002] Customer support services, emergency response services, and
other services can use telecommunication technologies to
communicate with a plurality of clients. Typically, a duration for
a completed call (i.e., a tele-communicative interaction between a
client and a service that has been appropriately handled by the
service) is represented by an average handling time (AHT). The AHT
for each of the plurality of clients that the service interacts
with may depend on information provided to the service and the
manner in which the information is provided.
SUMMARY
[0003] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a
method for dynamic visualization of big data is provided. The
method includes receiving, by one or more processors, data
describing a user from at least one of a plurality of data sources;
determining, by one or more processors, one or more characteristics
of the user based, at least in part, on the data describing the
user; determining, by one or more processors, one or more visual
indicators based, at least in part, on the one or more
characteristics of the user; and presenting, by one or more
processors, a visual representation of the user, wherein the visual
representation is based, at least in part, on the one or more
visual indicators.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a computing environment, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0005] FIGS. 2A-2F are diagrams illustrating a visual
representation of characteristics of a user of a client computer
system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0006] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating operational steps for
creating an enriched client profile, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention; and
[0007] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of internal and external
components of the computer systems of FIG. 1, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0008] Embodiments of the present invention provide methods for
offering dynamic visualization of one or more characteristics of a
client to a service. Embodiments of the present invention capture
client information from data stores (e.g., customer databases and
internal source call center logs) and translates the captured
client information into dynamic visual representations of
characteristics of the client. In this manner, as discussed in
greater detail herein, embodiments of the present invention can be
implemented by services (e.g., call centers, customer support
services, support hotlines, and emergency response services), for
example, to reduce an average handling time (AHT) for client
interactions.
[0009] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of computing environment 100, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Computing
environment 100 includes data stores 110, target computer system
130, client computer system 140, all interconnected by network
120.
[0010] Data stores 110 are accessible by target computer system 130
and client computer system 140 via network 120. Data stores 110 can
comprise one or more data stores on one or more computer systems.
In this embodiment, data stores 110 contain information used by
client computer system 140 and target computer system 130. Examples
of data stores which may be represented by data stores 110 include,
but are not limited to, customer databases, internal source call
center logs, network real time performance data, customer
relationship management sources, social media databases, and
combinations thereof. Furthermore, data stores 110 may also contain
a translation map comprising one or more tables that associates
characteristics of a user with visual indicators, as discussed in
greater detail herein. Data stores 110 may be updated with
information from big data sources automatically (e.g., once a day)
and/or manually (e.g., user specification).
[0011] Network 120 can be, for example, a local area network (LAN),
a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet, or a combination of
the two, and include wired, wireless, or fiber optic connections.
In general, network 120 can be any combination of connections and
protocols that will support communications between client computer
system 140, target computer system 130, and data stores 110, in
accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
[0012] Target computer system 130 includes data retrieval component
132, service application 134, and enriched client profile 136.
Target computer system 130 receives information associated with a
user of client computer system 140 (e.g., characteristics) from
data stores 110. In this embodiment, users of target computer
system 130 are one or more persons from a service. Examples of
types of users of target computer system 130 include, but are not
limited to, employees at call centers, dispatchers at emergency
response services, and agents at customer support services. Target
computer system 130 can be can be a desktop computer, laptop
computer, specialized computer server, or any other computer system
known in the art. In general, target computer system 130 is
representative of any electronic device, or combination of
electronic devices, capable of executing machine-readable program
instructions, as described in greater detail with regard to FIG.
4.
[0013] Data retrieval component 132 retrieves information
associated with a user of client computer system 140 from data
stores 110. Data retrieval component 132 uses the retrieved
information to create enriched client profile 136 by service
application 134. In this embodiment, data retrieval component 132
is stored and executed on target computer system 130. In another
embodiment, data retrieval component 132 may be stored and executed
on another computer system separate from target computer system 130
(not depicted). Data retrieval component 132 may include one or
more components that selectively retrieve information associated
with a user of client computer system 140 (e.g., characteristics of
the user). For example, a customer support service may use data
retrieval component 132 to selectively retrieve information such
as, logs of previous call history between a user of client computer
system 140 and the customer support service, network and location
information for a user of client computer system 140, social media
information for a user of client computer system 140, and an
internal customer profile (e.g., purchase history).
[0014] Service application 134 processes the retrieved information
associated with a user of client computer system 140 from data
retrieval component 132. In this embodiment, service application
134 uses a translation map to translate the retrieved information
into one or more visual indicators (e.g., language representations,
dynamic images, and interactive objects) for enriched client
profile 136. Service application 134 creates enriched client
profile 136 using stack tools (e.g., natural language processing
tools or semantic analysis tools) to blend retrieved information
associated with the user of client computer system 140. In this
embodiment, service application 134 is stored and executed on
target computer system 130. In another embodiment, service
application 134 may be stored and executed on another computer
system separate from target computer system 130 (not depicted).
Service application 134 may include one or more components that
process (e.g., consolidate or blend) information associated with
the user of client computer system 140 to create enriched client
profile 136.
[0015] Enriched client profile 136 provides a visual representation
of information associated with a user of client computer system 140
to a user of target computer system 130. In this embodiment,
enriched client profile 136 includes visual indicators that
represent characteristics of the user of client computer system
140. A visual indicator is semantically related to the
characteristic with which the visual indicator is associated. For
example, a visual indicator is an image that depicts an object that
suggests the characteristic. The characteristics of the user are
determined based on information associated with the user of client
computer system 140 from data stores 110. Furthermore, the visual
indicators and representations may dynamically interact with each
other. Examples of enriched client profile 136 are depicted in
FIGS. 2A-2F, wherein each enriched client profile 136 comprises an
avatar and one or more visual indicators. In some embodiments,
enriched client profile 136 includes a client record plus (i.e.,
enriched with) characteristics of the user of client computer
system 140.
[0016] Client computer system 140 is a computer system that
exchanges information associated with a user of client computer
system 140 with data stores 110 via network 120. Client computer
system 140 may transmit information associated with the user of
client computer system 140 automatically or upon request of the
user of client computer system 140. For example, location
information, network information, personal interests, social media
updates, client information, and other types of information can be
automatically transmitted to data stores 110, as described in
greater detail with regard to FIG. 3. In another embodiment, an
authorization may be provided by the user of client computer system
140, initiating transmission of information associated with the
user of client computer system 140 to data stores 110. For example,
a user of target computer system 130 (e.g., a support service
employee) may interact with a user of client computer system 140
(e.g., a client). In this instance, the user of target computer
system 130 may request the user of client computer system 140 to
authorize transmission of location information to data stores 110
for subsequent processing. Subsequently, the location information
associated with the user of client computer system 140 is
transmitted to data stores 110. Accordingly, a new enriched client
profile 136 is generated based, at least in part, on the retrieved
location information associated with the user of client computer
system 140. In this embodiment, client computer system 140
interacts with target computer system 130 to establish
communication between a user of client computer system 140 and a
user of target computer system 130. Client computer system 140 can
be can be a desktop computer, laptop computer, specialized computer
server, or any other computer system known in the art. In general,
client computer system 140 is representative of any electronic
device, or combination of electronic devices, capable of executing
machine-readable program instructions, as described in greater
detail with regard to FIG. 4. In one embodiment, client computer
system 140 is a portable electronic device, in which case a user of
client computer system 140 uses client computer system 140 to
interact (e.g., phone call or instant message) with a user of
target computer system 130 via network 120.
[0017] FIGS. 2A-2F are diagrams that each illustrate a visual
representation (e.g., avatar 200) of information associated with a
user of client computer system 140, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the
information associated with the user of client computer system 140
(e.g., characteristics) stored in data stores 110 are translated
into one or more visual indicators. As discussed in greater detail
later in this specification, service application 134 uses a
translation map stored in data stores 110 to identify one or more
visual indicators that correspond to characteristics of the user of
client computer system 140. Enriched client profile 136 is
presented to a user of target computer system 130 responsive to the
user of target computer system 130 establishing an interaction with
the user of client computer system 140.
[0018] FIG. 2A illustrates avatar 200, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, avatar 200
is a visual representation of the user of client computer system
140. In other embodiments, avatar 200 is modified using visual
indicators based on one or more characteristics of the user of
client computer system 140.
[0019] FIG. 2B illustrates avatar 200, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, avatar 200
is enriched with visual indicator 204, visual indicator 206, and
visual indicator 208 to create enriched client profile 136. In
another embodiment, enriched client profile 136 may comprise a
greater or lesser number of visual indicators. Visual indicator 204
depicts a shirt superimposed over avatar 200, wherein the shirt
provides an indication of a location of the user of client computer
system 140. For example, a national flag pattern may be a design of
visual indicator 204. In this case, the visual indicator may be an
image of a national flag, which is semantically related to the
location of the user. Visual indicator 206 depicts a conversation
bubble emitting from avatar 200, wherein the conversation bubble
provides an indication of the preferred language spoken by the user
of client computer system 140. For example, Spanish text within
visual indicator 206 can indicate that the preferred spoken
language of the user of client computer system 140 is Spanish.
Visual indicator 208 depicts an emoticon superimposed over avatar
200, wherein the emoticon provides an indication of a current mood
of the user of client computer system 140. For example, a frown
face can be visual indicator 208 and may indicate that the user of
client computer system 140 is currently unhappy. In general, visual
indicators 204, 206, and 208 are visual indicators representing
characteristics of the user of client computer system 140 (e.g.,
preferred spoken language, origin of call, mood of client, and
other personal information from data stores 110).
[0020] FIG. 2C illustrates avatar 200, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, avatar 200
is enriched with visual indicator 210, visual indicator 212, visual
indicator 214, and visual indicator 216 to create enriched client
profile 136. In another embodiment, enriched client profile 136 may
comprise a greater or lesser number of visual indicators. Visual
indicator 210 depicts a shopping bag held by avatar 200, wherein
the shopping bag provides an indication that the user of client
computer system 140 frequently shops. Visual indicator 212 depicts
a pennant held by avatar 200, wherein the pennant provides an
indication that the user of client computer system 140 enjoys
sporting events. Visual indicator 214 depicts a pair of headphones
worn by avatar 200, wherein the pair of headphones provides an
indication that the user of client computer system 140 enjoys
listening to music. Visual indicator 216 depicts an icon located
near avatar 200, wherein the icon indicates an application that the
user of client computer system 140 frequently uses. In general,
visual indicators 210, 212, 214, and 216 are visual indicators
representing different characteristics of the user of client
computer system 140 (e.g., lifestyle choices, hobbies, personal
preferences, and other personal interest information from data
stores 110).
[0021] FIG. 2D illustrates avatar 200, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, avatar 200
is enriched visual indicator 218, visual indicator 220, and visual
indicator 222. In another embodiment, enriched client profile 136
may comprise a greater or lesser number of visual indicators.
Visual indicator 218 depicts an icon located near avatar 200,
wherein the icon indicates a number of times a user of client
computer system 140 (i.e., a client) has interacted (e.g., called)
with a particular user of target computer system 130 (i.e.,
customer service representative). For example, visual indicator 218
may indicate that four interactions have taken place between the
user of client computer system 140 and the user of target computer
system 130. Visual indicator 220 depicts another icon located near
avatar 200, wherein the icon indicates a network or a connection
status. For example, a cell-phone inside a "no-sign" can indicate
that client computer system 140 is connected to target computer
system 130 via a network connection (e.g., network 120) having low
signal strength. Visual indicator 222 depicts another icon located
near avatar 200, wherein the icon indicates a time metric related
to the current call. For example, textual information coupled with
the icon located near avatar 200 can indicate that the user of
client computer system 140 has been on hold for 10 minutes. In
another example, visual indicator 222 indicates the duration of the
current call. In general, visual indicators 218, 220, and 222 are
visual indicators representing different characteristics of the
user of client computer system 140 (e.g., total hold time, number
of interactions, network strength, and other call or interaction
information).
[0022] FIG. 2E illustrates avatar 200, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, avatar 200
is enriched with text indicator 224. In another embodiment,
enriched client profile 136 may comprise a greater or lesser number
of visual indicators. Text indicator 224 depicts textual content
located near avatar 200, wherein the textual content indicates a
type of information based, at least in part on, the user of client
computer system 140 and/or the user of target computer system 130.
For example, text indicator 224 may be implemented if no visual
indicator can be generated to represent different characteristics
of the user of client computer system 140.
[0023] FIG. 2F illustrates avatar 200, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, avatar 200
is enriched with visual indicator 226, visual indicator 228, visual
indicator 230, and text indicator 232. In another embodiment,
enriched client profile 136 may comprise a greater or lesser number
of visual and text indicators. Visual indicator 226 indicates that
the user of client computer system 140 enjoys listening to music.
Visual indicator 230 indicates that four interactions (e.g., calls)
have taken place between the user of client computer system 140 and
the user of target computer system 130. Visual indicator 228
indicates that the preferred spoken language of the user of client
computer system 140 is English. Text indicator 232 indicates
non-graphic information based, at least in part, on the user of
client computer system 140 and/or the user of target computer
system 130. In general, avatar 200 may comprise any number of
visual and text indicators that represent one or more types of
information (e.g., personal interests, client-service
relationships, network status, current call information, and
combinations thereof) to create enriched client profile 136.
Furthermore, the number of visual and text indicators are dynamic
such that objects may interact with one another, and can be
adjusted (e.g., size, location, opacity) as well as removed and/or
added.
[0024] FIG. 3 is flowchart 300 illustrating operational steps for
generating enriched client profile 136, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, target
computer system 130 and client computer system 140 interact with
data stores 110 via network 120. Subsequently, target computer
system 130 identifies information associated with a user of client
computer system 140 and translates the identified information into
one or more visual indicators. Accordingly, target computer system
130 generates enriched client profile 136 using an avatar (e.g.,
avatar 200) enriched with the one or more translated visual
indicators. In this embodiment, target computer system 130
automatically identifies information associated with the user of
client computer system 140 based on a predetermined setting. In
another embodiment, a user of target computer system 130 may elect
to include additional and/or remove information to be translated,
as described in greater detail herein.
[0025] In step 302, service application 134 communicates with data
retrieval component 132 to capture information associated with a
user of client computer system 140. The information to be captured
by data retrieval component 132 is stored in data stores 110. In
this embodiment, service application 134 automatically communicates
with data retrieval component 132 to capture the information
responsive to establishing an interaction between a user of target
computer system 130 and the user of client computer system 140. For
example, service application 134 indicates to data retrieval
component 132 to capture personal information, network information,
and call history information to create enriched client profile 136.
In another embodiment, the user of target computer system 130
specifies when to capture information associated with the user of
client computer system 140. For example, the user of target
computer system 130 may require additional information associated
with the user of client computer system 140. Furthermore, service
application 134 may also specify a refresh frequency for
information stored in data stores 110. For example, a user of
client computer system 140 may call a user of target computer
system 130. In this example, service application 134 may determine
that the information stored in data stores 110 that is associated
with the user of client computer system 140 is not up to date. In
this instance, service application 134 may request to update data
stores 110 with refreshed information associated with the user of
client computer system 140 prior to capturing the information for
subsequent processing. For illustrative purposes, it should be
understood that more than one enriched client profile 136 can be
created during an interaction between the user of client computer
system 140 and the user of target computer system 130. In general,
data retrieval component 132 automatically and/or
semi-automatically (via user input) retrieves information
associated with the user of client computer system 140 to create
enriched client profile 136. In some embodiments, service
application 134 may perform some or all of operations of flowchart
300 in response to an update to the information associated with the
user of client computer system 140.
[0026] In step 304, service application 134 determines whether
language mapping is available. In this embodiment, service
application 134 uses a translation map stored in data stores 110
and the captured information to determine whether the stored
translation map allows generation of one or more visual indicators.
As previously discussed, the translation map may comprise one or
more tables that associate late characteristics describing the user
of client computer system 140 with one or more visual
indicators.
[0027] If, in step 304, service application 134 determines that
language mapping is unavailable, then in step 306, service
application 134 creates one or more text indicators to describe the
enriched information associated with the user of client computer
system 140. For example, service application 134 may analyze the
captured information and the translation map and determine that one
or more portions of the captured information cannot be translated
using the stored translation map. In certain embodiments, service
application 134 stores enriched information that could not be
translated to create visual indicators for creating subsequent
translation maps. In yet another embodiment, the user of target
computer system 130 may be prompted with non-translated enriched
information and, in this instance, the user of target computer
system 130 may decide how to handle the non-translated enriched
information. For example, the user of target computer system 130
may manually assign one or more visual indicators to the captured
information.
[0028] If, in step 304, service application 134 determines that
language mapping is available, then in step 308, service
application 134 creates one or more visual indicators to describe
the information associated with the user of client computer system
140 using the stored translation map and the captured
information.
[0029] In step 310, service application 134 creates enriched client
profile 136 based, at least in part, on the one or more created
text indicators and/or the one more created visual indicators. As
previously discussed, in this embodiment, enriched client profile
136 comprises an avatar that is enriched with at least one visual
indicator and/or textual indicator. In this embodiment, the created
enriched client profile 136 that may be presented to a user of
target computer system 130 may reduce the AHT of an interaction
between the user of client computer system 140 and the user of
target computer system 130. The AHT may be reduced because
characteristics of the user of client computer system 140 and
information associated with the interaction have an increased ease
of access and readability. Accordingly, the user of target computer
system 130 can provide a faster response time (i.e., reduced AHT)
using visualization of information provided by enriched client
profile 136.
[0030] In certain embodiments, operational steps described in FIG.
3 may be repeated to create another enriched client profile 136 for
one or more interactions between users of client computer system
140 and target computer system 130 or update a previously created
enriched client profile 136. It should be understood, that
operational steps described in FIG. 3 may be performed in any order
enriched client profile 136 is generated, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of internal and external
components of a computer system 400, which is representative the
computer systems of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention. It should be appreciated that FIG. 4 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. In general, the components
illustrated in FIG. 4 are representative of any electronic device
capable of executing machine-readable program instructions.
Examples of computer systems, environments, and/or configurations
that may be represented by the components illustrated in FIG. 4
include, but are not limited to, personal computer systems, server
computer systems, thin clients, thick clients, laptop computer
systems, tablet computer systems, cellular telephones (e.g., smart
phones), multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems,
network PCs, minicomputer systems, mainframe computer systems, and
distributed cloud computing environments that include any of the
above systems or devices.
[0032] Computer system 400 includes communications fabric 402,
which provides for communications between one or more processors
404, memory 406, persistent storage 408, communications unit 412,
and one or more input/output (I/O) interfaces 414. Communications
fabric 402 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 402
can be implemented with one or more buses.
[0033] Memory 406 and persistent storage 408 are computer-readable
storage media. In this embodiment, memory 406 includes random
access memory (RAM) 416 and cache memory 418. In general, memory
406 can include any suitable volatile or non-volatile
computer-readable storage media. Software is stored in persistent
storage 408 for execution and/or access by one or more of the
respective processors 404 via one or more memories of memory
406.
[0034] Persistent storage 408 may include, for example, a plurality
of magnetic hard disk drives. Alternatively, or in addition to
magnetic hard disk drives, persistent storage 408 can include one
or more solid state hard drives, semiconductor storage devices,
read-only memories (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memories
(EPROM), flash memories, or any other computer-readable storage
media that is capable of storing program instructions or digital
information.
[0035] The media used by persistent storage 408 can also be
removable. For example, a removable hard drive can be used for
persistent storage 408. 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 408.
[0036] Communications unit 412 provides for communications with
other computer systems or devices via a network (e.g., network
120). In this exemplary embodiment, communications unit 412
includes network adapters or interfaces such as a TCP/IP adapter
cards, wireless Wi-Fi interface cards, or 3G or 4G wireless
interface cards or other wired or wireless communication links. The
network can comprise, for example, copper wires, optical fibers,
wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway
computers and/or edge servers. Software and data used to practice
embodiments of the present invention can be downloaded through
communications unit 412 (e.g., via the Internet, a local area
network or other wide area network). From communications unit 412,
the software and data can be loaded onto persistent storage
408.
[0037] One or more I/O interfaces 414 allow for input and output of
data with other devices that may be connected to computer system
400. For example, I/O interface 414 can provide a connection to one
or more external devices 420, such as a keyboard, computer mouse,
touch screen, virtual keyboard, touch pad, pointing device, or
other human interface devices. External devices 420 can also
include portable computer-readable storage media such as, for
example, thumb drives, portable optical or magnetic disks, and
memory cards. I/O interface 414 also connects to display 422.
[0038] Display 422 provides a mechanism to display data to a user
and can be, for example, a computer monitor. Display 422 can also
be an incorporated display and may function as a touch screen, such
as a built-in display of a tablet computer.
[0039] 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.
[0040] 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.
[0041] 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 servers. 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.
[0042] 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 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). 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.
[0043] 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.
[0044] 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.
[0045] 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.
[0046] 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.
[0047] 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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