Abstract:
Providing run book and web user interface automation via and manual and automatic web-based procedures. An application engages a teaching mode in a web-based graphical user interface (GUI), wherein a collection of selectable portions of the web-based GUI is accentuated. The application records a sequence of selections made among the collection of selectable portions of the web-based GUI as well as data entered within the GUI, where the sequence of selections represent a repeatable user-defined procedure for interacting with the web-based GUI. The application replays the sequence of selections with the web-based GUI.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates to the field of computers, and specifically to software. Still more specifically, the present disclosure relates efficient generation of computer instructions. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    A method for providing run book and web user interface automation via and manual and automatic web-based procedures. An application engages a teaching mode in a web-based graphical user interface (GUI), wherein a collection of selectable portions of the web-based GUI is accentuated. The application records a sequence of selections made among the collection of selectable portions of the web-based GUI as well as data selections on any part of the web-based GUI, where the sequence of selections represent a repeatable user-defined procedure for interacting with the web-based GUI. The application replays the sequence of selections with the web-based GUI. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]      FIG. 1  depicts an exemplary network in which the present invention may be implemented; 
           [0004]      FIG. 2-4  are pictorial depictions of a graphical user interface of a provisioning manager according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0005]      FIG. 5  is a high-level logical flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for implementing a teaching mode for web replay according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0006]      FIG. 6  is a high-level logical flowchart depicting an exemplary method for replay of a procedure defined in the teaching mode according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the present invention may be embodied as a method, system, or computer program product. Accordingly, the present invention 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, the present invention may take the form of a computer program product on a computer-usable storage medium having computer-usable program code embodied in the medium. 
         [0008]    Any suitable computer usable or computer readable medium may be utilized. The computer-usable or computer-readable medium may be, for example but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, device, or propagation medium. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer-readable medium would 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), an optical storage device, a transmission media such as those supporting the Internet or an intranet, or a magnetic storage device. Note that the computer-usable or computer-readable medium could even be paper or another suitable medium upon which the program is printed, as the program can be electronically captured, via, for instance, optical scanning of the paper or other medium, then compiled, interpreted, or otherwise processed in a suitable manner, if necessary, and then stored in a computer memory. In the context of this document, a computer-usable or computer-readable medium may be any medium that can contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The computer-usable medium may include a propagated data signal with the computer-usable program code embodied therewith, either in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. The computer usable program code may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to the Internet, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc. 
         [0009]    Computer program code for carrying out operations of the present invention may be written in an object oriented programming language such as Java® (Java is a trademark or registered trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other countries), Smalltalk, C++ or the like. However, the computer program code for carrying out operations of the present invention may also be written in conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The program code may execute entirely on the user&#39;s computer, partly on the user&#39;s computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user&#39;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&#39;s computer through 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). 
         [0010]    The present invention is described below with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatuses (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 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. 
         [0011]    These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
         [0012]    The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
         [0013]    In a computer system and/or network, a “run book” is a set of procedures for routine and special operation of the computer system and/or network by a system administrator or network operator. For example, a run book may include procedures for starting, stopping, and monitoring of the computer system and/or network; for handling special requests; and for handling problems that may occur during the operation of the computer system and/or network. Essentially, a run book enables automation of an organization&#39;s computer system and/or network procedures in managing the information technology (IT) department. 
         [0014]    According to an embodiment of the present invention, a system administrator can utilize a web service to enable computer system and/or network automation. The system administrator utilizes “web replay” to define desired procedures with a product and perform the desired procedures automatically upon invocation of a particular procedure. The administrator can then give other users access to specific procedures, and may import and export them to share across multiple systems. 
         [0015]    With reference now to  FIG. 1 , there is depicted a block diagram of an exemplary computer  100 , with which the present invention may be utilized. Computer  100  includes a processor unit  104  that is coupled to a system bus  106 . A video adapter  108 , which drives/supports a display  110 , is also coupled to system bus  106 . System bus  106  is coupled via a bus bridge  112  to an Input/Output (I/O) bus  114 . An I/O interface  116  is coupled to I/O bus  114 . I/O interface  116  affords communication with various I/O devices, including a keyboard  118 , a mouse  120 , a Compact Disk-Read Only Memory (CD-ROM) drive  122 , and a flash memory drive  126 . The format of the ports connected to I/O interface  116  may be any known to those skilled in the art of computer architecture, including but not limited to Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports. 
         [0016]    Computer  100  is able to communicate with a server  150  via a network  128  using a network interface  130 , which is coupled to system bus  106 . Network  128  may be an external network such as the Internet, or an internal network such as an Ethernet or a Virtual Private Network (VPN). 
         [0017]    A hard drive interface  132  is also coupled to system bus  106 . Hard drive interface  132  interfaces with a hard drive  134 . In one embodiment, hard drive  134  populates a system memory  136 , which is also coupled to system bus  106 . System memory  136  is defined as a lowest level of volatile memory in computer  100 . This volatile memory may include additional higher levels of volatile memory (not shown), including, but not limited to, cache memory, registers, and buffers. Code that populates system memory  136  includes an operating system (OS)  138  and application programs  144 . 
         [0018]    OS  138  includes a shell  140 , for providing transparent user access to resources such as application programs  144 . Generally, shell  140  (as it is called in UNIX®—UNIX is a registered trademark of The Open Group in the United States and other countries) is a program that provides an interpreter and an interface between the user and the operating system. Shell  140  provides a system prompt, interprets commands entered by keyboard  118 , mouse  120 , or other user input media, and sends the interpreted command(s) to the appropriate lower levels of the operating system (e.g., kernel  142 ) for processing. As depicted, OS  138  also includes kernel  142 , which includes lower levels of functionality for OS  138 . Kernel  142  provides essential services required by other parts of OS  138  and application programs  144 . The services provided by kernel  142  include memory management, process and task management, disk management, and I/O device management. 
         [0019]    Application programs  144  include a browser  146 . Browser  146  includes program modules and instructions enabling a World Wide Web (WWW) client (i.e., computer  100 ) to send and receive network messages to the Internet. Computer  100  may utilize HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) messaging to enable communication with server  150 . Application programs  144  in system memory  136  also includes provisioning manager  148  that further includes web replay module  149 . Graphical user interface (GUI)  200  enables a user to interface with provisioning manager  148  and web replay module  149 . Provisioning manager  148  and web replay module  149  perform the functions described below in  FIGS. 5-6 . 
         [0020]    The hardware elements depicted in computer  100  are not intended to be exhaustive, but rather represent and/or highlight certain components that may be utilized to practice the present invention. For instance, computer  100  may include alternate memory storage devices such as magnetic cassettes, Digital Versatile Disks (DVDs), Bernoulli cartridges, and the like. These and other variations are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0021]      FIG. 2  is a pictorial representation of a graphical user interface (GUI)  200  ( FIG. 1 ) of provisioning manager  148  ( FIG. 1 ) according to an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, GUI  200  includes a user interface to a collection of provisioning manager  148  ( FIG. 1 ) functions including a product tour, tutorials, information center, web resources (e.g., automation resources), and access to web-replay module  149  ( FIG. 1 ). Also, the web replay module  149  ( FIG. 1 ) includes a collection of previously recorded procedures  202  ( FIG. 2 ) that enable automated web-based processes. It should be noted that provisioning manager is just one example of this approach being used by a product. This approach would be followed by any other product having a web-based interface, or by a browser plug-in that could do this across any web interface the user is accessing in the browser. 
         [0022]      FIG. 3  is a pictorial representation of a GUI  200  ( FIG. 1 ) of provisioning manager  148  ( FIG. 1 ) and web replay  149  that has been put into a teaching mode according to an embodiment of the present invention. As depicted, selectable elements such as software products  302  ( FIG. 3 ) are highlighted within GUI  200  ( FIG. 1 ) as the user moves their mouse over the GUI informing the user what selectable elements web replay can record. When the user clicks on one of these highlighted boxes it is a signal to web replay module  149  to record that selectable element as a step in the procedure. The Install selectable element  304  was previously clicked upon in  FIG. 3  which signaled web replay to add Install as the next step  310  within the procedure. Web replay module  149  ( FIG. 1 ) includes control panel  306  ( FIG. 3 ), which enables a user to control the teaching mode of web replay  149 . The teaching mode of web replay module  198  ( FIG. 1 ) is discussed herein in more detail in conjunction with  FIG. 5 , the ability to record and a sequence of selectable elements enables web replay module  149  to play them back to enable web-based automation. 
         [0023]      FIG. 4  is a pictorial representation of GUI  200  ( FIG. 1 ) of provisioning manager  148  ( FIG. 1 ) and web replay  149  in an input capture mode according to an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, when the user selects capture data  420  ( FIG. 4 ) in the web replay control panel  306  all input data provided by the user in the provisioning manager GUI  148  will be captured as the next step in the procedure. Text input fields  402 ,  404 , and  406  are recorded, as are radio buttons  410  and a drop down list at  412 . All input fields are recorded in this manner, with a new data specification added to the procedure shown at  430 . As discussed herein in more detail in conjunction with  FIG. 5 , input capture mode enables provisioning manager  148  ( FIG. 1 ) to capture and playback data within input fields to enable web-based automation. 
         [0024]      FIG. 5  is a high-level logical flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for implementing a teaching mode for web replay according to an embodiment of the present invention. The process begins at step  500  and continues to step  502 , which illustrates provisioning manager  148  ( FIG. 1 ) receiving a command to create a new procedure. As shown in  FIG. 2 , a user indicates to provisioning manager  148  ( FIG. 1 ) that a new procedure is to be created by selecting the “new procedure” icon  204  ( FIG. 2 ) in web replay  149 . which enables web replay module  149  ( FIG. 1 ) to display its control panel  306  ( FIG. 3 ) and starts recording the procedure. The process continues to step  504 , which shows web replay  149  ( FIG. 1 ) receiving a command to place the newly-created procedure into “edit” mode. Edit mode enables web replay  149  ( FIG. 1 ) to enter into a teaching mode that allows adding selectable elements or data elements to the procedure. 
         [0025]    The process continues to step  506 , which illustrates provisioning manager  148  ( FIG. 1 ) determining if a cursor is placed over a selectable element. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a “selectable element” is an area in GUI  200  ( FIG. 1 ) where some action is invoked when selecting that area in GUI  200  ( FIG. 1 ). Example selectable elements are buttons, links, and any browser element having an “onclick” defined to that element. If provisioning manager  148  ( FIG. 1 ) determines that the cursor is placed over a selectable element, the process continues to step  510 , which illustrates provisioning manager  148  ( FIG. 1 ) creating and displaying a highlight around the selectable element. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the highlight may be a red box around the selectable element, such as the outline shown around software products  302  ( FIG. 3 ) in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0026]    The process continues to step  512 , which shows web replay  149  ( FIG. 1 ) determining if the user has selected the selectable element. If not, the process returns to step  506 . If the user has selected the selectable element, the process continues to step  514 , which illustrates web replay  149  ( FIG. 1 ) adding the element to the procedure. Web replay  149  will also select the element in the provisioning manager  148  GUI, as if the user clicked upon the element themselves. The process returns to step  506 . 
         [0027]    Returning to step  506 , if provisioning manager  148  ( FIG. 1 ) determines that the cursor is not placed over a selectable element, the process continues to step  508 , which illustrates provisioning manager  148  ( FIG. 1 ) removing any highlighting in GUI  200 , if any. The process continues to step  516 , which shows the provisioning manager  148  ( FIG. 1 ) determining if a user has selected an input capture mode from control panel  306  ( FIG. 3 ). Referring back to  FIG. 4  input fields  402 ,  404 ,  406 ,  410  and  412  ( FIG. 4 ) include data elements that are used as input in a form. Web replay  149  ( FIG. 1 ) determines if the user has selected the input capture mode based upon the user selecting the data capture button  420 . If so the process continues to step  518 , which illustrates web replay  149  ( FIG. 1 ) capturing data in input fields  402 ,  404 , and  406  ( FIG. 4 ) and adding the captured data elements in the procedure. The process returns to step  506 . 
         [0028]    If web replay  149  ( FIG. 1 ) determines that the user has not selected an input capture mode, the process continues to step  520 , which illustrates web replay  149  ( FIG. 1 ) determining if the user has completed defining the procedure. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the user may access control panel  306  ( FIG. 3 ) and select the save button  440  ( FIG. 4 ) to indicate the end of a procedure definition. If the user has not completed the procedure definition, the process returns to step  506 . If so, the process continues to step  522 , which illustrates web replay  149  ( FIG. 1 ) saving the defined procedure. The process ends, as shown in step  524 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 6  is a high level logical flowchart depicting the replay of a procedure according to an embodiment of the present invention. The process begins at step  600  and proceeds to step  602 , which illustrates web replay  149  ( FIG. 1 ) executing a procedure defined by the teaching mode discussed in conjunction with  FIG. 5 . The process continues to step  604 , which illustrates web replay  149  ( FIG. 1 ) determining if the current element in the procedure is an action or a data specification. According to an embodiment of the present invention, an “action” is defined as a selection of a selectable element. A “data specification” is a form that must be filled with information that was captured during an input capture mode as discussed in conjunction with  FIG. 5 . 
         [0030]    If the current element is an action, the process continues to step  606 , which illustrates web replay  149  ( FIG. 1 ) determining if the action is a manual (needs a user to actually make the selection) or an automatic (selection made without user intervention) action. If the action is a manual action, the process continues to step  608 , which illustrates web replay  149  ( FIG. 1 ) displaying a highlight over the selectable element. The process continues to step  610 , which depicts web replay  149  ( FIG. 1 ) waiting for a user to select the highlighted element in GUI  200  ( FIG. 1 ). The process continues to step  612 , which illustrates web replay  149  ( FIG. 1 ) selecting the element which actually performs the action in the provisioning manager  148  GUI. The process then proceeds to step  616 . 
         [0031]    Returning to step  604 , if the current element is a data specification (e.g., a form that includes queries that require input data, etc.), the process continues to step  614 , which illustrates web replay  149  ( FIG. 1 ) applying information captured during an input capture mode as discussed in conjunction with  FIG. 5 . The process continues to step  616 , which illustrates web replay  149  ( FIG. 1 ) determining if there are any more elements in the procedure. If not, the process ends, as shown in step  618 . If so, the process returns to step  604 . 
         [0032]    When a user wishes to add an action (e.g., a selection of a selectable element) or a data specification to a procedure, web replay  149  will capture information about the added action or data specification. Depending how any given panel in the GUI is presented, there may be varying degrees of information to reply upon, so web replay  149  gathers as much information as possible. Web replay  149  employs multiple schemes to attempt to locate a particular selectable element or data specification during the future replay of a procedure. 
         [0033]    During the future replay of a procedure, each selectable element or data specification within the procedure must be located within the GUI to be processed. To locate a selectable element, web replay  149 :
   (1) Attempts to locate the selectable element by ID. If an ID is present, the ID should be unique within the GUI to easily locate the selectable element.   (2) Locates the owning frame of the selectable element. If there is no owning frame, utilize a time within the GUI to try again in a short amount of time (e.g., 200 ms). Prior steps in the procedure could be driving actions that take time to process, which delays the appearance of an owning frame. Reducing the scope of the search for the selectable element to a known owning frame reduces the occurrence of bad hits.   (3) Locates all auxiliary frames and forms. When the procedure was created, the particular selectable element was on a page that generally has a small set of frames, iframes, and/or forms. Presence of these same entities on playback helps insure that provisioning manager  148  has reached the same state before web replay  149  allows the procedure to continue.   (4) Gets a list of all selectable elements of the same type within the frame&#39;s document.   (5) Loops through the selectable elements until web replay  149  finds a solid match:   (a) Does the selectable element have the same name or display name? Does the selectable element&#39;s hierarchy and positional hierarchy match?   (b) Does the selectable element&#39;s inner text match? Does the selectable element&#39;s hierarchy and positional hierarchy math?   (c) Is the selectable element an OPTION HTML type and does its value match?   (d) If there is no match yet, do any of the preceding three items match when considering a shorter positional hierarchy or plain shorter hierarchy? If so, remember as “best match” so far (positional hierarchy has precedence). The “short” hierarchy is used mainly to account for updates in provisioning manager  148  GUI across releases, where selectable elements are merely moved around the page. If an update is released, the short hierarchy should locate the selectable element whereas the full hierarchy may not.   (6) Utilizing the “best match”, if available, if there is no solid match. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a customization setting may be available to control how close of a match must be found before being utilized.   (7) Setting a timer and trying again in a predetermined amount of time (e.g., 200 ms). However. If a predetermined longer period of time has elapsed, sending a notification to a user or system administrator to report the failure of a particular step in the procedure replay.   
 
         [0045]    When processing a data specification, web replay  149 :
   (1) Loops through all identified forms   (a) Locates the owning frame of the form. If the owning frame does not exist, utilizing a timer within the GUI to try again in a short amount of time (e.g., 200 ms). Previous steps in the procedure could be driving actions that take several seconds to process, before the owning frame appears in the GUI.   (b) Locates all auxiliary frames and forms. When the procedure was created, the form was on a page that generally has a small set of frames, iframes, and/or forms. Presence information of these same entities on playback of the procedure helps insure that provisioning manager  148  has reached the same state before allowing playback to continue.   (c) Locates the form within the owning frame. First utilize the form&#39;s ID if present, then utilize its name in conjunction with the hierarchy and positional hierarchy as previously described. If the form cannot be found, utilize a timer to try again in a predetermined amount of time (e.g., 200 ms).   (d) Loops through all attributes saved in the procedure for this form:   (i) Locates the corresponding element with the GUI   (ii) Attempts to locate the corresponding element by ID.   (iii) Does the GUI element have the same name or display name? Does the GUT element&#39;s hierarchy and positional hierarchy match as previously described?   (iv) If no match is found yet, does the preceding item match when considering a shorter positional hierarchy or plain shorter hierarchy? If so, this match is considered a “best match”.   (3) If there is still no match, a timer is utilized to try the entire process again in a predetermined period of time (e.g., 200 ms). However, if a longer period of time has elapsed, web replay  149  reports an error to a user or system administrator.   
 
         [0056]    The following information is retained for a selectable element:
   (1) Owning frame: The owning frame that includes the selectable element. The “owning frame” identity includes several components:   (i) ED: The ID corresponds to the “id” attribute on the document object model (DOM) element if it is present. This is the best data to rely upon as this ID is unique within a GUI.   (ii) Name: The name corresponds to the “name” attribute on the DOM element if it is present   (iii) Hierarchy: The hierarchy is the concatenation of the nodeName attribute (DOM element type) of all ancestors.   (iv) Positional Hierarchy: The positional hierarchy is the concatenation of the nodeName attribute (DOM attribute type) of all ancestors, along with index of each ancestor within its parents list of children.   (2) Auxiliary Frames: Auxiliary frames identify other frames present within the GUI.   (3) Auxiliary Forms: Auxiliary Forms identify the forms present in the GUI.   (4) Name   (5) Type: The type of element captured in the procedure.   (6) Subtype: The further definition of an element (e.g., radio buttons, check boxes, text entry fields, etc.)   (7) Display name: Display name corresponds to any type of textual label for an element.   (8) Inner text: Inner text is text data that corresponds to a particular element and any related child elements.   (9) Hierarchy: Hierarchy is a concatenation of the nodeName attribute (DOM element type) of all ancestors   (10) Positional Hierarchy: Positional Hierarchy is a concatenation of the nodeName attribute of all ancestors, along with an index of each ancestor within its parent&#39;s list of children.   (11) Short Hierarchy: The Short Hierarchy is a concatenation of the nodeName attribute of all ancestors, up until the first ancestor that is typically utilized for layout.   (12) Short Positional Hierarchy: The Short Positional Hierarchy is similar to the Short Hierarchy, but also includes the index of each ancestor within its parent&#39;s list of children.   
 
         [0073]    The following information is retained for a data specification:
   (1) Owning frame: The owning frame that includes the form. The “owning frame” identity includes several components:   (i) ID: The ID corresponds to the “id” attribute on the document object model (DOM) element if it is present. This is the best data to rely upon as this ID is unique within a GUI.   (ii) Name: The name corresponds to the “name” attribute on the DOM element if it is present   (iii) Hierarchy   (iv) Positional Hierarchy:   (2) Auxiliary Frames: Auxiliary frames identify other frames present within the GUI.   (3) Auxiliary Forms: Auxiliary Forms identify the forms present in the GUI.   (i) Name   (ii) Type: The type of element captured in the procedure.   (iii) Hierarchy: Hierarchy is a concatenation of the nodeName attribute (DOM element type) of all ancestors   (iv) Positional Hierarchy: Positional Hierarchy is a concatenation of the nodeName attribute of all ancestors, along with an index of each ancestor within its parent&#39;s list of children.   (v) Short Hierarchy: The Short Hierarchy is a concatenation of the nodeName attribute of all ancestors, up until the first ancestor that is typically utilized for layout.   (vi) Short Positional Hierarchy: The Short Positional Hierarchy is similar to the Short Hierarchy, but also includes the index of each ancestor within its parent&#39;s list of children.   (vii) Value: Value represents the element&#39;s value captured while creating the procedure.   
 
         [0088]    Note that 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 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. 
         [0089]    The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. 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. 
         [0090]    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 description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 
         [0091]    Having thus described the invention of the present application in detail and by reference to embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.