Patent Publication Number: US-11030245-B2

Title: System and methods for retrieving data using a database configuration file

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The disclosed subject matter relates to data retrieval, and more specifically to a system and methods for displaying data retrieved from data sources on a web portal. In particular, the disclosed subject matter relates to a portal with one or more portlets that are designed to display information from diverse data sources. Retrieved data is typically presented in web pages or web-based graphical user interfaces. 
     Services relating to data retrieval can be implemented as software components that provide content and/or functionality to remote web applications through the Internet. Remote applications can submit requests for information to web services and receive content in return. Similarly, applications can pass queries to web services by deploying configuration files that contain information regarding the data source, various search filters and display options. A result is returned from the web service to the application based on the queries. Web service content can be passed to a client of the application where it can be displayed, processed, or otherwise utilized. 
     SUMMARY 
     Various applications for retrieving data from data sources and displaying the retrieved data on user or client terminals are known. However, each application can retrieve only a specific type of data or data from a specific data source. Further, such applications also need to be present locally on a user or a client terminal. 
     Some related arts access data from multiple data sources and store the retrieved data in a data warehouse. The data stored on the data warehouse is then displayed on the client or user terminals. However, the data stored in the data warehouse may be in a raw format and further formatting of the data is required before the data can be displayed. Further, data retrieval processes are generally implemented by an application server. An application server can be any software framework that facilitates the creation of web applications and a server environment to run them. It behaves as a virtual machine to run applications and handles connections to data sources on one end and connections to the client terminal or user terminal through a web client or web portal on the other. Often, using only an application server or a cluster of application servers can limit the dynamic delivery of information. Additional processing functions need to be performed by an end-user or client to obtain information in a customized format. Complex client applications are required to process the data retrieved. 
     Some related arts use applications present on the client terminals to format and display retrieved data. However, such applications format the retrieved data based on predetermined algorithms without providing any option to a user to control the presentation of the retrieved data. 
     It may therefore be beneficial to provide systems and methods to retrieve data from one or more data sources and display the data in accordance with user-defined display options and data retrieval filters. Specifically, it may be beneficial to generate one or more portlets to facilitate retrieval of data in a legible format without using any applications stored locally on a client or user terminal. One or more portlets are generated by a portal server to facilitate a single point of access to data from data sources for end-users or clients. 
     It may also be beneficial to provide systems and methods to retrieve data from multiple data sources and store the retrieved data in a database in a predetermined format. The stored data is displayed in accordance with user-defined display options and data retrieval filters without the need for any local applications or programming to format the retrieved data. 
     It may also be beneficial to provide a specification-compliant, end-user-configurable portlet that allows a user to quickly access and return database data using a portal server and present it in a useful format, without programming. Using a web-interface designed for a non-technical end-user, a series of data-presentation options may be selected or configured and saved to an XML (Extensible Markup Language) configuration file. A portal server, with the portlet installed, may be used to present a view of the data as per the configuration options stored in the XML configuration file. Examples of available configuration options include data retrieval filters, data export formats (XML format, Comma Separated Values or CSV format), and various levels of summary and detail. 
     It may also be beneficial to provide a specification-compliant, end-user-configurable portlet that allows a user to quickly access and return database data using a portal server and present it in a useful format, without programming. Using a web-interface designed for a non-technical end-user, a series of data-presentation options may be selected or configured and saved to multiple XML configuration files. A set of display options may be saved to a first XML configuration file and a set of data retrieval filters is saved to a second XML configuration file. A portal server, with the portlet installed, may be used to retrieve data as per the set of data retrieval filters stored in the second XML configuration file and present a view of the data as per the display options stored in the first XML configuration file. 
     It may also be beneficial to provide methods enabling a user to create one or more configuration files which dictate certain display options. For example, each configuration file corresponds to a specific user&#39;s desired data feeds and/or display options 
     Some embodiments are directed to a method for exchanging data between a user and a data source, the method comprising configuring a non-transitory computer readable medium to access at least one set of data from the data source via a data source query in accordance with options specified in a first XML configuration file, the first XML configuration file further specifying a first set of display options, wherein the first XML configuration file is defined by the user. The method further includes selecting a second XML configuration file according to options specified in the first XML configuration file; the second XML configuration file specifying a set of data retrieval filters; retrieving data from the data source in accordance with parameters specified in both the first XML configuration file and the second XML configuration file; storing the data in a database; and displaying the data in accordance with at least one of the first set display options specified in the set of display options specified in the first XML configuration file. 
     Some other embodiments are directed to a method of retrieving data from a data source, the method comprising receiving a set of display options, a first set of data retrieval filters from a user via a user interface and a selection option, wherein the set of display options and the first set of data retrieval filters correspond to the data source, and wherein the selection option corresponds to a second XML configuration file. The method also includes embedding the first set of data retrieval filters, the set of display options and the selection option into a first XML configuration file. The method further includes selecting the second XML configuration file based on the selection option, the second XML configuration further comprising a second set of data retrieval filters; retrieving a set of data from the data source in accordance with the first set of data retrieval filters embedded in the first XML configuration file and the second set of data retrieval filters specified in the second XML configuration file; storing the set of data in a database in accordance with a predefined format; and generating one or more portlets to display the set of data to the user in accordance with the set of display options. 
     Yet other embodiments are directed to a system for exchanging data between a user and a data source, the system comprising a portal configured to receive a data source query from the user, the data source query corresponding to a data source; a processor configured to generate a first XML configuration file based on the data source query, the first XML configuration file including a set of display options, a first set of data retrieval filters and a selection option indicative of at least one of a memory location of a second XML configuration file, the second XML configuration further comprising a second set of data retrieval filters; and a portal server communicably coupled to the portal. The portal server is configured to retrieve the second XML configuration file from the memory location specified in the selection option; retrieve a set of data from the data source in accordance with the first set of data retrieval filters embedded in the first XML configuration file and the second set of data retrieval filters specified in the second XML configuration file; store the set of data in a database in accordance with a predefined format; and generate one or more portlets to display the set of data on the portal in accordance with the set of display options. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein are best understood from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the embodiments disclosed herein, there is shown in the drawings embodiments that are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to the specific instrumentalities disclosed. Included in the drawings are the following figures: 
         FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C  illustrate various exemplary systems for retrieving and displaying data with a Data Integration Portlet in accordance with the disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates the Data Integration Portlet in accordance with the disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic of a user interface shown on a portal page in accordance with the disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart of an exemplary method of retrieving data in accordance with the disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart of an exemplary method of retrieving data in accordance with the disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 6  is a computer system that can be used to implement various exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     A few inventive aspects of the disclosed embodiments are explained in detail below with reference to the various figures. Exemplary embodiments are described to illustrate the disclosed subject matter, not to limit its scope, which is defined by the claims. Those of ordinary skill, in the art will recognize a number of equivalent variations of the various features provided in the description that follows. 
     I. Server Environment 
       FIG. 1A  is an illustration of a system  100  in accordance with the disclosed subject matter. The system  100  is configured to retrieve and display data. Specifically, the system  100  facilitates exchange of data between a user terminal  108  (hereinafter user  108 ) and one or more data sources  102  through one or more portlets installed on a portal server  104 . In some instances, the portal server  104  may be positioned in series with the user terminal, or may even be configured as a part of the user terminal itself (such as an app, OS routine, or the like). The data to be exchanged is retrieved in accordance with an Extensible Markup Language (XML) configuration file that may contain various forms of information. This information can include, but is not limited to, connection information, display preference information, and data source query information. The XML file can also include data retrieval filters, keywords, metadata or metadata tracking information and so forth. 
     The data sources  102   a  to  102   n  (hereinafter collectively termed  102 ) are intended to be any type of data source including social media networks, search engines, portals, remote servers, network storage units, etc. Embodiments are also intended to include or otherwise cover any other type of data source. The data sources  102  are merely provided for exemplary purposes, and the various inventive aspects are intended to be applied to any type of data source on a network  106  connected to a portal server  104  and a user terminal  108  (hereinafter referred to as “the user  108 ”). 
     The network  106  may include a data network such as, but not restricted to, the Internet, local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), etc. In certain embodiments, the communication network  106  can include a wireless network, such as, but not restricted to, a cellular network and may employ various technologies including enhanced data rates for global evolution (EDGE), general packet radio service (GPRS), global system for mobile communications (GSM), Internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS), universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) etc. In some embodiments, the communication network  106  may include or otherwise cover networks or subnetworks, each of which may include, for example, a wired or wireless data pathway. The communication network  106  may include a circuit-switched voice network, a packet-switched data network, or any other network capable for carrying electronic communications. For example, the network may include networks based on the Internet protocol (IP) or asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), and may support voice usage, for example, VoIP, Voice-over-ATM, or other comparable protocols used for voice data communications. In one implementation, the network includes a cellular telephone network configured to enable exchange of text or SMS messages. 
     Examples of the network  106  may further include, but are not limited to, a personal area network (PAN), a storage area network (SAN), a home area network (HAN), a campus area network (CAN), a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a virtual private network (VPN), an enterprise private network (EPN), Internet, a global area network (GAN), and so forth. Embodiments are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of network, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies to connect the data sources  102 , the portal server  104  and the user  108  with each other. 
     The user  108  is intended to include any electronic device, such as desktop computers, portable computers, smartphones, tablet computers, wearable devices, and the like. The user  108  may also include a display unit (not shown) for displaying any data. The display unit can include, but not limited to, a Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) display, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), a Light Emitting Diode (LED) display, and the like. Embodiments are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of display, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. 
     The portal server  104  generates a Data Interchange Portlet  110  (hereinafter DIP) that is a specification-compliant, end-user-configurable portlet that allows a user  108  to quickly access and return database data using a portal server and present it in a useful format, without any substantial programming beyond the generation of the XML configuration file. In some embodiments, the DIP  110  may be part of the user  108 , as seen in  FIG. 1A . In some other embodiments, the DIP  110  may be part of the portal server  104  (shown in  FIG. 1B ) or may be placed next to the user  108  (shown in  FIG. 1C ). 
     Through a web-interface designed for a non-technical end-user, a series of data-presentation options may be selected (configured) and saved into an XML configuration file. The XML configuration file can also be manually configured. For example, the XML configuration file may be configured in a word processing application. The portal server  104 , with the DIP  110  installed, is used to present a view of the data as per the configuration options stored in the XML configuration file. Examples of available configuration options include data retrieval filters, data export formats (XML format, csv format), and various levels of summary and detail. The XML configuration file may include artistic guidelines, such as displaying a three-day weather forecast in the top-left corner of a portal page, and news in the bottom-right corner the portal page. The XML file may also be arbitrarily specific, such as weather in Seattle being displayed in the top left of the portal page, while arrest reports from anyone in Miami named “Edward” being displayed in the bottom right corner of the portal page. 
     In some embodiments, a processor (not shown) associated with the user  108  may generate the XML configuration file and store it on a memory (not shown) associated with the user  108 . Further, the portal server  104  may be communicably coupled to the user  108  in order to access the configuration options stored in the XML configuration file. In other embodiments, the processor that generates the XML configuration file may be associated with the portal server  104 . 
     The portal can be a web portal or an enterprise portal and is configured to aggregate data from different sources and display the aggregated data. In an embodiment, the portal is a web page that brings information together from diverse sources. Each piece of information from a specific source gets a dedicated display or presentation area on the portal as defined by an end-user or web designer. The dedicated display or presentation area is handled or managed by one or more portlets. Portlets are applications used by a data portal website to receive requests from a client terminal or a user terminal and return information. In some embodiments, the portal server  104  is the middleware between an application server (not shown) and the user  108 . The portal server  104  can run on top of an application server or a cluster of application servers. The application server or the cluster of application servers can host web applications related to data retrieval. 
     II. Portals and the Data Integration Portlet 
     A web portal is a specially designed web site that brings information together from diverse sources in a uniform way. Usually, each information source gets its dedicated area on the page for displaying information (a portlet); often, the end-user can configure which ones to display. Variants of portals include mashups and intranet “dashboards” for executives and managers. The extent to which content is displayed may depend on the intended end-user and the intended purpose, as well as the diversity of the content. Very often design emphasis is on a certain “metaphor” for configuring and customizing the presentation of the content and the chosen implementation framework and/or code libraries. In addition, the role of the end-user in an organization may determine which content can be added to the portal or deleted from the portal configuration. 
     A portal may use a search engine application program interface (API) to permit end-users to search intranet content as opposed to extranet content by restricting which domains may be searched. Apart from this common search engines feature, web portals may offer other services such as e-mail, news, stock quotes, information from databases and even entertainment content. Portals provide a way for enterprises and organizations to provide a consistent look and feel with access control and procedures for multiple applications and databases, which otherwise would have been different web entities at various uniform resource locators (URL). The features available may be restricted by whether access is by an authorized and authenticated end-user (employee member) or an anonymous site visitor. 
     Portal servers provide a central platform for accessing web content and resources (data, docs, apps, integrations, alerts, etc.). A core feature of a portal is to provide a central URL that permits an end-user to have a custom web experience based upon the end-users&#39; login identity. This functionality is termed role-based content delivery, or RBCD, and is a main focus for portals. 
     Websites based on Role-based Content Delivery (RBCD) allow an enterprise to develop a central web platform. Enterprises can then advertise a single website, and thereby increase the usage of the entire enterprise&#39;s resources as the central portal can integrate or guide end-users to other resources. RBCD has allowed administrators to build portal pages for different end-user types to customize the end-user experience based on an end-user&#39;s “formal identity,” such as a salesperson, engineer or manager. 
     Given that portal pages can include both applications (portlets and widgets) and web content, many portals have begun supporting integration to an external web content management system (WCMS) allowing content to be created or managed in a WCMS that appears in a portal page. This two-step process of adding content prompted some other portals to create an embedded WCMS. 
     Portals additionally have begun to focus on end-users, allowing such end-users to interact with the system. End-users are often allowed to create their own pages or sites, to add collaboration apps to those pages and to define end-user access to those pages. Many portals also enable power end-users to have added features, such as web forms, workflows, dynamic lists and polls. 
     This focus on enabling the end-user, combined with RBCD, allows a central site to enable both the formal organizational structure as well as the informal organizational structure (a.k.a., social collaboration) and is a major difference between portals and many WCMS systems. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a system  200  including a Data Integration Portlet (DIP)  204 , installed and placed on the portal server  104 , in conjunction with the user  108 , the data source  210 , the data source  212  and/or the data source  214 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the user  108  can create one or more configuration files (1-N as labeled above) which will dictate certain display options. For example, each of a first set of configuration files can correspond to a specific user&#39;s desired data feeds and/or display options  202  (e.g., configuration file 1 for John, configuration file 2 for Heather, and so forth). Alternatively, each of the first set of configuration files can correspond to different topics of interest, such as weather forecasts around a country (configuration file 1), political news (configuration file 2), etc. Each of the first set of configuration files can also set the display options that will ultimately appear in the portal page. Each of the first set of configuration files can also point to a second XML configuration file  216 , stored on a memory associated with the user  108  or stored on a network storage memory through a selection option. The second XML configuration file  216  is a preset configuration file which can be associated with a data feeds separate from a first XML configuration file created by the user  108 . The first XML configuration file can include a first set of display options, a first set of data retrieval filters, a first set of connection information and the selection option in accordance with the user-defined data source query. The second XML configuration file  216  can include a second set of connection information and a second set of data retrieval filters. In some other embodiments, the second XML configuration file can include a second set of display options. 
     The second XML configuration file  216  can be stored on the network storage memory which includes, but is not limited to, a cloud storage on the internet, a network storage device and the like. Further, the second XML configuration file  216  can also be stored in a memory local to the user  108  or can be uploaded by an end-user from a removable memory device communicably coupled to the user  108 . The removable memory can be a flash memory, a floppy disk drive, an optical disc, and so forth. 
     The user  108  can create queries based on the data to be retrieved. Each query can create one or more configuration files. The queries include, but are not limited to, data retrieval filters, display options and a selection option. The configuration file information includes connection information, display options and data retrieval filters. Connection information includes, but is not limited to, IP addresses, subnet masks, domain name server addresses, host name and suffix, execution parameters, and system information pertaining to the user  108  and/or the portal server  104 . Display options include, but are not limited to, at least one of a tabular layout, a chart layout, a news layout, a form layout, and a bullet layout. The data retrieval filters include one or more identities indicative of a data source illustrated in  FIG. 2 , as the data source  210 , the data source  212  and/or the data source  214 . The second set of data retrieval filters, included in the second XML configuration file  216 , are also indicative of data sources  210 ,  212  and/or  214 . The second set of data retrieval filters can also be indicative of whether the data source specified is a relational database, a key-value store or a document store. Accordingly, parameters indicative of a native language of the specified data source are also included in the second XML configuration file  216 . The second XML configuration file therefore provides the configuration information that is used to identify the data source from which data is to be retrieved. The portal server  104  can also determine the phrasing of the query depending on the second set of data retrieval filters. For example, if the data source specified is an IBM Watson™ server, the query transmitted to the WATSON server is a natural language query. The natural language query can be then processed accordingly. Alternatively, if the data source specified in the second XML configuration file  216  is identified to be a Sequential Query Language (SQL) database, the query transmitted to the appropriate data source is parsed accordingly. 
     In some embodiments, the first and second set of data retrieval filters, and corresponding configuration information embedded in the first and second XML configuration file can also facilitate retrieval of data from multiple data sources concurrently. For example, an end-user may provide a query to the system  200  to retrieve and display pictures of a celebrity from the data source  210 , which can be a social network. The query further includes retrieval of pictures of the celebrity with a specific haircut from the data source  212 . Accordingly, the first set of data retrieval filters correspond to retrieving data from the data source  210  and the second set of data retrieval filters correspond to retrieving data from the data source  212 . 
     The portal server  104  includes a non-transitory computer readable medium that is configured to access data from the data source  210 , the data source  212  and/or the data source  214 . In other embodiments, the portal server  104  includes a non-transitory computer readable medium that is configured to access data from multiple data sources not limited to the data source  210 , data source  212  and/or data source  214 . The non-transitory computer readable medium may be a set of instructions executable by the portal server  104  to carry out various operations including, but not limited to, accessing and retrieving data, storing data, generating portlets and displaying data through the portlets. In some embodiments, the non-transitory computer readable medium can be configured by the portal server  104  to carry out various operations. Further, configuring the non-transitory computer readable medium may include executing the instructions stored therein. 
     The Data Integration Portlet (DIP)  204  is installed on the portal server  104 . One or more XML configuration files provide connection information, a selection option, user-defined display options and data retrieval filters to the portal server  104  using the DIP  204 . In some embodiments, the connection information, the selection option, user-defined display options and data retrieval filters form a user-defined data source query. The first XML configuration file containing the user-defined data source query is extracted to a configuration file database  206 . The portal server  104 , through the DIP  204 , further uses the data source query defined by the user  108  to extract data from multiple tables within an information database  208 . In some embodiments, the information database  208  may be a relational database and/or an object-relational database. The information database  208  organizes data into one or more tables of columns and rows with a key identifying a row and/or column in each table. The keys for each row and/or column are used to define logical connections (called relationships) among the tables. Based on the user-defined queries, the data residing in the tables are manipulated such that the data is presented at the user  108  in a legible format. The data stored in multiple tables on the information database  208  is retrieved from any or a combination of the data source  210 , the data source  212  and/or the data source  214 . In some embodiments, the data may be retrieved in real time as per the data source query received at the portal server  104  using the DIP  204 . In some other embodiments, the data may have been retrieved before a data source query is received at the portal server  104  using the DIP  204 . 
     In some embodiments, the selection option in the user-defined query is indicative of utilizing display options, connection information and data retrieval filters from the second XML configuration file  216 . The selection option is also indicative of a memory location at which the second XML configuration  216  is stored. A second set of connection information and a second set of data retrieval filters specified in the second XML configuration are retrieved and embedded in the first XML configuration file. In other embodiments, the second XML configuration file  216  is extracted to the configuration file database  206 . 
     In some embodiments, the configuration file database  206  may be a relational database that contains the user-defined queries retrieved from the XML configuration files. The data retrieval filters and the display options are stored in one or more tables with a key identifying a row and/or column in each table. The keys are used to define logical connections or relationships among the tables. 
     The portal server  104  includes a set of software applications that enables generation of portals. The portal server  104  further acts as a single access point for the user  108  to retrieve data from the data source  210 , the data source  212  and/or the data source  214 . Data extracted by the portal server  104  is stored in an information database  208  in a predefined format. The predefined format corresponds to the data being organized in multiple tables with a key identifying a row and/or column in each table in the data. Logical connections between the rows and columns of one table and the rows and columns of another table 
     The portal server  104  can transform the data retrieved from the data source  210 , the data source  212  and/or the data source  214  in accordance with the predefined format and populate the tables of the database  208  with the data retrieved from the data sources  210 ,  212  and/or  214 . The portal server  104  can implement various algorithms to convert or transform the retrieved data including, but not limited to, including statistical methods, probabilistic methods, and so forth. In case, any data does not include an entry corresponding to any of the tables, the tables are left blank. Therefore, the information database  208  may allow standardization of data from different data sources, and enable quick display of the stored data in accordance with the predefined format, and the set of display options embedded in the first XML configuration file. 
     In an embodiment, the user queries, the display options and the data retrieval filters may be obtained via a user interface which will be described in detail hereinafter. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a user interface  300  presented on the user  108 . The user interface  300  includes fields for various query parameters. The fields include, but are not limited to, a body field  302 , a username field  304 , query creation dates field  306 , a query title or case field  308 , a language filter field  310 , date/time stamp details field  312 , a data source field  314 , location filters field  316 , authenticate filters field  318 , a selection field  320  for enabling additional configuration options through a second XML configuration file and a field  324  for hyperlink filters. Results are displayed according to choices made in the aforementioned fields at a results field  326 . The radio button  322  is utilized to provide location details pertaining to the second XML configuration file. In some embodiments, the radio button  322  leads to a dialog window or an additional form on which details pertaining to the location of the second XML configuration file is given by an end-user. In some other embodiments, the second XML configuration file is selected by default by the portal server  104 . 
     In some embodiments, the results field  326  is associated with one or more portlets. Each of the fields  302  to  324  and the results field  326  correspond to one or more portlets generated by the portal server  104 . Further, the results are displayed through a first portlet  326   a  and a second portlet  326   b . The portlet  326   a  and the portlet  326   b  may be generated by the portal server  104 . 
     Choices made on the user interface  300  form the data source query and is embedded into a first Extensible Markup language (XML) configuration file stored on the user  108 . An example of the information stored in the first XML configuration file is shown below: 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 &lt;QuerySettings&gt; 
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                   
                 &lt;DatabaseVendor&gt;PostgreSQL&lt;/DatabaseVendor&gt; 
               
               
                   
                 &lt;Connection&gt; 
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                   
                 &lt;ConnectionID&gt;2&lt;/ConnectionID&gt; 
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                   
                 &lt;/Connection&gt; 
               
               
                   
                 &lt;QueryString&gt;SELECT verifiedimg, verifiedyn, username, 
               
            
           
           
               
            
               
                 displayname, authorkloutscore, useractivitycount, friends, 
               
               
                 followers, listedcount, favoritescount, retweetcount, 
               
               
                 generator, verified, profileimgurl, network, created, createdyear, 
               
               
                 createdmonth, createdday, body, isre, origobjsrcid, objectsrcunid, 
               
               
                 origauthor, sourceid, hashtags, 
               
               
                 languages, expandedurls, verb, usermentionsnames, usermentionsids, 
               
               
                 mediaurls, lon, lat, headline, 
               
               
                 tagline, createdby, objectcreateddate, geocoordinates, 
               
               
                 linktoobject, resultid, Geocoded, globe, resultid, id, userbiolocation, 
               
               
                 mediatype, usermentionsscreennames, actorid, verified, userbiolocation, 
               
               
                 sentiment_tag, sentiment_score, user_sentiment_votes, 
               
               
                 user_sentiment_average, user_sentiment_mode, 
               
               
                 user_sentiment_median, mediayn, tsv_body 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     The above is a snippet from the exemplary first XML configuration file used in accordance with the disclosed subject matter. Each of the first XML configuration files uses a single query extracted from the input through the user interface  300  to retrieve data from multiple tables within the information database  208 . 
     The first XML configuration file is used for the processing, definition and presentation of data on the user interface  300 . Through the first XML configuration file, code is specified for formatting various layouts and styles pertaining to presentation of data. The first XML configuration file, as seen in the sample code above, includes the user-defined query, that further includes selection options, a first set of communication information, a first set of display options and a first set of data retrieval filters, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The first XML configuration file provides connection information to enable a connection between the user  108  and the information database  208  (in the current example the information database  208  being an object-relational database provided by PostgreSQL®). Further, a selection option enabling the extraction of a second set of communication information and/or a second set of data retrieval filters from the second XML configuration file is provided. In some embodiments, the selection option may enable the extraction of a second set of display options. The selection option includes a flag to enable of selection of the second XML configuration file and file location details pertaining to the second XML configuration file. In some embodiments, the second XML configuration file can use XML code similar to the aforementioned snippet. In the above snippet, the “Querystring” tag provides the multiple fields shown in  FIG. 3  as the fields  302  to  324 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the data source query including the first set of display options, the first set of data retrieval filters and the first set of communication information specified in the first XML configuration file is augmented with the second set of display filters, the second set of data retrieval filters and the second set of communication information specified in the second XML configuration file. Data is retrieved from the data source  210 , the data source  212  and/or the data source  214  in accordance with the augmented data source query. For example, the first XML configuration file may specify that data retrieved from the data source  210  is to be shown in the first portlet  326   a , while the second XML configuration file may specify that data retrieved from the data source  212  is to be shown in the second portlet  326   b . Therefore, the portal server  104  can use the augmented data source query based on a combination of the first and second XML configuration files, and display the data retrieved from the data sources  210  and  212  in the first and second portlets  326   a ,  326   b , respectively. 
     In some embodiments, the selection option in the first XML configuration file further comprises a priority option that is indicative of a priority between the first XML configuration file and the second XML configuration file. The priority option may be displayed in a form based interface after an end-user has selected the selection field  320 . The portal server  104  identifies the sets of display options and the sets of data retrieval filters common to the first XML configuration file and the second XML configuration file. Based on the priority indicated, the portal server  104  selects the appropriate set of data retrieval filters and the set of display options. For example, both the first XML configuration file and the second XML configuration file may indicate that the data retrieved is to be displayed in the first portlet  326   a . However, according to the first set of data retrieval filters, data is to be retrieved from the data source  212 , while the second set of data retrieval filters direct the data to be retrieved from the data source  210 . With the priority option indicating that the first XML configuration file supersedes the second XML configuration file, the portal server  104  displays the data retrieved from data source  212  at the first portlet  326   a  and the data retrieved from the data source  210  at the second portlet  326   b.    
     The first XML configuration file and the second XML configuration file further act as tools to transport the user-defined query information from the user  108  to the configuration file database  206  and the information database  208 . Subsequently, based on the user-defined query, the portal server  104  extracts the data corresponding to the retrieval filters specified at the fields  302  to  324  from the data source specified at the data source field  314 . The data is extracted in a predefined format at the information database  208 . Subsequently, the extracted data is presented based on the display options specified in the user-defined query through the portlets corresponding to the results field  326  as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     In order for a single query, such as that shown in the XML sample above, to retrieve data from multiple sources, the data would need to exist in any of the data source  210 , the data source  212  and/or the data source  214  and in the information database  208  specified in the query. 
     The database connection details or connection information, such as that referenced in the XML code above, are specified in the first XML configuration file and/or in the second XML configuration file. In some embodiments, the connection information in the first and second XML configuration files may be combined to access the data. 
     III. Exemplary Embodiments 
     In an exemplary embodiment, a first XML configuration file is generated at the user  108  with a user-defined query embedded. The user-defined query includes a first set of connection information, a selection option, a first set of data retrieval filters and a first set of display options. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the fields  302  to  324  in the user interface  300  are populated such that user-defined options relating to the selection option, the first set of data retrieval filters and the first set of display options are specified. The user interface  300  is displayed on a display interface (not shown) that is included with the user  108 . In accordance with the sample XML code above, the populated fields  302  to  324  enable selections of the query strings such that the first data source query is created and embedded into the first XML configuration file. 
     Using the DIP  204  that is installed on the portal server  104 , the first user-defined query, along with other configuration information contained in the first XML configuration file, is transmitted to the configuration file database  206 . If the selection field  320  is enabled and location details for a second XML configuration file is provided by an end-user through the radio button  322 , the configuration information from the second XML configuration file including a second set of display options, and/or a second set of data retrieval filters, is extracted to the configuration file database  206  along with the user-defined query from the first XML configuration file. 
     The second XML configuration file provides the configuration information that is used to identify the data sources  210 ,  212  and/or  214 . The first set of data retrieval filters and corresponding configuration information embedded in the first XML configuration file and the second set of data retrieval filters and corresponding configuration information embedded in the second XML configuration file facilitate the retrieval of data from multiple data sources concurrently. For example, an end-user may provide a query to the system  200  to retrieve and display pictures of a celebrity from the data source  210 , which can be a social network. The query further includes retrieval of pictures of the celebrity with a specific haircut from the data source  212 . Accordingly, the first set of data retrieval filters correspond to retrieving data from the data source  210  and the second set of data retrieval filters correspond to retrieving data from the data source  212 . 
     The information database  208 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , stores data retrieved from the data source  210 , the remote data source  212  and/or the remote data source  214  in accordance with the first XML configuration file and the second XML configuration file. The data may be retrieved prior to the user-defined query and the configuration information being received at the configuration file database  206 . In some embodiments, the data may be retrieved upon receiving the user-defined query and the configuration information. The retrieved data is stored on the information database  208  in a predefined format. The predefined format includes the retrieved data being stored in multiple tables with each row and/or column of each table being identified by a key. The keys are used to establish logical connections between rows and columns of one table in the information database  208  with the rows and columns of another table in the information database  208 . 
     Based on the user-defined query stored in the tables of the configuration file database  206 , retrieved data, corresponding to any one of the data source  210 , the data source  212  and/or the data source  214 , is extracted from the tables of the information database  208  and presented on the user interface  300  (as shown in  FIG. 3 ) at the portlets corresponding to the results field  326 . 
     Some embodiments, in accordance with the disclosed subject matter, are directed to the system  100  that facilitates exchange of a data between the data sources  102  and the user  108 , using one or more portlets installed on a portal server  104 . A first XML configuration file containing a data source query is generated at the user  108 . The data source query includes a first set of data retrieval filters, a first set of display options and a selection option. Based on the selection option, a second XML configuration file is selected, the second XML configuration file specifying a second set of data retrieval filters and a second set of display options. The portal server  104  may retrieve and display data based on the first set of data retrieval filters, the first set of display options, the second set of data retrieval filters and/or the second set of display options. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a method  400  of retrieving data from one or more remote data source in accordance with the disclosed subject matter. This flowchart is merely provided for exemplary purposes, and embodiments are intended to include or otherwise cover any methods or procedures for data retrieval. 
     In accordance with the flowchart of  FIG. 4 , at step  402 , a non-transitory computer readable medium is configured to access a set of data from a remote data source based on a data source query specified in a first user-defined XML configuration file. The portal server  104  may configure the non-transitory computer readable medium. In some embodiments, a processor (not shown) associated with the user  108  generates the first XML configuration file and stores it on a memory (not shown) associated with the user  108 . The portal server  104  includes the non-transitory computer readable medium. The data source may be selected through choices on the form-based user interface  300  and the choices are embedded into the first XML configuration file stored on the user  108 . The choices include a first set of connection information, a first set of display options, a first set of data retrieval filters and a selection option. 
     At step  404 , using the selection option, a second XML configuration file is selected and extracted to the configuration file database  206 . The second XML configuration file further includes a second set of connection information, a second set of display options and a second set of data retrieval filters. At step  406 , data is retrieved from a data source in accordance with parameters specified in both the first and second XML configuration files. The parameters can include the first and second sets of data retrieval filters and/or the first and second sets of display options. At step  408 , the retrieved data is stored in tables of the information database  208  in accordance with a predefined format. The predefined format is a presentation format that may be implemented in accordance with the display options made available through the XML configuration file and subsequently the form-based user interface  300 . Such a format facilitates data retrieval processes in a customized presentation as defined by the user  108 . The data stored in the information database  208  is extracted and presented on the user interface  300  through the user  108 . 
     At step  410 , the requested information requested is displayed accordingly.  FIG. 2  further illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the aforementioned process wherein information is sought from a data source concerning a subject or topic with other filters implemented. At the selection field  320 , the option for utilizing configuration information from the second XML configuration file is enabled. The radio button  322  may direct to one or more associated forms that are used to provide location details for the XML configuration file. Data is retrieved from one or more data sources in accordance with both the first and second XML configuration files. Further, the retrieved data is displayed at the portlets  326   a  and  326   b  in accordance with the first and second display options in the first and second XML configuration files, respectively. 
     In various embodiments, one or more of the steps  402  to  410  may be implemented by the portal server  104  as per instructions provided in the non-transitory computer readable medium. 
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart of a method  500  for retrieving data from one or more data sources in accordance with the disclosed subject matter. Through the form-based user interface  300 , a data source query is received at step  502 . The data source query includes a first set of data retrieval filters, a first set of display options, a first set of connection information and a selection option. 
     At step  504 , the retrieval filters and display options are embedded in the XML configuration file. The configuration file information further includes connection information which constitute any one or a combination of IP addresses, subnet masks, domain name server addresses, host name and suffix, execution parameters, and system information pertaining to the user  108  and/or the portal server  104 . At step  506 , the selection option is used to select a second XML configuration file. The second XML configuration file includes a second set of data retrieval filters, a second set of connection information and a second set of display options. At step  508 , data is retrieved in accordance with first and second sets of data retrieval filters specified in the first and second XML configuration files, respectively. At step  510 , the retrieved data is stored in a predefined format in the information database  208 . The predefined format includes all of the display options made available to the user  108  in accordance with the first and second XML configuration files. 
     Further, at step  512 , the retrieved data is displayed at the first portlet  326   a  and the second portlet  326   b  on the user interface  300  in accordance with the first set of display options, the second set of display options and the predefined format. In some other embodiments, the generated portlet leads to a new web page showing the retrieved data. The first and second portlets  326   a ,  326   b  may be generated by the portal server  104 . 
     In various embodiments, one or more of the steps  502  to  512  may be implemented by the portal server  104  as per instructions provided in the non-transitory computer readable medium. 
     IV. Other Exemplary Embodiments 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a computer system  600  upon which the operation of the user  108 , the DIP  204 , the configuration file database  206 , the information database  208  and the portal server  104  may be implemented. Although, the computer system  600  is depicted with respect to a particular device or equipment, it is contemplated that other devices or equipment (e.g., network elements, servers, etc.) within  FIG. 6  can deploy the illustrated hardware and components of system. The computer system  600  is programmed (e.g., via computer program code or instructions) to retrieve data from the data sources  102  described herein and includes a communication mechanism such as a bus  602  for passing information between other internal and external components of the computer system  600 . Information (also called data) is represented as a physical expression of a measurable phenomenon, typically electric voltages, but including, in other embodiments, such phenomena as magnetic, electromagnetic, pressure, chemical, biological, molecular, atomic, sub-atomic and quantum interactions. For example, north and south magnetic fields, or a zero and non-zero electric voltage, represent two states (0, 1) of a binary digit (bit). Other phenomena can represent digits of a higher base. A superposition of multiple simultaneous quantum states before measurement represents a quantum bit (qubit). A sequence of one or more digits constitutes digital data that is used to represent a number or code for a character. In some embodiments, information called analog data is represented by a near continuum of measurable values within a particular range. The computer system  600 , or a portion thereof, constitutes a means for performing one or more steps retrieving data from one or more data sources  102 . 
     A bus  602  includes one or more parallel conductors of information so that information is transferred quickly among devices coupled to the bus  602 . A processor  704  for processing information are coupled with the bus  602 . 
     The processor  604  performs a set of operations on information as specified by a user. The computer program code is a set of instructions or statements providing instructions for the operation of the processor  604  and/or the computer system  600  to perform specified functions. The code, for example, may be written in a computer programming language that is compiled into a native instruction set of the processor  604 . The code may also be written directly using the native instruction set (e.g., machine language). The set of operations include bringing information in from the bus  602  and placing information on the bus  602 . The set of operations also typically include comparing two or more units of information, shifting positions of units of information, and combining two or more units of information, such as by addition or multiplication or logical operations like OR, exclusive OR (XOR), and AND. Each operation of the set of operations that can be performed by the processor is represented to the processor by information called instructions, such as an operation code of one or more digits. A sequence of operations to be executed by the processor  604 , such as a sequence of operation codes, constitute processor instructions, also called computer system instructions or, simply, computer instructions. The processor  604  may be implemented as mechanical, electrical, magnetic, optical, chemical, or quantum components, among others, alone or in combination. 
     The computer system  600  also includes a memory  606  coupled to the bus  602 . The memory  606 , such as a Random Access Memory (RAM) or any other dynamic storage device, stores information including processor instructions for storing information and instructions to be executed by the processor  604 . The dynamic memory  606  allows information stored therein to be changed by the computer system  600 . RAM allows a unit of information stored at a location called a memory address to be stored and retrieved independently of information at neighboring addresses. The memory  606  is also used by the processor  604  to store temporary values during execution of processor instructions. The computer system  600  also includes a Read Only Memory (ROM) or any other static storage device coupled to the bus  602  for storing static information, including instructions, that is not changed by the computer system  600 . Some memory is composed of volatile storage that loses the information stored thereon when power is lost. Also coupled to the bus  602  is a non-volatile (persistent) storage device  608 , such as a magnetic disk, a solid state disk, optical disk or flash card, for storing information, including instructions, that persists even when the computer system  600  is turned off or otherwise loses power. 
     Information, including instructions for inspecting the XML data source query files is provided to the bus  602  for use by the controller  604  from an external input/output device  610 . From an input perspective, the input/output device could include one or more elements such as a keyboard containing alphanumeric keys operated by a human user, a mouse, trackball, microphone, an Infrared (IR) remote control, a joystick, a game pad, a stylus pen, a touch screen, or any other of an input/output device. These devices can be capable of controlling a position of a small cursor image presented on the display  612  and issuing commands associated with graphical elements presented on the display  612 . 
     From an output perspective, the input/output device  610  could include a Cathode Ray Tube (CRT), a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), a Light Emitting Diode (LED) display, an organic LED (OLED) display, an active matrix display, an Electrophoretic Display (EPD), a plasma screen, or a printer for presenting text or images. Additionally, a separate display  612  may also include any of the previously mentioned devices or any other devices capable of visually, audibly, or even by means of touch, scent, etc., to provide output data to a user. Further, the display  612  may be a touch enabled display such as capacitive or resistive screen. In some embodiments, for example, in embodiments in which the computer system  600  performs all functions automatically without human input, one or more of the external input device  610 , and the display  612  may be omitted. 
     Sensors  614  may be provided as components of the input/output device  610 , or may be provided as independent components to the system  600 . The sensor(s)  614  may detect conditions in its vicinity and transform those detections into physical expressions compatible with the measurable phenomenon used to represent information in the computer system  600  such as capturing, recording and causing to store one or more still and/or moving images (e.g., videos, movies, etc.) which also may comprise audio recordings. Sensors  614  may also detect elements such as motion, temperature, imagery or video, etc. 
     Other external devices can also be coupled to the bus  602  such as an Application Specific IC (ASIC) device  616 . In the illustrated embodiment, special purpose hardware such as the ASIC  616  might serve as special purpose hardware configured to perform operations not performed by the controller  604  quickly enough for various purposes. Examples of ASICs include graphics accelerator cards for generating images for the display  612 , cryptographic boards for encrypting and decrypting messages sent over a network, speech recognition, and interfaces to special external devices, such as robotic arms and medical scanning equipment that repeatedly perform some complex sequence of operations that are more efficiently implemented in hardware. 
     The computer system  600  also includes one or more instances of a communication interface  618  coupled to the bus  602 . The communication interface  618  provides a one-way or two-way communication coupling to a variety of external devices that operate with their own processors, such as printers, scanners and external disks. In general, the coupling is with a network link  620  that is connected to a local network  622  to which a variety of external devices with their own processors are connected. For example, the communication interface  618  may be a parallel port or a serial port or a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port on a personal computer. In some embodiments, the communication interface  618  is an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) card, a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) card, or a telephone modem that provides an information communication connection to a corresponding type of a telephone line. In some embodiments, the communication interface  618  is a cable modem that converts signals on the bus  602  into signals for a communication connection over a coaxial cable or into optical signals for a communication connection over a fiber optic cable. As another example, the communication interface  618  may be a Local Area Network (LAN) card to provide a data communication connection to a compatible LAN, such as Ethernet™ or an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) network. In one embodiment, wireless links may also be implemented. For wireless links, the communication interface  618  sends or receives or both sends and receives electrical, acoustic or electromagnetic signals, including infrared and optical signals that carry information streams, such as digital data. For example, in wireless handheld devices, such as mobile telephones like cell phones, the communication interface  618  includes a radio band electromagnetic transmitter and receiver called a radio transceiver. In certain embodiments, the communication interface  618  enables connection to the communication network  106  for inspecting the user queries in the XML configuration files. Further, the communication interface  618  can include peripheral interface devices, such as a thunderbolt interface, a Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) interface, etc. Although a single communication interface  618  is depicted, multiple communication interfaces can also be employed. 
     The term “computer-readable medium” as used herein refers to any medium that participates in providing information to the processor  604 , including instructions for execution. Such a medium may take many forms, including, but not limited to, computer-readable storage medium (e.g., non-volatile media, volatile media), and transmission media. Non-transitory media, such as non-volatile media, include, for example, optical or magnetic disks, such as the storage device  608 . Volatile media include, for example, the dynamic memory  606 . Transmission media include, for example, twisted pair cables, coaxial cables, copper wire, fiber optic cables, and carrier waves that travel through space without wires or cables, such as acoustic waves, optical or electromagnetic waves, including radio, optical and infrared waves. Signals include man-made transient variations in amplitude, frequency, phase, polarization or other physical properties transmitted through the transmission media. Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a USB flash drive, a Blu-ray disk, a CD-ROM, CDRW, DVD, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, optical mark sheets, any other physical medium with patterns of holes or other optically recognizable indicia, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, an EEPROM, a flash memory, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave, or any other medium from which a computer can read. The term computer-readable storage medium is used herein to refer to any computer-readable medium except transmission media. 
     Logic encoded in one or more tangible media includes one or both of processor instructions on a computer-readable storage media and special purpose hardware, such as ASIC  616 . 
     The network link  620  typically provides information communication using transmission media through one or more networks to other devices that use or process the information. For example, the network link  620  may provide a connection through the local network  622  to a host computer  624  or to ISP equipment operated by an Internet Service Provider (ISP). 
     A server  626 , connected to the Internet, hosts a process that provides a service in response to information received over the Internet. For example, the server  626  hosts a process that provides information representing video data for presentation at the display  612 . It is contemplated that the components of the computer system  600  can be deployed in various configurations within other computer systems, e.g., the host  624  and the server  626 . 
     At least some embodiments of the invention are related to the use of the computer system  600  for implementing some or all of the techniques described herein. According to one embodiment of the invention, those techniques are performed by the computer system  600  in response to the processor  604  executing one or more sequences of one or more processor instructions contained in the memory  606 . Such instructions, also called computer instructions, software and program code, may be read into the memory  606  from another computer-readable medium such as the storage device  608  or the network link  620 . Execution of the sequences of instructions contained in the memory  606  causes the processor  604  to perform one or more of the method steps described herein. In alternative embodiments, hardware, such as the ASIC  616 , may be used in place of or in combination with software to implement the invention. Thus, embodiments of the invention are not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software, unless otherwise explicitly stated herein. 
     Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in carrying one or more sequence of instructions or data or both to the processor  604  for execution. For example, instructions and data may initially be carried on a magnetic disk of a remote computer such as the host  624 . The remote computer loads the instructions and data into its dynamic memory and sends the instructions and data over a telephone line using a modem. A modem local to the computer system  600  receives the instructions and data on a telephone line and uses an infra-red transmitter to convert the instructions and data to a signal on an infra-red carrier wave serving as the network link  620 . An infrared detector serving as the communication interface  618  receives the instructions and data carried in the infrared signal and places information representing the instructions and data onto the bus  602 . The bus  602  carries the information to the memory  606  from which the processor  604  retrieves and executes the instructions using some of the data sent with the instructions. The instructions and data received in the memory  606  may optionally be stored on the storage device  608 , either before or after execution by the processor  604 . 
     V. Alternative Embodiments 
     While certain embodiments of the invention are described above, and  FIGS. 1A-6  disclose the best mode for practicing the various inventive aspects, it should be understood that the invention can be embodied and configured in many different ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     For example, embodiments are disclosed above in the context of retrieving data from one or more data sources based on user queries embedded in XML configuration files. However, embodiments are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of configuration file. 
     Embodiments as disclosed above allow retrieval of data from different data sources and display the data as per user-defined display options and data retrieval filters through a portal server and an associated portal. Embodiments of the present disclosure further enable the portal server to be a single point of access in data retrieval and display without using any additional resources or applications on an end-user terminal. 
     Embodiments, as disclosed above, are directed to the system  100  that facilitates exchange of one or more sets of data between the data sources  102  and the user  108 , using one or more portlets installed on a portal server  104 . A first XML configuration file containing a data source query is generated at the user  108 . The data source query includes a first set of data retrieval filters, a first set of display options, a first set of connection information and a selection option. The selection option is directed toward a second XML configuration file  216  that is stored on a memory communicably coupled with the network  106  or a removable memory communicably coupled with the user  108 . The second XML configuration file  216  includes a second set of data retrieval filters, a second set of display options and a second set of connection information. The system  100  facilitates exchange of data between the user  108  and the data sources  102  through one or more portlets installed on the portal server  104  in accordance with the first and second XML configuration files. The second set of display options, the second set of data retrieval filters and the second set of communication information may augment the data source query embedded in the first XML configuration file. It may not be necessary to fill out one or more of the fields  302  to  318  and the field  324  as one or more of these parameters may be extracted from the second XML configuration file  216  and data retrieved accordingly. 
     Embodiments are also intended to cover processing a data source query using two or more XML configuration files. A first XML configuration file containing a data source query is generated at the user  108 . The data source query includes a first set of data retrieval filters, a set of display options, a first set of connection information and a selection option. The selection option is directed toward a second XML configuration file  216  that is stored on a memory communicably coupled with the network  106  or a removable memory communicably coupled with the user  108 . The second XML configuration file  216  includes a second set of data retrieval filters and a second set of connection information. The second XML configuration file provides the configuration information that is used to identify the data sources  210 ,  212  and/or  214 . The first set of data retrieval filters and corresponding configuration information embedded in the first XML configuration file, and the second set of data retrieval filters and corresponding configuration information embedded in the second XML configuration file facilitate the retrieval of data from multiple data sources concurrently. 
     Embodiments are also intended to cover storing retrieved data in any predefined format in a database associated with the portal server such that the data can be displayed through portlets generated by the portal server. The predefined format can be based on a type of data source and user-defined data fields provided in an XML configuration file. 
     Embodiments are also intended to cover any form building toolkit that allows creation of forms without coding for a portal page. The forms can be used to receive options from a user and display data. 
     Exemplary embodiments are intended to cover all software or computer programs capable of enabling processors to implement the above operations, designs and determinations. Exemplary embodiments are also intended to cover any and all currently known, related art or later developed non-transitory recording or storage mediums (such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, hard drive, RAM, ROM, floppy disc, magnetic tape cassette, etc.) that record or store such software or computer programs. Exemplary embodiments are further intended to cover such software, computer programs, systems and/or processes provided through any other currently known, related art, or later developed medium (such as transitory mediums, carrier waves, etc.), usable for implementing the exemplary embodiments disclosed above. 
     In accordance with the exemplary embodiments, the disclosed computer programs can be executed in many exemplary ways, such as an application that is resident in the memory of a device or as a hosted application that is being executed on a server and communicating with the device application or browser via a number of standard protocols, such as TCP/IP, HTTP, XML, SOAP, REST, JSON and other sufficient protocols. The disclosed computer programs can be written in exemplary programming languages that execute from memory on the device or from a hosted server, such as BASIC, COBOL, C, C++, Java, Pascal, or scripting languages such as JavaScript, Python, Ruby, PHP, Perl or other sufficient programming languages. 
     Some of the disclosed embodiments include or otherwise involve data transfer over a network, such as communicating various inputs over the network. The network may include, for example, one or more of the Internet, Wide Area Networks (WANs), Local Area Networks (LANs), analog or digital wired and wireless telephone networks (e.g., a PSTN, Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), a cellular network, and Digital Subscriber Line (xDSL)), radio, television, cable, satellite, and/or any other delivery or tunneling mechanism for carrying data. Network may include multiple networks or subnetworks, each of which may include, for example, a wired or wireless data pathway. The network may include a circuit-switched voice network, a packet-switched data network, or any other network able to carry electronic communications. For example, the network may include networks based on the Internet protocol (IP) or asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), and may support voice using, for example, VoIP, Voice-over-ATM, or other comparable protocols used for voice data communications. In one implementation, the network includes a cellular telephone network configured to enable exchange of text or SMS messages. 
     Examples of a network include, but are not limited to, a personal area network (PAN), a storage area network (SAN), a home area network (HAN), a campus area network (CAN), a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a virtual private network (VPN), an enterprise private network (EPN), Internet, a global area network (GAN), and so forth. 
     While the subject matter has been described in detail with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes can be made, and equivalents employed, without departing from the scope of the invention. All related art references discussed in the above Background section are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.