Patent Publication Number: US-2023142519-A1

Title: Interactive Display of Data Distributions

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This U.S. Patent Application is a continuation of, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 from, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/111,861, filed on Dec. 4, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/982,720, filed on May 17, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,877,619, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application 62/507,696, filed May 17, 2017. The disclosures of these prior applications are considered part of the disclosure of this application and are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to a system for an interactive display of data distributions. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A box-and-whisker plot is commonly used in print form to show distributions of data in a compact manner so one distribution can be compared to another. The plot is composed of a line or box with an indication of the median and second and third quartiles. The ends of the line generally represent the first and fourth quartiles. Electronic forms of a box-and-whisker plot typically follow the same format as print versions. However, the electronic form allows the opportunity to increase compactness while simultaneously increasing the amount of information the plot communicates to the user. 
     SUMMARY 
     One aspect of the disclosure provides a method that includes displaying, by data processing hardware, a first graphical representation on a screen in communication with the data processing hardware. The first graphical representation includes a box-and-whisker plot of a dataset. The method also includes receiving, at the data processing hardware, a first interaction indication indicating a graphical user interaction by a user at a first interaction location on the first graphical representation. In response to the received first interactive indication, the method includes displaying, by the data processing hardware, a second graphical representation on the screen based on the first interaction indication. The second graphical representation includes a density plot of the dataset that may have a respective scale equal to a corresponding scale of the box-and-whisker plot. The method further includes receiving, at the data processing hardware, a second interaction indication indicating the graphical user interaction by the user at a second interaction location on the second graphical representation. In response to the received second interactive indication, the method includes displaying, by the data  0  processing hardware, an updated second graphical representation of the dataset on the screen based on the second interaction indication. 
     Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. In some implementations, the first graphical representation includes an axis and the first interaction location includes a location within a threshold distance of the axis of the first graphical representation. The first interaction indication may include a location of an on-focus event triggered on the first graphical representation. The first interaction indication may also include a location of an input selection event triggered on the first graphical representation. The second interaction location includes a location on the second graphical representation that is different than the first interaction location. Additionally, the second interaction indication may include a location of an on-focus event triggered on the second graphical representation. In some examples, the second graphical indication includes a first graphical indication and the updated second graphical representation includes a second graphical indication that is different than the first graphical indication. The second interaction location may include a location on the density plot and the density plot may include a graphical indication of a data value corresponding to the second interaction location. 
     In some implementations, the method further includes receiving, at the data processing hardware, a third interaction indication indicating the graphical user interaction at a third interaction location on the second graphical representation. In response to the received third interaction indication, the method includes displaying, by the data processing hardware, the first graphical representation on the screen. In some examples, the density plot includes a plurality of rectangles, where each rectangle has an identical area and each rectangle has a height and a width based upon the dataset. 
     Another aspect of the disclosure provides a system for interactively displaying data distributions. The system includes data processing hardware and memory hardware in communication with the data processing hardware, the memory hardware storing instructions that when executed on the data processing hardware cause the data processing hardware to perform operations. The operations include displaying a first graphical representation on a screen in communication with the data processing hardware. The first graphical representation includes a box-and-whisker plot of a dataset. The operations also include receiving a first interaction indication indicating a graphical user interaction by a user at a first interaction location on the first graphical representation. In response to the received first interactive indication, the operations include displaying a second graphical representation on the screen based on the first interaction indication. The second graphical representation includes a density plot of the dataset that may have a respective scale equal to a corresponding scale of the box-and-whisker plot. The operations further include receiving a second interaction indication indicating the graphical user interaction by the user at a second interaction location on the second graphical representation. In response to the received second interactive indication, the operations include displaying an updated second graphical representation of the dataset on the screen based on the second interaction indication. 
     Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. In some implementations, the operations also include the first graphical representation including an axis and the first interaction location including a location within a threshold distance of the axis of the first graphical representation. The operations may also may include where the first interaction indication includes a location of an on-focus event triggered on the first graphical representation. In some examples, the first interaction indication includes a location of an input selection event triggered on the first graphical representation. The second interaction location may include a location on the second graphical representation that is different than the first interaction location. The second interaction indication includes a location of an on-focus event triggered on the second graphical representation. The second graphical indication may include a first graphical indication and the updated second graphical representation may include a second graphical indication that is different than the first graphical indication. The second interaction location includes a location on the density plot and the density plot includes a graphical indication of a data value corresponding to the second interaction location. 
     In some implementations, the operations further include receiving a third interaction indication indicating the graphical user interaction at a third interaction location on the second graphical representation. In response to the received third interaction indication, the operations include displaying the first graphical representation on the screen. The density plot may include a plurality of rectangles, where each rectangle has an identical area and each rectangle has a height and a width based upon the dataset. 
     The details of one or more implementations of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a schematic view of an example system for interactively displaying data distributions. 
         FIGS.  2 A- 2 C  are schematic views of example user device displays. 
         FIGS.  3 A and  3 B  are schematic views of an example user interaction. 
         FIGS.  4 A and  4 B  are schematic views of an example user interaction with an interaction point to update interaction data. 
         FIGS.  5 A and  5 B  are schematic views of another example user interaction. 
         FIGS.  6 A- 6 D  are schematic views of example data distribution displays with progressive changes in detail. 
         FIG.  7    is a schematic view of an example density plot with bars. 
         FIGS.  8 A and  8 B  are schematic views of another example user interaction. 
         FIG.  9    is a schematic view of an example threshold of a data distribution display. 
         FIGS.  10 A- 10 C  are schematic views of user interactions adding boundaries to a data distribution display. 
         FIG.  11    is a schematic view are example box-and-whisker plots. 
         FIGS.  12 A- 12 F  are schematic views illustrating an example transition from a line to a curve. 
         FIG.  13    is a flowchart providing an example arrangement of operations for a method of interactively displaying data distributions. 
         FIG.  14    is a schematic view of an example computing device that may be used to implement the systems and methods described herein. 
     
    
    
     Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A user may need to view and understand data from one or more datasets quickly and accurately. A common way of viewing and comparing data is in the form of box-and-whisker plots. However, other types of graphical representations of the same data can enhance understanding, such as density plots. Implementations herein are directed toward systems and methods for interactively displaying data distributions to allow a user to quickly focus on relevant portions of the data accurately and compactly. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , in some implementations, an interactive data distribution display system  100  displays graphical representations of data distributions (e.g., plots)  210 ,  210   a - n  to a user  10  via a user device  110 . The user device  110  may include, but is not limited to, desktop computers  110   a  or portable electronic device  110   b  (e.g., cellular phone, smartphone, smartwatch, personal digital assistant, etc.) or any other electronic device capable of sending, receiving, and displaying information. The user device  110   a,    110   b,  includes data processing hardware  112   a,    112   b  (e.g., a computing device that executes instructions), and non-transitory memory  114   a,    114   b  and a display  116   a,    116   b  (e.g., touch display or non-touch display) in communication with the data processor  112 . In some examples, the user device  110   a  includes keyboard  119 . The data processing hardware  112  may execute a data distribution program  180  that allows the user  10  to view graphical representations  210  via the displays  116   a,    116   b.  For example, a first graphical representation  210   a  is a box-and-whisker-plot. The box-and-whisker-plot may include a box indicating the median and second and third quartiles and lines indicating the first and fourth quartiles, or alternatively, merely an indication of the median with lines indicating the first and fourth quartiles. 
     The data processing hardware  112  bases the graphical representations  210  on a dataset  190  that the data processing hardware  112  receives locally from non-transitory memory  114  or via network  20  (e.g., from storage  24 ). Optionally, the network  20  is connected to remote processing hardware  130  that includes data processor  132  and non-transitory memory  134 . In some implementations, the remote processing hardware  130  provides the user  10  with the dataset  190  and/or the data distribution program  180 . The user  10  may download  196  the data distribution program  180  from the remote processing hardware  130 , or alternatively, the remote processing hardware  130  provides a web-based application  198  version of the data distribution program  180  (e.g., through a web browser). 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B , the data processing hardware  112  displays on the screen  116  of user device  110  the first graphical representation  210   a  (e.g., a box-and-whisker plot) of dataset  190  having axis  240   a  ( FIG.  2 A ). As shown in  FIG.  2 B , the data processing hardware  112  receives a first interaction indication  220  indicating a graphical user interaction by the user  10  at a first interaction location  230  on the first graphical representation  210   a.  In response to receiving the first interactive indication  220 , the data processing hardware  112  displays on screen  116  of user device  110  a second graphical representation  210   b  having axis  240   b  ( FIG.  2 B ). The second graphical representation  210   b  is drawn from the same dataset  190  as the first graphical representation  210   a,  and may include the same plot, but with a different layer over the plot showing the line. The second graphical representation  210   b  may be a density plot. The second graphical representation  210   b  may have a respective scale that is equal to a corresponding scale of the first graphical representation  210   a.  Referring now to  FIG.  2 C , the data processing hardware  112  receives a second interaction indication  260  indicating the graphical user interaction by the user  10  at a second interaction location  270  and in response, data processing hardware  112  displays an updated second graphical representation  210   c  of the dataset  190  on the screen  116  of the user device  110 . The updated second graphical representation  210   c  is based on the second interaction indication  260  at the second indication location  270 . 
     The user  10  may continue interacting with the graphical representation (e.g., a second interaction indication, third interaction indication, etc.), all representative of the same graphical user interaction. The updated second graphical representation  210   c  may update a graphical indication  250 , where the graphical indication  250  corresponds to the interaction location. The graphical indications  250 , as illustrated, may be one or more graphical markings on the graphical representation (e.g., the vertical line) or text. For example, the user  10  may continue to interact with the graphical representation  210   c  at any point along axis  240   c,  and graphical indications  250  will update to reflect the corresponding interaction location of the dataset  190  represented by the graphical representation  210   c.  Additionally, the user  10  may switch back and forth between the box-and-whisker plot  210   a  of  FIG.  2 A  and the density plots  210   b,    210   c  of  FIGS.  2 B and  2 C . For example, after displaying the updated second graphical representation  210   c,  the data processing hardware  112  may receive a third interaction indication from the user  10  that indicates the graphical user interaction at a third interaction location. In response, the data processing hardware  112  may again display the first graphical representation  210   a  on the screen  116 . For example, the user  10  may position a cursor or other focus event a threshold distance away from the updated second graphical representation  210   c  and/or provide a user input with a mouse, keyboard, or touch display (e.g., hover event, a selection event, a press and hold event, etc.). 
     As previously discussed, the graphical representations  210  includes an axis  240   a - c.  In some examples, the interaction locations are limited to within a threshold distance from the axis  240   a - c.  For example, the first interaction location  230  may be required to be within the threshold distance to the axis  240   a  of the first graphical representation  210   a  before the data processing hardware  112  responds with displaying the second graphical representation  210   b.    
     Still referring to  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B , the interaction indication  220 , in some implementations, includes a location of an on-focus event triggered on the first graphical representation  210   a.  For example, the user  10  may “hover” a mouse cursor over the graphical representation  210   a,  or touch the graphical representation  210   a  using a touch display. The interaction indication  220  may also include a location of an input selection event triggered on the first graphical representation  210   a  (e.g., the user  10  “clicking” a computer mouse or pressing a computer keyboard key). 
     A graphical representation such as a box-and-whisker plot  210   a,  when displayed on the screen  116  of the user device  110 , may progressively display more information through user interaction. For example, the user interaction may be to “hover” a mouse cursor, tap a mouse button, tap a touch display, etc. This allows for faster loading and processing of the graphical representation while simultaneously keeping the interface simple. The plots may use a variety of colors, patterns, and line thicknesses to further precisely and compactly communicate information. Data with less importance may be hidden or abstracted via symbol use, while important data may be emphasized. Additionally, the user  10  may compare data easier and view data on a smaller screen than traditional representations would allow. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  3 A and  3 B , the user  10 , in some implementations, interacts with a box-and-whisker plot  310  of view  300   a.  As shown in  FIG.  3 A , plot  310  has interaction point  320  and interaction data  330 , where the interaction data  330  is representative of the dataset  190  at a location of the interaction point  320 . The user  10  interacts with interaction point  320  to change or update the interaction data  330 . For example, as shown in  FIG.  3 B , the user  10  may “slide” (for example, with cursor  340 ) the interaction point along an axis of the plot  310  of view  300   b  and update the interaction data  330 . The interaction data  330  may include the value at extreme percentiles (e.g., 95%).  FIGS.  4 A and  4 B  show another example of the user  10  interacting with interaction point  420  in views  400   a  and  400   b  to update interaction data  430  with a different format found in  FIGS.  3 A and  3 B . As shown in  FIGS.  5 A and  5 B  with views  500   a  and  500   b,  the interaction point  520  may be positioned at a point where interaction data  530  is updated to beyond the 95th percentile (e.g., 99.9% as illustrated in  FIG.  5 B ). 
     A graphical representation may progressively offer more information to the user  10  based on interaction indications received from the user  10 . For example,  FIG.  6 A  shows an aggregate distribution in view  600   a,  while  FIG.  6 B  shows the same data set after the “OVER TIME” input is selected in view  600   b.  Then,  FIG.  6 C  shows the user  10  providing an interaction indication  610  at interaction location  620  in view  600   c.  The interaction data  630  then updates to reflect a value based upon the location of the interaction indication  610 . The graphical representations can communicate data in a number of formats. For example, the view  600   d  of  FIG.  6 D  provides an alternate format to the graphical representation in  FIG.  6 C  that demonstrates how the distribution of data changes over time by graphically indicating how the two inner quartiles (second and third quartiles) change over time. The inner and outer quartiles may be differentiated in a number of ways (e.g., patterns, colors, etc.). 
     As an alternative or in addition to the curved density plot  210   b  illustrated in  FIG.  2 B , the schematic view  700  of  FIG.  7    shows the data processing hardware  112  displaying a density plot with a density chart  710 . The density chart  710  (including bars or rectangles) may be displayed as the result of receiving additional user interaction indications (e.g., a mouse click) or may be displayed in lieu of the curved density plot  210   b.  The bar chart  710  includes a number of rectangles  720 ,  720   a - n,  where each rectangle  720  may have different widths and heights, but all rectangles  720  may have the same area, such that each rectangle represents a normalized portion of the dataset  190 . Similar to the box-and-whisker plots of  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B , the schematic views  800   a,    800   b  of  FIGS.  8 A and  8 B  illustrate a box-and-whisker data distribution  810   a  ( FIG.  8 A ) transforming into a density plot data distribution  810   b  ( FIG.  8 B ) in response to user interaction  820 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  9   , schematic view  900  illustrates a user-definable threshold  910  that may be represented by patterns (e.g., hatching) or differing colors. The graphical representations may also display user-definable boundaries. The schematic view  1000   a  of  FIG.  10 A  illustrates a density curve with no boundaries. The schematic view  1000   b  of  FIG.  10 B  shows the user  10  defining a first boundary  1010   a  with interaction indication  1020   a.  Interaction data  1030  updates with information pertaining to the first boundary  1010   a.  The user  10  then defines a second boundary  1010   b  with second interaction indication  1020   b  as shown by the schematic view  1000   c  of  FIG.  10 C . Accordingly, the interaction data  1030  updates with additional data pertaining to the second boundary  1010   b.  The user  10  may add the boundaries with the use of “handles,” similar to text selection on modern smart phones. The schematic view  1100  of  FIG.  11    shows example graphical representations representing the second and third quartiles. The quartiles may be represented with various different styles. For example, the thickness, patterns, and/or colors of the lines may be added are adjusted by the user as needed. 
       FIGS.  12 A- 12 F  illustrate a transition from a line to a curve on a graph. In the examples shown here, the graph expands on the Y axis only at first and then moves to the X axis so that there is continuity.  FIG.  12 A  provides an example first graphical representation  210   a  of a box and whisker plot (without a box) of a dataset and accompanying text  212  corresponding to a position of a whisker  214 .  FIG.  12 B  illustrates providing visual feedback of a user interaction  220  at respective location on the first graphical representation  210   a,  which changes to a second graphical representation  210   b  at a corresponding crosshair  216  (e.g., vertical line) as the first graphical representation  210   a  expands on the Y-axis only.  FIG.  12 C  illustrates, after a delay, how the chart (the second graphical representation  210   b ) automatically moves the line  216  to the location of the user interaction  220  (e.g., hover, select (click), select and hold, etc.) and adjusts the text representation  212  of the location of the user interaction  220 .  FIG.  12 D  illustrates another user interaction  220  at a second location. In this case, however, the text representation  212  does not update and a new added crosshair or line  216  continues to give the user feedback to show that the system is not broken or frozen.  FIG.  12 E  illustrates yet another user interaction  220  at a third location where the chart (the second graphical representation  210   b ) changes and the text representation  212  changes accordingly as well. In  FIG.  12 F , the chart (the second graphical representation  210   b ) includes a rough abbreviation (or approximation) of hotspot regions  18   a - e.  A width W of each hotspot region  18   a - e  may vary. The crosshair provides visual feedback to the user to avoid confusion on how the graph functions. 
       FIG.  13    is a flowchart of an example method  1300  for interactively displaying a data distribution. The flowchart starts at operation  1302  by displaying, by the data processing hardware  112 , a first graphical representation  210   a  on a screen  116  in communication with the data processing hardware  112 , wherein the first graphical representation  210   a  includes a box-and-whisker plot of a dataset. The first graphical representation  210   a  may include an axis  240   a.    
     At operation  1304 , the method  1300  includes receiving, at the data processing hardware  112 , a first interaction indication  220  indicating a graphical user interaction by a user  10  at a first interaction location  203  on the first graphical representation  210   a.  In some examples, the first interaction location  230  includes a location within a threshold distance of the axis  240   a  of the first graphical representation  210   a.  Optionally, the first interaction indication  220  may include a location of an on-focus event triggered on the first graphical representation  210   a.  The first interaction indication  220  may also include a location of an input selection event triggered on the first graphical representation  210   a.  At operation  1306 , the method  1300  includes, in response to the received first interactive indication  220 , displaying, by the data processing hardware  112 , a second graphical representation  210   b  on the screen  116  based on the first interaction indication  230 . The second graphical representation  210   b  includes a density plot of the dataset  190  that may have a respective scale equal to a corresponding scale of the box-and-whisker plot. In some examples, the density plot includes a plurality of rectangles  720 , wherein each rectangle  720   a - n  has an identical area and each rectangle  720   a - n  has a height and a width based upon the dataset  190 . 
     At operation  1308 , the method  1300  includes receiving, at the data processing hardware  112 , a second interaction indication  260  indicating the graphical user interaction by the user  10  at a second interaction location  270  on the second graphical representation  210   b.  In some implementations, the second interaction indication  260  includes a location of an on-focus event triggered on the second graphical representation  210   b.  The second interaction location  270  may include a location on the second graphical representation  210   b  that is different than the first interaction location  230 . Alternatively, the second interaction location  270  includes a location on the density plot and the density plot includes a graphical indication  250  of a data value corresponding to the second interaction location  270   
     At operation  1310 , the method  1300  includes, in response to the received second interactive indication  260 , displaying, by the data processing hardware  112 , an updated second graphical representation  210   c  of the dataset  190  on the screen  116  based on the second interaction indication  260 . In some implementations, the second graphical indication  210   b  includes a first graphical indication and the updated second graphical representation  210   c  includes a second graphical indication that is different than the first graphical indication. 
     In some examples, the method  1300  includes receiving, at the data processing hardware  112 , a third interaction indication indicating the graphical user interaction at a third interaction location on the second graphical representation. In response to the received third interaction indication, the method  1300  includes displaying, by the data processing hardware  112 , the first graphical representation  210   a  on the screen  119 . 
     A software application (i.e., a software resource) may refer to computer software that causes a computing device to perform a task. In some examples, a software application may be referred to as an “application,” an “app,” or a “program.” Example applications include, but are not limited to, system diagnostic applications, system management applications, system maintenance applications, word processing applications, spreadsheet applications, messaging applications, media streaming applications, social networking applications, and gaming applications. 
       FIG.  14    is schematic view of an example computing device  1400  that may be used to implement the systems and methods described in this document. The computing device  1400  is intended to represent various forms of digital computers, such as laptops, desktops, workstations, personal digital assistants, servers, blade servers, mainframes, and other appropriate computers. The components shown here, their connections and relationships, and their functions, are meant to be exemplary only, and are not meant to limit implementations of the inventions described and/or claimed in this document. 
     The computing device  1400  includes a processor  1410 , memory  1420 , a storage device  1430 , a high-speed interface/controller  1440  connecting to the memory  1420  and high-speed expansion ports  1450 , and a low speed interface/controller  1460  connecting to a low speed bus  1470  and a storage device  1430 . Each of the components  1410 ,  1420 ,  1430 ,  1440 ,  1450 , and  1460 , are interconnected using various busses, and may be mounted on a common motherboard or in other manners as appropriate. The processor  1410  can process instructions for execution within the computing device  1400 , including instructions stored in the memory  1420  or on the storage device  1430  to display graphical information for a graphical user interface (GUI) on an external input/output device, such as display  1480  coupled to high speed interface  1440 . In other implementations, multiple processors and/or multiple buses may be used, as appropriate, along with multiple memories and types of memory. Also, multiple computing devices  1400  may be connected, with each device providing portions of the necessary operations (e.g., as a server bank, a group of blade servers, or a multi-processor system). 
     The memory  1420  stores information non-transitorily within the computing device  1400 . The memory  1420  may be a computer-readable medium, a volatile memory unit(s), or non-volatile memory unit(s). The non-transitory memory  1420  may be physical devices used to store programs (e.g., sequences of instructions) or data (e.g., program state information) on a temporary or permanent basis for use by the computing device  1400 . Examples of non-volatile memory include, but are not limited to, flash memory and read-only memory (ROM)/programmable read-only memory (PROM)/erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM)/electronically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) (e.g., typically used for firmware, such as boot programs). Examples of volatile memory include, but are not limited to, random access memory (RAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), phase change memory (PCM) as well as disks or tapes. 
     The storage device  1430  is capable of providing mass storage for the computing device  1400 . In some implementations, the storage device  1430  is a computer-readable medium. In various different implementations, the storage device  1430  may be a floppy disk device, a hard disk device, an optical disk device, or a tape device, a flash memory or other similar solid state memory device, or an array of devices, including devices in a storage area network or other configurations. In additional implementations, a computer program product is tangibly embodied in an information carrier. The computer program product contains instructions that, when executed, perform one or more methods, such as those described above. The information carrier is a computer- or machine-readable medium, such as the memory  1420 , the storage device  1430 , or memory on processor  1410 . 
     The high speed controller  1440  manages bandwidth-intensive operations for the computing device  1400 , while the low speed controller  1460  manages lower bandwidth-intensive operations. Such allocation of duties is exemplary only. In some implementations, the high-speed controller  1440  is coupled to the memory  1420 , the display  1480  (e.g., through a graphics processor or accelerator), and to the high-speed expansion ports  1450 , which may accept various expansion cards (not shown). In some implementations, the low-speed controller  1460  is coupled to the storage device  1430  and a low-speed expansion port  1490 . The low-speed expansion port  1490 , which may include various communication ports (e.g., USB, Bluetooth, Ethernet, wireless Ethernet), may be coupled to one or more input/output devices, such as a keyboard, a pointing device, a scanner, or a networking device such as a switch or router, e.g., through a network adapter. 
     The computing device  1400  may be implemented in a number of different forms, as shown in the figure. For example, it may be implemented as a standard server  1400   a  or multiple times in a group of such servers  1400   a,  as a laptop computer  1400   b,  or as part of a rack server system  1400   c.    
     Various implementations of the systems and techniques described herein can be realized in digital electronic and/or optical circuitry, integrated circuitry, specially designed ASICs (application specific integrated circuits), computer hardware, firmware, software, and/or combinations thereof. These various implementations can include implementation in one or more computer programs that are executable and/or interpretable on a programmable system including at least one programmable processor, which may be special or general purpose, coupled to receive data and instructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device. 
     These computer programs (also known as programs, software, software applications or code) include machine instructions for a programmable processor, and can be implemented in a high-level procedural and/or object-oriented programming language, and/or in assembly/machine language. As used herein, the terms “machine-readable medium” and “computer-readable medium” refer to any computer program product, non-transitory computer readable medium, apparatus and/or device (e.g., magnetic discs, optical disks, memory, Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs)) used to provide machine instructions and/or data to a programmable processor, including a machine-readable medium that receives machine instructions as a machine-readable signal. The term “machine-readable signal” refers to any signal used to provide machine instructions and/or data to a programmable processor. 
     The processes and logic flows described in this specification can be performed by one or more programmable processors, also referred to as data processing hardware, executing one or more computer programs to perform functions by operating on input data and generating output. The processes and logic flows can also be performed by special purpose logic circuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit). Processors suitable for the execution of a computer program include, by way of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors, and any one or more processors of any kind of digital computer. Generally, a processor will receive instructions and data from a read only memory or a random access memory or both. The essential elements of a computer are a processor for performing instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer will also include, or be operatively coupled to receive data from or transfer data to, or both, one or more mass storage devices for storing data, e.g., magnetic, magneto optical disks, or optical disks. However, a computer need not have such devices. Computer readable media suitable for storing computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, media and memory devices, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, e.g., internal hard disks or removable disks; magneto optical disks; and CD ROM and DVD-ROM disks. The processor and the memory can be supplemented by, or incorporated in, special purpose logic circuitry. 
     To provide for interaction with a user, one or more aspects of the disclosure can be implemented on a computer having a display device, e.g., a CRT (cathode ray tube), LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor, or touch screen for displaying information to the user and optionally a keyboard and a pointing device, e.g., a mouse or a trackball, by which the user can provide input to the computer. Other kinds of devices can be used to provide interaction with a user as well; for example, feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback, e.g., visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input from the user can be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input. In addition, a computer can interact with a user by sending documents to and receiving documents from a device that is used by the user; for example, by sending web pages to a web browser on a user&#39;s client device in response to requests received from the web browser. 
     A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.