Data processing: database and file management or data structures – Database design – Data structure types
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-13
2001-08-07
Hong, Stephen S. (Department: 2176)
Data processing: database and file management or data structures
Database design
Data structure types
C707S793000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06272508
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention is in the field of documentation of computer software applications.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
The invention is related to computer-implemented programs that create and manage customized documentation of applications for a single person or a group of users in a computer-implemented system.
1. Environmental If-Statements
Current methods of distributing technical documentation for reconfigurable computer-implemented applications require the user to search a multitude of feature descriptions and procedures while he or she deciphers which parts of the documentation apply to current needs. Moreover, many features in the technical documentation contain different instructions applicable in various application environments, depending upon a combination of parameters related to the reconfigured system format. This uncustomized format requires the user to do a significant amount of research within the documentation itself in order to obtain the proper input instructions that cause the computer application to perform tasks assigned by the user or reconfigured for different system environments.
There is thus a need for a better way of organizing and managing documentation or computer applications. An easy-to-use, flexible, user-specific product documentation method is needed to tailor to different end-users or to conform to a multitude of reconfigurable operating environments.
2. Automated Translations
Current methods of technical documentation distribute foreign-language material as paper-based documents. This requires the administrator to keep a large amount of documentation on-hand to support end-users who might speak any number of languages. As the pool of end-users grows larger, the administration of documentation in foreign languages becomes increasingly burdensome. Product upgrades complicate this process, as existing documentation must be junked and replaced. This results in documentation that is wasteful and cumbersome. An entirely new set of foreign language translations of the documentation is needed for each revision in the original language. Because of the burden in administrating foreign-language documentation, it may inhibit the motivation of the end-user to upgrade to newer applications.
There is a need for a better, more efficient way of administrating foreign language documentation. An effective, easy-to-use method of creating product documentation in multiple languages is needed. Also needed is an automated translation feature that allows the end-user to work with software screens in the local language, along with the ability to create end-user documentation in another language.
3. Button Labels
In most modem-day offices, end-users no longer have a typewriter available to create typed button labels for telephones, and writing the labels by hand is unacceptable. This becomes particularly problematic for large telephone systems. There is a long-felt need among end-users for a computer-based button labeling feature for telephones. Consequently, many end-users have created “home-grown” spreadsheet and document templates in an attempt to make this process easier. However, this still requires a considerable amount of time to create button labels for a large installation. Further, it does not address the need to duplicate the labels and increment the phone number for a range of telephones. Updating labels as the telephone system grows larger requires a new series of label typing from the beginning.
There is therefore a need for a button label feature that allows the end-user to automate and customize the creation of button labels for individual telephones, or groups of telephones.
4. Platform Sharing
Conventional methods of implementing software applications require each application to have its own platform. This puts an unduly cumbersome strain on the hardware and software resources of the computer in an environment where multiple versions of a software application are running to provide services to the end-user.
There thus exists a need for a computer-implemented program that allows similar software applications or different versions of a software application to share a common platform and user interface, where each application contributes to a complete set of master end-user documents.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The advantages of the four inventive features can be summarized as follows:
1. Environmental If-Statements
The present invention customizes technical documentation based on features selected by the user or features pre-selected for respective system formats in a reconfigurable computer-related system. According to the method of the invention, an efficient computer-implemented application is provided that removes all irrelevant information typically contained in any end-user document. By allowing the end-user to specify the appearance of the current local environment, the invention removes all unnecessary and potentially confusing instructions from the end-user documentation. The user then ends up with documentation that is more concise, efficient and customized to current needs of the user in the local environment.
The method of the invention also gives the system administrator control over information that end-users receive. Further, the invention increases user productivity by matching documentation to specific learning preferences. The invention advantageously provides user-specific documentation that is available in a timely manner and substantially reduces cost. The invention removes the need to purchase and retain multiple hard-copy documents required to support future users of the applications because it provides documentation customized for each user whenever the need arises.
2. Automated Translations
The automated translation feature in the present invention allows the creation of foreign language documentation on-demand. This feature permits a person who may not speak or understand the target language to create documentation in that language. The automated translation feature in the invention can be used by any software application that requires documentation in a variety of languages. This feature can be advantageously adapted to provide international products, support, or information documentation in various computer-implemented systems. Further, this feature can be used in conjunction with the environmental if-statement feature to provide customized translation documentation for users in different operating environments.
3. Button Labels
The button label feature in the present invention automates the creation of button labels for telephones in various ranges. The end-user can specify a single telephone number or a range of telephone numbers prior to selecting the actual labels so that the methodology, as implemented in computer software, can generate a button label for each telephone number. The button label feature automates and customizes the label-making process for a multitude of telephony environments and removes unnecessary administrative burden in printing labels for each telephone.
4. Platform Sharing
The platform sharing feature in the present invention allows different software applications to have the same “look and feel,” to share enhancements, and to contribute to a set of master applications without burdening the computer with multiple versions of platform software to support each application. In particular, the platform sharing feature in the invention allows different documentation applications to share an entire set of enhancement capabilities under the umbrella of a set of master end-user documents without the cumbersome multiplicity of application versions to support each running application. This platform sharing feature is able to support any group of software applications similarly implemented by a computer. The feature is particularly suitable for a large system seeking to provide a comprehensive documentation solution for a broad user base. In essence, the inventive feature serves as a universal documentation interface for groups of similar applications implemented by a computer. Moreover, thi
Dyne James Fulton
Norton Linda Catherine
Avaya Technology Corp.
Gibbons Del Deo Dolan Griffinger & Vecchione
Hong Stephen S.
LandOfFree
Guide builder for documentation management in computer... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Guide builder for documentation management in computer..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Guide builder for documentation management in computer... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2463725