Patent Application
20220304782
The present invention relates generally to a method, system, and computer program product for configuring dental workflows. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method, system, and computer program product for intelligent proposal of restorations and dental/workflow parameters for a restoration and machining procedure.
Presently, technology exists to design restorations and help manufacture them. For example, dental software can traditionally be used for restoration design and manufacturing using input from dental professionals. The process includes an administration phase in which a restoration type such as single tooth restoration, bridge restoration and implant is selected for the patient. A tooth number for the restoration, restoration material and material color are then selected. After the administration, a three-dimensional (3D) scan of the patient's dental cavity is obtained with a dental scanner in an acquisition phase. In a next phase, a buccal registration of the patient's bite is obtained, margin lines are drawn, and model and insertion axes are determined. In a model axes determination, the orientation in the occlusal, mesial and buccal view are established. Further, possible undercuts in regions within a preparation margin are identified and corrected before producing a design of the restoration. In a subsequent phase, a digital design of the restoration is obtained based on tooth models in a database or biogeneric tooth models. After obtaining the design, the digital restoration is manufactured based on selected manufacturing processes including milling or grinding options.
The illustrative embodiments provide a method, system and computer program product for configuring a dental workflow. In an aspect herein, a computer-implement method is disclosed. The computer-implemented method comprises the steps of: receiving a three-dimensional (3D) scan of a dental cavity of a patient for a dental workflow; identifying, by a computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) resource configured to automatically obtain information about the dental workflow, input data for a dental configuration recommendation module; extracting, responsive to the identifying, one or more features from the input data, the one or more features representative of a request for completing a restoration design and/or machining process, and proposing, using the dental configuration recommendation module, at least one user-specific configuration for the restoration design and/or machining process.
In another aspect herein, any combination of the following are disclosed: (i) the proposing includes at least one of (a) proposing a user-specific restoration design as a first configuration, (b) proposing at least one restoration parameter as a second configuration, and (c) proposing at least one user-specific manufacturing parameter as a third configuration. (ii) providing, using an adaptation module, a modification of dental workflow setting or of a proposed user-specific configuration from a plurality of proposed user-specific configurations and computing an acceptance decision of the modification based on a set of dependencies, (iii) recomputing, the at least one user-specific configuration upon determining that the modification is acceptable, (iv) the input data is automatically obtained from devices contained in or connected to the dental manufacturing system, (v) at least a portion of the input data is automatically retrieved from the 3D scan of the dental cavity, (vi) the dental configuration recommendation module operates as a machine learning engine, (vii) the input data is data selected from the group consisting of CAD/CAM input data, preferences and dependencies, (viii) the dental configuration recommendation module proposes restoration parameters as an output, (ix) training the dental configuration recommendation module based on information comprising static CAD/CAM input data, dynamic CAD/CAM input data and user preferences, (x) wherein the information includes historical data selected from a database of a dental manufacturing system such as a chairside restoration system, and (xi) locally or remotely providing the dental configuration recommendation module with new instructions and requirements as the dependencies.
In another aspect herein, a computer system is disclosed. The computer system comprises a processor that is configured to perform the steps including receiving a three-dimensional (3D) scan of a dental cavity of a patient for a dental workflow; identifying, by a computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) resource configured to automatically obtain information about the dental workflow, input data for a dental configuration recommendation module; extracting, responsive to the identifying, one or more features from the input data, the one or more features representative of a request for completing a restoration design and/or machining process, and proposing, using the dental configuration recommendation module, at least one user-specific configuration for the restoration design and/or machining process.
In yet another aspect herein, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is disclosed. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium stores a program which, when executed by a computer system, causes the computer system to perform a procedure comprising: receiving a three-dimensional (3D) scan of a dental cavity of a patient for a dental workflow; identifying, by a computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) resource configured to automatically obtain information about the dental workflow, input data for a dental configuration recommendation module; extracting, responsive to the identifying, one or more features from the input data, the one or more features representative of a request for completing a restoration design and/or machining process, and proposing, using the dental configuration recommendation module, at least one user-specific configuration for the restoration design and/or machining process.
In another aspect, an embodiment includes a computer usable program product. The computer usable program product includes a computer-readable storage device, and program instructions stored on the storage device.
In a further aspect, an embodiment includes a computer system. The computer system includes a processor, a computer-readable memory, and a computer-readable storage device, and program instructions stored on the storage device for execution by the processor via the memory.
Certain novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
The illustrative embodiments recognize that the user of every dental CAD/CAM software for restoration design and manufacturing must deal with configurations about defining a restoration type and type of machining and material for machining at the start of every new case. As far as configuring workflows for a dental case, presently, dental workflow attributes are manually selected in a software by a dental practitioner in a time-consuming process that may not be convenient for a new user. The illustrative embodiments recognize that the configuration process requires expert know-how which are constantly becoming complex and changing frequently and choosing, manufacturing or designing with a wrong parameter will result, at best, in the creation restorations that differ vastly from an expected or desired outcome, and at worst, in unsafe dental products and working conditions.
As an example, a dental practitioner, upon scanning a patient's jaws for a dental procedure, manually configures restoration and manufacturing parameters by modification of default parameters presented by a software. This is time consuming, error-prone and often not optimal for the particular patient because the practitioner may lack all of the knowledge about the parameters and their dependencies.
The illustrative embodiments thus recognize that presently available tools or solutions do not address the need to provide intelligent management of dental workflow configurations in order to provide optimized restorations in a timely manner. The illustrative embodiments used to describe the invention generally address and solve the above-described problems and other related problems by employing a machine learning engine to configure dental workflows in a patient and/or user specific manner through intelligent recommendations.
Such a configuration includes restoration parameters such as minimum wall thickness, edge thickness, edge design (chamfer or rounded, chamfer length, edge radius), spacer and the like. The configuration also includes manufacturing parameters such as type of machining device (for example, a particular milling unit or a 3D printer), a type of machining (for example, grinding, milling), a type of material (for example, feldspar, lithium disilicate, polymethacrylate, titanium, zirconium, etc.), a type or size of machining tool (for example, step bur, cylinder bur, cylinder bur EF (extra fine)), a mode of machining (for example, optimization of triangle quality, machining time/cost (e.g. fast, normal, fine). The restoration parameters and manufacturing parameters are collectively referred to herein as dental parameters. Of note, the configuration process may also include the designing of a restoration geometry in preparation for manufacturing.
These examples of settings, configurations, parameters, properties and the like are not intended to be limiting. From this disclosure, those of ordinary skill in the art will be able to conceive many other aspects applicable towards a similar purpose, and the same are contemplated within the scope of the illustrative embodiments.
The illustrative embodiments are described with respect to certain types of data, functions, algorithms, equations, model configurations, locations of embodiments, additional data, devices, data processing systems, environments, components, and applications only as examples. Any specific manifestations of these and other similar artifacts are not intended to be limiting to the invention. Any suitable manifestation of these and other similar artifacts can be selected within the scope of the illustrative embodiments.
Furthermore, the illustrative embodiments may be implemented with respect to any type of data, data source, or access to a data source over a data network. Any type of data storage device may provide the data to an embodiment of the invention, either locally at a data processing system or over a data network, within the scope of the invention.
The illustrative embodiments are described using specific code, designs, architectures, protocols, layouts, schematics, and tools only as examples and are not limiting to the illustrative embodiments. Furthermore, the illustrative embodiments are described in some instances using particular software, tools, and data processing environments only as an example for the clarity of the description. The illustrative embodiments may be used in conjunction with other comparable or similarly purposed structures, systems, applications, or architectures. For example, other dental system, structures, applications, or architectures therefor, may be used in conjunction with such embodiment of the invention within the scope of the invention. An illustrative embodiment may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination thereof.
The examples in this disclosure are used only for the clarity of the description and are not limiting to the illustrative embodiments. Additional data, operations, actions, tasks, activities, and manipulations will be conceivable from this disclosure and the same are contemplated within the scope of the illustrative embodiments.
Any advantages listed herein are only examples and are not intended to be limiting to the illustrative embodiments. Additional or different advantages may be realized by specific illustrative embodiments. Furthermore, a particular illustrative embodiment may have some, all, or none of the advantages listed above.
With reference to the figures and in particular with reference to
Clients or servers are only example roles of certain data processing systems connected to network/communication infrastructure 102 and are not intended to exclude other configurations or roles for these data processing systems. Server 104 and server 106 couple to network/communication infrastructure 102 along with storage unit 108. Software applications may execute on any computer in data processing environment 100. Client 110, client 112, client 114 are also coupled to network/communication infrastructure 102. Client 110 may be a dental manufacturing system such as a dental acquisition unit with a display and a milling unit operatively connected thereto. A data processing system, such as server 104 or server 106, or clients (client 110, client 112, client 114) may contain data and may have software applications or software tools executing thereon.
Only as an example, and without implying any limitation to such architecture,
Dental scanner 122 includes one or more sensors that measure tooth geometry and/or color by obtaining a plurality of images through projections and combining the projections to obtain a three-dimensional (3D) image. In an example, the dental scanner 122 captures data points as often as several thousand times each second, automatically registering the sizes and shapes of each tooth. It continuously sends this data to the connected computer's software, which builds it into a 3D impression of the patient's oral cavity.
A most widely used digital format is the STL (Standard Tessellation Language) format. This format describes a succession of triangulated surfaces where each triangle is defined by three points and a normal surface. STL files may describe only the surface geometry of a three-dimensional object without any representation of color, texture or other CAD model attributes. However, other file formats have been developed to record color, transparency, or texture of dental tissues (such as Polygon File Format, PLY files). Irrespective of the type of imaging technology employed, scanners or cameras project light that is then recorded as individual images and compiled by the software after recognition of POI (points of interest). For example, two coordinates (x and y) of each point are evaluated on the image, and the third coordinate (z) is then calculated depending on a distance from the scanner.
Client application 120 or any other application 116 implements an embodiment described herein. Client application 120 can use data from dental scanner 122 to generate restoration proposals. Client application 120 can also automatically derive input data from a CAD/CAM resource module 324 for use in proposing restoration geometries and dental parameters.
Client application 120 can also execute in any of data processing systems (server 104 or server 106, client 110, client 112, client 114), such as client application 116 in server 104 and need not execute in the same system as client 110.
Server 104, server 106, storage unit 108, client 110, client 112, client 114, may couple to network/communication infrastructure 102 using wired connections, wireless communication protocols, or other suitable data connectivity. Client 110, client 112 and client 114 may be, for example, personal computers or network computers.
In the depicted example, server 104 may provide data, such as boot files, operating system images, and applications to client 110, client 112, and client 114. Client 110, client 112 and client 114 may be clients to server 104 in this example. Client 110, client 112 and client 114 or some combination thereof, may include their own data, boot files, operating system images, and applications. Data processing environment 100 may include additional servers, clients, and other devices that are not shown. Server 104 includes an application 116 that may be configured to implement one or more of the functions described herein for displaying a live control view in accordance with one or more embodiments.
Server 106 may include a search engine configured to search stored files such as images, 3D models of patients and preferences for a dental practice in response to a request from an operator as described herein with respect to various embodiments.
In the depicted example, data processing environment 100 may be the Internet. Network/communication infrastructure 102 may represent a collection of networks and gateways that use the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and other protocols to communicate with one another. At the heart of the Internet is a backbone of data communication links between major nodes or host computers, including thousands of dental practices, commercial, governmental, educational, and other computer systems that route data and messages. Of course, data processing environment 100 also may be implemented as a number of different types of networks, such as for example, an intranet, a local area network (LAN), or a wide area network (WAN).
Among other uses, data processing environment 100 may be used for implementing a client-server environment in which the illustrative embodiments may be implemented. A client-server environment enables software applications and data to be distributed across a network such that an application functions by using the interactivity between a client data processing system and a server data processing system. Data processing environment 100 may also employ a service-oriented architecture where interoperable software components distributed across a network may be packaged together as coherent business applications. Data processing environment 100 may also take the form of a cloud, and employ a cloud computing model of service delivery for enabling convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g. networks, network bandwidth, servers, processing, memory, storage, applications, virtual machines, and services) that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or interaction with a provider of the service.
With reference to
Data processing system 200 is described as a computer only as an example, without being limited thereto. Implementations in the form of other devices, in
In the depicted example, data processing system 200 employs a hub architecture including North Bridge and memory controller hub (NB/MCH) 202 and South Bridge and input/output (I/O) controller hub (SB/ICH) 204. Processing unit 206, main memory 208, and graphics processor 210 are coupled to North Bridge and memory controller hub (NB/MCH) 202. Processing unit 206 may contain one or more processors and may be implemented using one or more heterogeneous processor systems. Processing unit 206 may be a multi-core processor. Graphics processor 210 may be coupled to North Bridge and memory controller hub (NB/MCH) 202 through an accelerated graphics port (AGP) in certain implementations.
In the depicted example, local area network (LAN) adapter 212 is coupled to South Bridge and input/output (I/O) controller hub (SB/ICH) 204. Audio adapter 216, keyboard and mouse adapter 220, modem 222, read only memory (ROM) 224, universal serial bus (USB) and other ports 232, and PCI/PCIe devices 234 are coupled to South Bridge and input/output (I/O) controller hub (SB/ICH) 204 through bus 218. Hard disk drive (HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD) 226a and CD-ROM 230 are coupled to South Bridge and input/output (I/O) controller hub (SB/ICH) 204 through bus 228. PCI/PCIe devices 234 may include, for example, Ethernet adapters, add-in cards, and PC cards for notebook computers. PCI uses a card bus controller, while PCIe does not. Read only memory (ROM) 224 may be, for example, a flash binary input/output system (BIOS). Hard disk drive (HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD) 226a and CD-ROM 230 may use, for example, an integrated drive electronics (IDE), serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) interface, or variants such as external-SATA (eSATA) and micro-SATA (mSATA). A super I/O (SIO) device 236 may be coupled to South Bridge and input/output (I/O) controller hub (SB/ICH) 204 through bus 218.
Memories, such as main memory 208, read only memory (ROM) 224, or flash memory (not shown), are some examples of computer usable storage devices. Hard disk drive (HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD) 226a, CD-ROM 230, and other similarly usable devices are some examples of computer usable storage devices including a computer usable storage medium.
An operating system runs on processing unit 206. The operating system coordinates and provides control of various components within data processing system 200 in
Instructions for the operating system, the object-oriented programming system, and applications or programs, such as application 116 and client application 120 in
Furthermore, in one case, code 226b may be downloaded over network 214a from remote system 214b, where similar code 214c is stored on a storage device 214d in another case, code 226b may be downloaded over network 214a to remote system 214b, where downloaded code 214c is stored on a storage device 214d.
The hardware in
In some illustrative examples, data processing system 200 may be a personal digital assistant (PDA), which is generally configured with flash memory to provide non-volatile memory for storing operating system files and/or user-generated data. A bus system may comprise one or more buses, such as a system bus, an I/O bus, and a PCI bus. Of course, the bus system may be implemented using any type of communications fabric or architecture that provides for a transfer of data between different components or devices attached to the fabric or architecture.
A communications unit may include one or more devices used to transmit and receive data, such as a modem or a network adapter. A memory may be, for example, main memory 208 or a cache, such as the cache found in North Bridge and memory controller hub (NB/MCH) 202. A processing unit may include one or more processors or CPUs.
The depicted examples in
Where a computer or data processing system is described as a virtual machine, a virtual device, or a virtual component, the virtual machine, virtual device, or the virtual component operates in the manner of data processing system 200 using virtualized manifestation of some or all components depicted in data processing system 200. For example, in a virtual machine, virtual device, or virtual component, processing unit 206 is manifested as a virtualized instance of all or some number of hardware processing units 206 available in a host data processing system, main memory 208 is manifested as a virtualized instance of all or some portion of main memory 208 that may be available in the host data processing system, and Hard disk drive (HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD) 226a is manifested as a virtualized instance of all or some portion of Hard disk drive (HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD) 226a that may be available in the host data processing system. The host data processing system in such cases is represented by data processing system 200.
With reference to
Application 304 may automatically derive input data from a CAD/CAM resource module 324 (computer aided design/computer aided manufacturing resource module). The CAD/CAM resource module 324 may be a dental software component that retrieves data from individual phases of a dental software workflow and/or prepares said data for use as CAD/CAM input data 320. For example, through access to a 3D model of a patient's jaw obtained through a 3D scan with dental scanner 122 in a scanning phase, CAD/CAM resource module 324 may automatically derive, through image analysis identifying a scan body, a “tooth number” representative of a tooth to be restored, thus preventing the practitioner from needing to manually enter said tooth number. Said “tooth number” may thus become part of input data 302. In another example, the CAD/CAM resource module 324 automatically detects a drilled cavity in a scanned tooth, by for example, image analysis and derives an “inlay” as a type of restoration to be designed. Thus, an “inlay” becomes a part of input data 302. Further, the CAD/CAM resource module 324 detects from preferences 322 obtained from, for example, patient profile, practitioner profile, group profile, connected devices etc. From a patient profile, an esthetic material may be preferred. Normally, 1-3 mm of maxillary incisal tooth structure shows at rest in a youthful smile. From this position, if the patient has a high esthetic demand and shows a great deal of tooth structure (more than 7 mm of lip hypermobility when smiling, according to the patient's profile), a material that is as cosmetic as possible may usually be chosen as input to a machine learning engine in order to obtain dental parameter output proposals. However, the CAD/CAM resource module 324, having access to the patient's profile or scan data detects evidence of occlusal-muscle disorders, masticatory muscle soreness or fatigue (tension headaches), TMJ (temporomandibular joint) issues, tooth wear, etc. Since these issues may affect the appropriateness of output proposals, they may form part of a set of dependencies 326 to be used as input data for proposals generation. Other dependencies include, for example, whether an “extra fine” machining mode is compatible with sinterable materials or whether a late change to a restoration design in a dental software maintains restoration integrity with or without a corresponding change in a pre-defined property (e.g. whether a late change can taking into consideration margin enforcement). Further, individual portions of the input data 302 may be weighted or prioritized to drive corresponding changes in proposals. These dependencies may be complex, need significant education and may not always be accessible to every user. Thus, not taking said dependencies into account may result in sub-optimal machining results, processes and cost.
In an embodiment, feature extraction component 314 is configured to generate relevant features for a proposal based on data from all the different available features (e.g., CAD/CAM input data 320, preferences 322). In the embodiment, feature extraction component 314 receives a request from application 304 which includes at least an identification of a recommendation/proposal type needed (e.g. Restoration recommendation 410 or manufacturing parameter recommendation 422 as shown in
In one of more illustrative embodiments, the feature extraction component 314 is incorporated in a deep neural network. The configuration recommendation module 316 uses the obtained features to generate proposals 312. The configuration recommendation module 316 can be based, for example, on an artificial machine learning neural network such as a convolutional neural network (CNN), though it is not meant to be limiting. It is a feed-forward artificial neural network which in a classic form consists of a convolutional layer, followed by a pooling layer. The CNN learns by learning free parameters or classifiers of the convolution kernel per layer and their weighting when calculating the next layer. A training of the m/l model 306 or configuration recommendation module 316 according to an illustrative embodiment is discussed hereinafter.
In an illustrative embodiment, presentation module 308 of application 304 displays proposals obtained from the configuration recommendation module 316. The presentation module 308 may display, for example, a slider showing a range of machining speeds with a proposed machining speed being pre-selected for the practitioner. In another example, a proposed minimum wall thickness is displayed or drawn on a restoration design. An adaptation module 310 is configured to receive input from the practitioner to adapt the proposals 312 if necessary. For example, changing a proposed margin line may cause recalculation of a proposed restoration geometry for presentation by the presentation module 308. In an illustrative embodiment, the presentation module 308 presents a machining interface 500, as shown in
Feedback module 318 optionally collects user feedback 322 relative to the proposals 312. In one embodiment, application 304 is configured not only to present recommendations 410 and 412 but also to provide a method for a dental practitioner to input a feedback, where the feedback is indicative of an accuracy of the recommendation. Feedback module 318 applies the feedback in a machine learning technique such as to dependencies 326 or user profiles to modify the m/l model 306 used in the configuration recommendation module 316.
In an illustrative embodiment, after proposing a recommendation, the application 304 may perform additional operations automatically or in response to a request. Based on the available manufacturing devices and preferences of the user automatic steps may be defined including a) an automatic generation of the ideal restoration based on material, hardware, instruments/tools and user preferences (level of detail of fissures etc.). b) automatic optimization of the restoration parameters (minimum wall thickness, level of detail, edge enhancement etc.) for the a preferred machining method (grinding, milling, printing, tools, machining detail level (fine, fast, extra fine, extra fast etc.) and a given restoration geometry, c) automatic positioning inside of a machining medium (e.g. a block) of a dental manufacturing system for optimal use of the material (minimal usage of material/tool, correct color at block with color gradient) with best possible quality/performance, optimal positioning and size of tapping place, i.e. position of the pin, where the restoration is mounted to the block holder before cutting off, (the size depends on machining type, device and material), d) wear status of the tools taken into account for machining job, and e) consideration of user preferences for setting of properties. Of course, these are merely non-limiting examples and other examples are possible based on descriptions herein.
The input layer of the neural network model can be, for example, a vector representative of a restoration type, pixels of a 2D image, 2.5D images having depth information and gray level information, 3D points of 3D images or 3D scans in a gird-like form etc. In an example, a first CNN uses convolution to extract features from an input image. A second CNN uses up-sampling or transpose convolution to create a prediction of how the object would look in three-dimensions, from the features extracted by the first neural network.
The neural network m/l model 306 is trained using various types of training data sets including static and dynamic CAD and CAM inputs as well as preferences. In an embodiment, upon receiving a request to provide a recommendation, application 304 creates an array of values that are input to the input neurons of the m/l model 306 to produce an array that contains the recommendation/proposal 312. As shown in
By selecting a diverse set of training data 604, the program code trains machine learning model 608 to identify and weight various attributes of patients, practitioners, devices connected to the dental system, etc. To utilize the machine learning model 608, the program code obtains (or derives) input data or features to generate an array of values to input into input neurons of a neural network. Responsive to these inputs, the output neurons of the neural network produce an array that includes the proposals 312 to be presented contemporaneously on a display.
With reference to
Further, the application 304 may receive a user feedback input relative. The application analyzes the said feedback input and the application reinforces the m/l model 306 of the configuration recommendation module 316. If the feedback is satisfactory or unsatisfactory as to the accuracy of the proposal, the application strengthens or weakens parameters of the m/l model 306 respectively. The application 304 ends the process 700 thereafter.
Thus, a computer implemented method, system or apparatus, and computer program product are provided in the illustrative embodiments for intelligent dental workflow configurations and other related features, functions, or operations. Where an embodiment or a portion thereof is described with respect to a type of device, the computer implemented method, system or apparatus, the computer program product, or a portion thereof, are adapted or configured for use with a suitable and comparable manifestation of that type of device.
Where an embodiment is described as implemented in an application, the delivery of the application in a Software as a Service (SaaS) model is contemplated within the scope of the illustrative embodiments. In a SaaS model, the capability of the application implementing an embodiment is provided to a user by executing the application in a cloud infrastructure. The user can access the application using a variety of client devices through a thin client interface such as a web browser (e.g., web-based e-mail), or other light-weight client-applications. The user does not manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructure including the network, servers, operating systems, or the storage of the cloud infrastructure. In some cases, the user may not even manage or control the capabilities of the SaaS application. In some other cases, the SaaS implementation of the application may permit a possible exception of limited user-specific application configuration settings.
The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computer program product at any possible technical detail level of integration. The computer program product may include a computer readable storage medium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention.
The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that can retain and store instructions for use by an instruction execution device. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of the computer readable storage medium includes the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such as punch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructions recorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. A computer readable storage medium, including but not limited to computer-readable storage devices as used herein, is not to be construed as being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmitted through a wire.
Computer readable program instructions described herein can be downloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computer readable storage medium or to an external computer or external storage device via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprise copper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in each computing/processing device receives computer readable program instructions from the network and forwards the computer readable program instructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium within the respective computing/processing device.
Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations of the present invention may be assembler instructions, instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, configuration data for integrated circuitry, or either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Smalltalk, Python, C++, or the like, and procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The computer readable program instructions may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readable program instructions by utilizing state information of the computer readable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present invention.
Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable program instructions.
These computer readable program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can direct a computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the computer readable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises an article of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects of the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computer implemented process, such that the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in the Figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.
