Custom help systems by runtime modification of generic help files

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9690444-B1
Application number	US-201313834465-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Mar 15, 2013
Priority date	Mar 15, 2013
Publication date	Jun 27, 2017
Grant date	Jun 27, 2017

Abstract

A method delivers a help process customized for a particular operating environment using a help system that initially has more generic content. The method includes obtaining system-specific information about a target system. A wrapper is instantiated by invoking it with the system-specific information as invocation parameters, the wrapper providing wrapper methods for modifying help content files of the help system that initially store the more generic content. The wrapper then (1) instantiates the help system, and (2) uses the wrapper methods to modify the help content files based on the invocation parameters to include the system-specific information instead of or in addition to the more generic content. The help system subsequently uses the help content files as modified in subsequent operation. In operation, the help system reflects the system-specific information, providing desirable customized functionality while leveraging automated design tools used to generate the more generic help system content.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method of operating a workstation to provide a customized help process customized for a particular operating environment using a help system initially having more generic content, comprising:
executing an application having a graphical user interface, the graphical user interface including a GUI controller;
by the GUI controller of the graphical user interface:
(1) obtaining system-specific information about a particular target system for which the help system is to provide help;
(2) instantiating a wrapper for the help system by invoking the wrapper with the system-specific information as invocation parameters, the wrapper including executable code providing wrapper methods for modifying help content files of a generic help system that initially store the more generic content; and

by execution of the executable code upon instantiation of the wrapper, (1) instantiating the help system with the help content files having the more generic content, and (2) using the wrapper methods to modify the help content files based on the invocation parameters to include the system-specific information instead of or in addition to the more generic content, the modifying of the help content files transforming the help system into a customized help system using the help content files as modified to provide help customized for the target system in subsequent operation,
wherein the wrapper is implemented using hypertext markup language or Javascript containing the executable code, and is dynamically generated using request body data, allowing for a large number of configuration changes.

2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the more generic content is provided by or on behalf of a manufacturer of the target system and include manufacturer-specific information, and the system-specific information includes third-party-specific information of a third party having a particular post-manufacturing role with respect to the target system.

3. A method according to claim 2 , wherein the third party is a reseller or other intermediate supplier of the target system.

4. A method according to claim 2 , wherein the third party is a service vendor providing post-manufacturing services for the target system.

5. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the generic content is provided in the form of hypertext pages or code modules, and the wrapper methods are operative to replace data and code in the hypertext pages or code modules.

6. A method according to claim 5 , wherein the hypertext pages or code modules include presentation code describing display elements for displaying information in the graphical user interface, and the wrapper methods are operative to modify the presentation code to add, modify and/or delete descriptions of the display elements.

7. A method according to claim 6 , wherein the display elements include hypertext links and/or tabs.

8. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the methods of the wrapper are invoked by initiating operation of the help system with parameters specifying content changes to be made.

9. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the wrapper employs a property file storing system-specific values to be used in displaying the system-specific information.

10. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the wrapper includes (1) a customization file including a set of customized values, and (2) code referring to the customized values using high-level variable names, whereby the code can be reused across multiple types of systems.

11. A method according to claim 10 , wherein a high-level variable name describes a class, and the customization file maps the high-level variable name to a particular instance of the class.

12. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer program instructions, the instructions being executable by a computer to cause the computer to perform a method of providing a customized help process customized for a particular operating environment using a help system initially having more generic content, the method including:
executing an application having a graphical user interface, the graphical user interface including a GUI controller;
by the GUI controller of the graphical user interface:
(1) obtaining system-specific information about a particular target system for which the help system is to provide help;
(2) instantiating a wrapper for the help system by invoking the wrapper with the system-specific information as invocation parameters, the wrapper including executable code providing wrapper methods for modifying help content files of a generic help system that initially store the more generic content; and

by execution of the executable code upon instantiation of the wrapper, (1) instantiating the help system with the help content files having the more generic content, and (2) using the wrapper methods to modify the help content files based on the invocation parameters to include the system-specific information instead of or in addition to the more generic content, the modifying of the help content files transforming the help system into a customized help system using the help content files as modified to provide help customized for the target system in subsequent operation,
wherein the wrapper is implemented using hypertext markup language or Javascript containing the executable code, and is dynamically generated using request body data, allowing for a large number of configuration changes.

13. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 12 , wherein the more generic content is provided by or on behalf of a manufacturer of the target system and include manufacturer-specific information, and the system-specific information includes third-party-specific information of a third party having a particular post-manufacturing role with respect to the target system.

14. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 13 , wherein the third party is a reseller or other intermediate supplier of the target system.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 13 , wherein the third party is a service vendor providing post-manufacturing services for the target system.

16. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 12 , wherein the generic content is provided in the form of hypertext pages or code modules, and the wrapper methods are operative to replace data and code in the hypertext pages or code modules.

17. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 16 , wherein the hypertext pages or code modules include presentation code describing display elements for displaying information, and the wrapper methods are operative to modify the presentation code to add, modify and/or delete descriptions of display elements.

18. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 17 , wherein the display elements include hypertext links and/or tabs.

19. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 12 , wherein the methods of the wrapper are invoked by initiating operation of the help system with parameters specifying content changes to be made.

20. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 12 , wherein the wrapper employs a property file storing system-specific values to be used in displaying the system-specific information.

21. A computer, comprising:
a display for presenting a graphical user interface including a customized help process;
an interface to a target system for which the customized help process is to be provided; an

Assignees

• Emc Corp
• Emc Ip Holding Co Llc

Inventors

• Joyce Scott E
• Miles Norman M
• Rabe Bruce R

Classifications

• G06F3/0481 Primary

  based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance · CPC title

• G06F8/71

  Version control (security arrangements therefor G06F21/57); Configuration management · CPC title

• G06F8/20

  Software design · CPC title

• G06F9/453 Primary

  Help systems · CPC title