Systems and methods for personalizing software programs

• US 8,484,567 B2
• Filed: 05/27/2005
• Issued: 07/09/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SAP SE
• Original Assignee: SAP AG (SAP SE)
• Inventors: Ahlert, Dirk, Guenther, Christian, Kountz, Jochen
• Primary Examiner(s): Lo, Weilun
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hassan, Rashedul
• Application Number:
  US11/138,689
• Publication Number:
  US 20050273719A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,965 Days
• Field of Search: 715/745, 715/735, 715/744, 715/747, 715/765
• US Class Current: 715/745
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/44505 Configuring for program initiating, e.g. using registry, configuration files

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for personalizing software programs in a computer system. In accordance with one implementation, default values for personalization data adapted to or harmonized with the individual needs or preferences of the end-user are provided to a plurality of end-users at start-up of a program. Further, two personalization levels are provided, including a first personalization level containing administrative personalization data which can be set by a system administrator, and a second personalization level containing individual personalization data, which can be set by the end-user. A data filing system for this personalization data may be of a hierarchical structure.

Claims

1. A method for personalizing software programs in a computer system, comprising:

determining default values for personalization data for a plurality of end-users at start-up of a program in the computer system, the default values being personalized individually with regard to a specific end-user such that the program started-up by the end-user runs in a fashion that is adapted to the individual needs or preferences of the end-user as determined by the personalization data;

providing two levels of personalization, in each of which personalization data for the end-users can be stored, the two levels of personalization including a first, administrative personalization level containing administrative personalization data for the end-user which can be set by a system administrator, but not by the end-user, and a second, individual personalization level containing additional, individual personalization data, which can be set by the end-user, wherein the individual personalization data of the individual personalization level overrides, modifies, or limits the administrative personalization data of the administrative personalization level;

displaying, to the end-user, information related to the personalization data stored in the levels for the end-user, at the start-up of the program, the displayed information corresponding to an input mask used to capture the personalization data;

arranging, in the computer system, a hierarchical personalization data filling system comprising personalization nodes and an ordering node arranged in a tree structure, the personalization nodes being assigned at least one personalization characteristic, wherein the ordering node is used for implementing an ordering function and is not associated with a personalization characteristic, and wherein when the program reads out the personalization data on personalization characteristics of a lower-ranking personalization node, the program is automatically provided also with the personalization data on personalization characteristics of personalization nodes ranking higher in the direct analytical path; and

accessing the program remotely by using a different computer system such that the parameterized program is automatically and remotely adapted to the preferences of the end-user based on the personalization data.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the computer system comprises a dialog software for the input of personalization data for the end-users by at least one of the end-user and the system administrator, and wherein the dialog software comprises input masks.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the dialog software is a browser software for web applications.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the personalization characteristics is assigned to each of the personalization nodes.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method is set in a software application which personalization data is retrieved from.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the personalization data is read-out in sequential order.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the sequential order is set in the application program.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the personalization data comprises default values for certain user profiles.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the personalization data can be input by the end-user or the administrator in a personalization dialog.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the administrator can set which personalization data can be changed individually by the end-user and which personalization data cannot be changed individually by an end-user.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the computer system comprises a tool for automatic determination of administrative personalization data.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the automatic determination of personalization data is performed on the level of end-user authorizations.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the computer system comprises a tool for automatic determination of individual standard personalization data.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein a time dependence associated with personalization data is stored along with personalization data.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the computer system comprises dynamic calculation of personalization data by means of personalization variables.

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein the corresponding personalization data can be stored only in the form of a single or in multiple flags.

17. The method according to claim 1, wherein the corresponding personalization data is stored in the form of single values, intervals or groups.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the personalized intervals or groups are resolved into their single values and stored.

19. The method according to claim 1, wherein the software application being executed reads out the stored personalization data and takes it into account in its processing.

20. The method according to claim 1, wherein the personalization data is stored in a server only, but not in the client, such that it is provided to the end-user regardless of which client he uses for logging into the computer system.

21. A computer program product tangibly embodied in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, the storage medium comprising instructions which when executed on a processor, cause the processor to perform a method, the method comprising:

determining default values for personalization data for a plurality of end-users at start-up of a program in the computer system, the default values being personalized individually with regard to a specific end-user such that the program started-up by the end-user runs in a fashion that is adapted to the individual needs or preferences of the end-user as determined by the personalization data;

providing two levels of personalization, in each of which personalization data for the end-users can be stored, the two levels of personalization including a first, administrative personalization level containing administrative personalization data for the end-user which can be set by a system administrator, but not by the end-user, and a second, individual personalization level containing additional, individual personalization data, which can be set by the end-user, wherein the individual personalization data of the individual personalization level overrides, modifies, or limits the administrative personalization data of the administrative personalization level;

displaying, to the end-user, information related to the personalization data stored in the levels for the end-user, at the start-up of the program, the displayed information corresponding to an input mask used to capture the personalization data;

arranging, in the computer system, a hierarchical personalization data filling system comprising personalization nodes and an ordering node arranged in a tree structure, the personalization nodes being assigned at least one personalization characteristic, wherein the ordering node is used for implementing an ordering function and is not associated with a personalization characteristic, and wherein when the program reads out the personalization data on personalization characteristics of a lower-ranking personalization node, the program is automatically provided also with the personalization data on personalization characteristics of personalization nodes ranking higher in the direct analytical path; and

accessing the program remotely by using a different computer system such that the parameterized program is automatically and remotely adapted to the preferences of the end-user based on the personalization data.

22. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containing instructions, which when executed on a processor, cause the processor to perform a method for personalizing software programs in a computer system, the method comprising:

determining default values for personalization data for a plurality of end-users at start-up of a program in the computer system, the default values being personalized individually with regard to a specific end-user such that the program started-up by the end-user runs in a fashion that is adapted to the individual needs or preferences of the end-user as determined by the personalization data;

providing two levels of personalization, in each of which personalization data for the end-users can be stored, the two levels of personalization including a first, administrative personalization level containing administrative personalization data for the end-user which can be set by a system administrator, but not by the end-user, and a second, individual personalization level containing additional, individual personalization data, which can be set by the end-user, wherein the individual personalization data of the individual personalization level overrides, modifies, or limits the administrative personalization data of the administrative personalization level;

displaying, to the end-user, information related to the personalization data stored in the levels for the end-user, at the start-up of the program, the displayed information corresponding to an input mask used to capture the personalization data;

arranging, in the computer system, a hierarchical personalization data filling system comprising personalization nodes and an ordering node arranged in a tree structure, the personalization nodes being assigned at least one personalization characteristic, wherein the ordering node is used for implementing an ordering function and is not associated with a personalization characteristic, and wherein when the program reads out the personalization data on personalization characteristics of a lower-ranking personalization node, the program is automatically provided also with the personalization data on personalization characteristics of personalization nodes ranking higher in the direct analytical path; and

accessing the program remotely by using a different computer system such that the parameterized program is automatically and remotely adapted to the preferences of the end-user based on the personalization data.

23. A method for personalizing software programs in a computer system, comprising:

determining default values for personalization data for a plurality of end-users at start-up of a program in the computer system, the default values being personalized individually with regard to a specific end-user such that the program started-up by the end-user runs in a fashion that is adapted to the individual needs or preferences of the end-user as determined by the personalization data;

providing two levels of personalization, in each of which personalization data for the end-users can be stored, the two levels of personalization including a first, administrative personalization level containing administrative personalization data for the end-user which can be set by a system administrator, but not by the end-user, and a second, individual personalization level containing additional, individual personalization data, which can be set by the end-user, wherein the individual personalization data of the individual personalization level overrides, modifies, or limits the administrative personalization data of the administrative personalization level;

displaying, to the end-user, information related to the personalization data stored in the levels for the end-user, at the start-up of the program, the displayed information corresponding to an input mask used to capture the personalization data;

arranging, in the computer system, a hierarchical personalization data filling system comprising personalization nodes and an ordering node arranged in a tree structure, the personalization nodes being assigned at least one personalization characteristic, wherein the ordering node is used for implementing an ordering function and is not associated with a personalization characteristic;

reading out, using the program, the personalization data on personalization characteristics of a lower-ranking personalization node, the program being automatically provided with the personalization data on personalization characteristics of personalization nodes ranking higher in the direct analytical path of the lower-ranking personalization node;

accessing, using the program, at least one personalization node, assigned to at least one personalization characteristic corresponding to the specific end-user, on a hierarchy level of the tree structure, the program being provided with a complete context, the complete context comprising the personalization data of the at least one personalization node and the personalization data of personalization nodes ranked higher than the hierarchy level, the personalization data of the complete context including the administrative personalization data stored in the administrative personalization level and the individual personalization data stored in the individual personalization level, wherein based on the hierarchy level of the personalization characteristic corresponding to the specific end-user, the individual personalization data and the administrative personalization data of the complete context is available for accessing at the at least one personalization node; and

accessing the program remotely by using a different computer system such that the parameterized program is automatically and remotely adapted to the preferences of the end-user based on the personalization data.