Multiple configurable customization layer system, method and computer program product

• US 9,141,409 B2
• Filed: 09/14/2011
• Issued: 09/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Amdocs Development Limited (Amdocs Ltd.), Amdocs Software Systems Limited (Amdocs Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Amdocs Software Systems Limited (Amdocs Ltd.)
• Inventors: Yonat, Ram
• Primary Examiner(s): Bullock, Jr., Lewis A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dang, Christine
• Application Number:
  US13/232,921
• Publication Number:
  US 20120005666A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,469 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/70 Software maintenance or management
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/44526 Plug-ins; Add-ons

Abstract

A system, method and computer program product are provided for customizing a core program. In use, a core program is provided. In addition, a plurality of configurable customization layers are provided, each for customizing at least one aspect of the core program or one of the configurable customization layers.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a processor for;

identifying an application installed on the system;

adding a first customization layer to the application, including placing a first exit point in the application such that the application utilizes the functionality of the first customization layer via the first exit point;

blocking the first exit point by the first customization layer, such that subsequent customization layers cannot utilize the first exit point;

adding a second customization layer to the first customization layer and the application, including placing a second exit point in the first customization layer such that the first customization layer utilizes the functionality of the second customization layer via the second exit point; and

packaging the first and second customization layers such that the first and second customization layers are represented as a single software development kit (SDK) to a subsequent customization layer, the SDK including a plurality of application programming interfaces (APIs), programming tools, and documentation.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein one of the first and second customization layers includes a generic customization layer.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the generic customization layer is capable of being reused by a plurality of customization personnel.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein one of the first and second customization layers includes a specific customization layer.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the specific customization layer is positioned on top of the generic customization layer.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the specific customization layer is capable of being used by a single user.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first customization layer includes an extension of an application programming interface, where the application program interface is exposed by the first customization layer.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the first customization layer includes an introduction of an application program interface.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the first exit point is capable of being customized by only a subset of additional configurable customization layers.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the application includes a billing program.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the application exposes one of the plurality of application program interfaces.

11. A computer program product embodied on a non-transitory computer readable medium, comprising non-transitory computer code for:

identifying an application installed on the system;

adding a first customization layer to the application, including placing a first exit point in the application such that the application utilizes the functionality of the first customization layer via the first exit point;

blocking the first exit point by the first customization layer, such that subsequent customization layers cannot utilize the first exit point;

adding a second customization layer to the first customization layer and the application, including placing a second exit point in the first customization layer such that the first customization layer utilizes the functionality of the second customization layer via the second exit point; and

packaging the first and second customization layers such that the first and second customization layers are represented as a single software development kit (SDK) to a subsequent customization layer, the SDK including a plurality of application programming interfaces (APIs), programming tools, and documentation.

12. A method, comprising:

identifying an application installed on the system;

adding a first customization layer to the application, including placing a first exit point in the application such that the application utilizes the functionality of the first customization layer via the first exit point;

blocking the first exit point by the first customization layer, such that subsequent customization layers cannot utilize the first exit point;

adding a second customization layer to the first customization layer and the application, including placing a second exit point in the first customization layer such that the first customization layer utilizes the functionality of the second customization layer via the second exit point; and

packaging the first and second customization layers such that the first and second customization layers are represented as a single software development kit (SDK) to a subsequent customization layer, the SDK including a plurality of application programming interfaces (APIs), programming tools and documentation.