U.S. patent application number 12/634478 was filed with the patent office on 2011-06-09 for payment using unique product identifier codes.
This patent application is currently assigned to EBAY INC.. Invention is credited to Aalap D. Parikh.
Application Number | 20110137742 12/634478 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44082929 |
Filed Date | 2011-06-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110137742 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Parikh; Aalap D. |
June 9, 2011 |
PAYMENT USING UNIQUE PRODUCT IDENTIFIER CODES
Abstract
Various methods and systems are provided to capture a unique
product code, such as QR code, on a mobile device, process the
information contained in the code, provide the user with options of
making a purchase, including purchasing a plurality of selected
products from different captured codes, and processing the payment
via the user's mobile device.
Inventors: |
Parikh; Aalap D.; (Fremont,
CA) |
Assignee: |
EBAY INC.
San Jose
CA
|
Family ID: |
44082929 |
Appl. No.: |
12/634478 |
Filed: |
December 9, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
705/26.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/0601 20130101;
G06Q 20/04 20130101; G06Q 20/3276 20130101; G06Q 30/06 20130101;
G06Q 20/12 20130101; G06Q 30/0635 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/26.1 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 30/00 20060101
G06Q030/00; G06Q 20/00 20060101 G06Q020/00 |
Claims
1. A method of performing on-line transactions, comprising:
receiving information about a product from a user, where the
information is from a unique product code captured by a user
device, wherein the information comprises price, product
information, and account information of a recipient and wherein the
unique product code is remote from and not attached to a
corresponding product; receiving information from the user a desire
to purchase the product associated with the unique product code;
processing, by a processor, the information about the product and
the information to purchase the product; and transferring funds
from an account of the user to an account of the recipient.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the unique product code is a
two-dimensional code.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the product code is a quick
response (QR) code.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising presenting to the user
a plurality of different funding sources for payment of the
product.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the information about the product
and the information to purchase the product are received from a
single action by the user.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining whether
the user has an account with a payment provider.
7. The method of claim 6, further comprising creating an account
flow if the user does not have an account with a payment
provider.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the transferring of funds
comprises re-directing the user to a payment provider site to enter
information for making the purchase.
9. The method of claim 8, further comprising re-directing the user
back to a merchant site after entering the information on the
payment provider site.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the product code is captured by
a camera.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein the product code is captured by
a scanner.
12. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving information
about multiple products from the user, where the information is
from unique product codes captured by a user device and wherein the
information comprises price, product information, and account
information of a recipient for specific ones of the products.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising receiving
information from the user a desire to purchase selected ones of the
products associated with the unique product codes.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising processing a single
payment request from the user of the selected ones of the
products.
15. The method of claim 1, further comprising confirming the
transfer of funds.
16. A non-transitory machine-readable medium comprising a plurality
of machine-readable instructions which when executed by one or more
processors of a server are adapted to cause the server to perform a
method comprising: receiving information about a product from a
user, where the information is from a unique product code captured
by a user device, wherein the information comprises price, product
information, and account information of a recipient and wherein the
unique product code is remote from and not attached to a
corresponding product; receiving information from the user a desire
to purchase the product associated with the unique product code;
processing, by a processor, the information about the product and
the information to purchase the product; and transferring funds
from an account of the user to an account of the recipient.
17. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 16, wherein
the unique product code is a two-dimensional code.
18. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 16, wherein
the product code is a quick response (QR) code.
19. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 16, wherein
the method further comprises presenting to the user a plurality of
different funding sources for payment of the product.
20. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 16, wherein
the information about the product and the information to purchase
the product are received from a single action by the user.
21. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 16, wherein
the method further comprises receiving information about multiple
products from the user, where the information is from unique
product codes captured by a user device and wherein the information
comprises price, product information, and account information of a
recipient for specific ones of the products.
22. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 21, wherein
the method further comprises receiving information from the user a
desire to purchase selected ones of the products associated with
the unique product codes.
23. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 22, wherein
the method further comprises processing a single payment request
from the user of the selected ones of the products.
24. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 22, wherein
the method further comprises confirming the transfer of funds.
25. An on-line payment processing system comprising: means for
receiving information about a product from a user, where the
information is from a unique product code captured by a user
device, wherein the information comprises price, product
information, and account information of a recipient and wherein the
unique product code is remote from and not attached to a
corresponding product; means for receiving information from the
user a desire to purchase the product associated with the unique
product code; means for processing the information about the
product and the information to purchase the product; and means for
transferring funds from an account of the user to an account of the
recipient.
26. The system of claim 25, wherein the unique product code is a
two-dimensional code.
27. The system of claim 25, wherein the product code is a quick
response (QR) code.
28. The system of claim 25, wherein a plurality of different
funding sources for payment of the product is presented to the
user.
29. The system of claim 25, wherein the information about the
product and the information to purchase the product are received
from a single action by the user.
30. The system of claim 25, wherein the means for receiving
information about a product further receives information about
multiple products from the user, where the information is from
unique product codes captured by a user device and wherein the
information comprises price, product information, and account
information of a recipient for specific ones of the products.
31. The system of claim 26, wherein the means for receiving
information about a desire to purchase further receives information
from the user a desire to purchase selected ones of the products
associated with the unique product codes.
32. The system of claim 27, wherein the means for processing
further processes a single payment request from the user of the
selected ones of the products.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention generally relates to on-line payments
and more particularly to making payments using a product identifier
code.
[0003] 2. Related Art
[0004] More and more consumers are purchasing items and services
over electronic networks, such as the Internet. Consumers routinely
search for and purchase products and services from merchants and
individuals alike. The transactions can take place directly between
an on-line merchant or retailer and the consumer, where payment is
typically made by entering credit card or other financial
information. Transactions can also take place with the aid of an
on-line payment provider, such as PayPal, Inc. of San Jose, Calif.
Such payment providers can make transactions easier and safer for
the parties. Purchasing through the Internet from the convenience
of a consumer's home, office, or virtually anywhere (with mobile
devices) is one main reason why on-line purchases are growing
faster and faster.
[0005] One typical way consumers locate, identify, and pay for a
product is to simply go to a store, find the desired products, have
the products scanned at checkout, and pay at the store, such as
using cash, check, a debit card, a credit card, or
vouchers/coupons. However, this requires a consumer to be at a
physical point of sale (POS) and provide physical payment, which is
time-consuming and can be inconvenient and burdensome. Shopping
on-line overcomes at least the requirement of being at the POS.
With on-line shopping, the user searches the Internet, accesses a
retailer/merchant website, selects desired products, places them in
a virtual cart, and pays on-line, either directly to the merchant
or through a payment provider. A disadvantage of on-line shopping
is that the consumer must be in front of a PC or other computing
device, such that shopping and payment is confined to an experience
in front of the PC. Furthermore, it may be cumbersome and
time-consumer for the consumer to enter required information for an
on-line payment, which may include a credit card/account number,
billing address, etc.
[0006] Yet another way is for consumers to locate and purchase
products is to use a catalog, newspaper, advertisement pamphlet, or
other print media to first locate a product. Once located, the
consumer goes to the store or logs into a specified web site to
select and pay for the product(s), such as described above. Thus,
this method suffers the same disadvantages as the other two methods
of either purchase/payment in person at a physical POS or having to
be in front of a computing device for selection and payment.
[0007] Thus, there is a need for a way that consumers can select
and pay for a desired product without the disadvantages of the
conventional methods above.
SUMMARY
[0008] In accordance with one embodiment, a system and method
includes first capturing an image of a product code, such as by
taking a picture of the code with a camera on a phone. In one
embodiment, the code is a Quick Response (QR) code that includes
sufficient information about the product and price to allow the
user to purchase and pay for the product with information from the
code. Once captured on the mobile device, the image is processed to
obtain the product information, such as price, merchant, and
description. The user may then select the product for purchase.
Purchase may be accomplished with a simple payment button on the
device screen that the user selects. Product and payment
information may then be transmitted by the device to a payment
provider to process the payment to the appropriate recipient.
[0009] These and other features and advantages of the present
invention will be more readily apparent from the detailed
description of the embodiments set forth below taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0010] FIG. 1 shows a QR code affixed to a tangible medium, which
can be captured and used for payment according to one
embodiment;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a process for conducting a
purchase and payment from a captured QR code according to one
embodiment;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a process for conducting a
purchase and payment from a captured QR Code by a First-Time User
According to One Embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a networked system configured
to purchase and pay for an item associated with a captured QR code
in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and
[0014] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a computer system suitable for
implementing one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0015] Embodiments of the present disclosure and their advantages
are best understood by referring to the detailed description that
follows. It should be appreciated that like reference numerals are
used to identify like elements illustrated in one or more of the
figures, wherein showings therein are for purposes of illustrating
embodiments of the present disclosure and not for purposes of
limiting the same.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] FIG. 1 shows a two-dimensional product code affixed to
tangible medium, such as a piece of paper, container, or product,
or even a web page. In one embodiment, the two-dimensional code is
a quick response or QR code 102, created by Denso-Wave of Japan,
and the tangible medium is a page 104 from a catalog or magazine.
Other types of two-dimensional or other codes may also be suitable,
such as the PDF417 code by Symbol Technologies, the DataMatrix code
by RVSU Acuity CiMatrix, and the Maxi Code by UPS. QR code 102
contains information about an associated product or service on page
104. Note that as used herein, product or item refers to both
products and services. For example, page 104 may be advertising a
specific DVD, CD, watch, type of clothing, a motorcycle, or
virtually any product or service that is available for purchase.
Note that QR code can also be displayed on other medium, such as
the actual product itself, its container, or a web page. QR codes
and other similar codes are able to contain large amounts of
information, due in part to data being stored in both the
horizontal and vertical directions of the code. In contrast, bar
codes store data only in one direction, e.g., horizontally. As an
example of the information storage differences, a conventional bar
code can only store approximately 20 digits, while a QR code can
handle up to several hundred times more information (e.g., over
7000 numeric characters or over 4000 alphanumeric characters). QR
codes were created by Denso-Wave of Japan, and additional
information can be obtained through Denso-Wave's web site.
[0017] Due to the large amounts of information capable of being
stored on QR code 102, specific information may be encoded to
convey desired information about the product/service offered for
sale. In the example of FIG. 1, page 104 of the magazine may show
and briefly describe a product, such as a watch 106. However, page
104 may not have sufficient area to provide the consumer with all
the needed information about the product or the merchant/advertiser
may not want to clutter the page for fear of reducing the ad
appeal. QR code 102 on page 104 can be encoded to provide
information about watch 106 such as detailed product description, a
URL link to a website of a merchant offering the watch for sale, a
URL link to a website of the watch manufacturer, UPC code for the
watch, price, watch options, payment remittance information, etc.
Information on QR code 102 may be decoded to provide the user easy
access or display to such information, including giving the user an
option to pay for the product. Payment information may include
merchant name, account information (such as recipient account
number or identifier with a payment provider), and price.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a flowchart 200 showing processes for making an
on-line payment from a unique product code, such as QR code 102 of
FIG. 1, according to one embodiment. At step 202, a consumer or
user captures an image of the QR code, such as by taking a picture
of the code or scanning the code using a camera on a mobile phone
or any device that can capture an image. The QR code contains
sufficient information about the product, price, and merchant to
enable the user to purchase and pay for the product from the
information contained in the product code. The QR code can then be
decoded or processed, such as by software in the phone, at step
204. QR code reader/decoder software is commonly available. Once
processed, content from the QR code is displayed on the user device
at step 206.
[0019] The type of display can vary depending on the content of the
QR code. For example, the user may be directed to a web page of the
manufacturer or of a merchant selling the product, where the user
can obtain more details about the product. The display may also
show a more detailed description of the product, which may include
one or more pictures of the product.
[0020] Next, various actions can be performed based on the captured
QR code, starting with whether the user wants to store information
about the product associated with the captured QR code at step 208.
If so, the product information is stored in the device at step 210,
which the user may later access, along with any other stored
information about other products or about the same product but from
a different store/purchase channel for possible comparison
shopping. A determination is also made, at step 212, whether to
send a message (such as SMS), a link to the product, or other
information about the product from the captured QR code to someone
else. If so, the user selects the desired transmission and enters
the requested information at step 214. For example, if the user
wants to send a link and/or message, the user may enter the
recipient's email address, and if the user wants to send a text
message, the user enters the phone number of the recipient's
device. The selected data is then sent to the recipient at step
216. Note that steps 208-216, and other subsequent steps can be
performed in any order and are not limited to the sequence
shown.
[0021] Next, at step 218, a determination can be made whether the
uses wishes to purchase the product associated with the captured QR
code. This can be done by the user simply selecting a "buy" button
or link associated with the product. After deciding whether to
purchase the product, a determination can be made, at step 220,
whether to purchase additional products stored on the user's
device, such as products associated with previously captured QR
codes. If more products are to be purchased, the user selects the
desired product(s) at step 222. The previously stored products may
be accessed by date captured, type, price, etc., where the user
selects the products by clicking on a box, clicking on a buy button
associated with the product, etc.
[0022] Once the desired product(s) for purchase have been selected,
data is sent from the user's device, such as to a payment provider
like PayPal, Inc. of San Jose, Calif., and processed at step 224.
Examples of types of data include an account number of the
recipient with the payment provider, although in other embodiments,
the account number can be with a bank or other financial
institution, payment amount for each selected product, and funding
information of the user, such as an account number, user name,
password, phone number associated with the user/account, etc.
Processing may be debiting the appropriate funds from the user's
designated account and crediting the appropriate funds to the
recipient's or merchant's designated account(s). The user and/or
the merchant may then be notified, at step 226, that payment has
been made and received, such as with an email, text, on-screen
confirmation, or voice message. Delivery of the purchased
product(s) can then be made by the merchant to the consumer. Note
that the delivery can be made at a physical POS or by shipping and
could also be a digital download item like software or digital
media such as video or music files. For example, if the user scans
a QR code of a product, where the product is immediately available,
such as at a retail store, the user may take delivery of the
product at the POS as soon as payment is made, such as with the
process described above.
[0023] FIG. 3 is a flowchart 300 showing a method according to
another embodiment, where the user does not have an account with
the payment provider used to make the payment. At step 302, the
user scans or captures a QR code or other unique product code,
using a suitable device, such as a smart phone with a
camera/scanner. Information about the product or service contained
in the QR code is decoded, and the user is re-directed to a third
party site, such as a merchant site, at step 304. For example,
after capturing the QR code, the user's device displays a merchant
web site offering the product from the QR code. Once on the site,
the user may decide whether to purchase the product, such as with a
"buy" button or link, at step 306. If the user decides not to make
the purchase, the user may perform additional actions in step 308,
such as sending a link to the product to another, saving the link
for possible later use, etc.
[0024] However, if the user decides to purchase the product at step
306, a determination is made at step 310 whether the user has a
pre-approved agreement with the site. This agreement may include an
agreement with a payment provider processing a transaction between
the user and the owner of the site, limits on transaction amount,
etc. If there is such an agreement with the merchant, the user
makes the purchase at step 322, such as following a procedure for
making a payment based on the agreement. This may include simply
selecting a "pay" or "purchase" button and may include some sort of
authentication of the device and/or user. Confirmation of the
payment may then be made to the user and/or merchant, followed by
transfer of the purchased product from the merchant to the
user.
[0025] If there is no payment agreement with the merchant, a
determination is first made at step 312 whether the user has an
account with a payment provider, such as PayPal, Inc. of San Jose,
Calif. If so, the user proceeds with a payment flow at step 318. In
one example, the user enters requested information on the payment
provider site, which may include an account/user identifier, such
as a password, PIN, email address, and/or phone number, funding
source, and/or amount. Once the payment flow is completed on the
payment provider site, the user is re-directed back to the merchant
site at step 320. In embodiments, where the payment flow is on the
merchant site, this step may be omitted. The purchase is then made
at step 322.
[0026] If, as determined at step 312, the user does not have an
account with a payment provider, the payment provider creates an
account flow, at step 314, that the user can follow. For example, a
mobile app may be loaded and accessed that prompts the user for
various information to enter from the device in order to create the
account. After the account is created, the user may fund the
account at step 316, such as by designating or specifying a bank
account or a credit card account as a funding source and specifying
an amount to be transferred from the funding account. The payment
process continues at steps 318, 320, and 322, as discussed
above.
[0027] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a networked system 400
configured to handle a purchase transaction, such as described
above, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. System
400 includes a user or consumer device 410, a merchant server 440,
and a payment service provider server 470 in communication over a
network 460. Payment service provider server 470 may be maintained
by a payment provider, such as PayPal, Inc. of San Jose, Calif.
[0028] User device 410, merchant server 440, and payment service
provider server 470 may each include one or more processors,
memories, and other appropriate components for executing
instructions such as program code and/or data stored on one or more
computer readable mediums to implement the various applications,
data, and steps described herein. For example, such instructions
may be stored in one or more computer readable media such as
memories or data storage devices internal and/or external to
various components of system 400, and/or accessible over network
460.
[0029] Network 460 may be implemented as a single network or a
combination of multiple networks. For example, in various
embodiments, network 460 may include the Internet or one or more
intranets, landline networks, wireless networks, and/or other
appropriate types of networks.
[0030] User device 410 may be implemented using any appropriate
combination of hardware and/or software configured for wired and/or
wireless communication over network 460. For example, in one
embodiment, user device 410 may be implemented as a personal
computer, equipped with or capable of receiving data from a scanner
and/or camera, of a user 405 in communication with the Internet. In
other embodiments, user device 410 may be implemented as a wireless
telephone, personal digital assistant (PDA), notebook computer,
and/or other types of computing devices equipped with or capable of
receiving data from a scanner and/or camera.
[0031] As shown, user device 410 may include one or more browser
applications 415 which may be used, for example, to provide a
convenient interface to permit user 405 to browse information
available over network 460. For example, in one embodiment, browser
application 415 may be implemented as a web browser configured to
view information available over the Internet, such as when directed
to a URL site from a captured QR code. User device 410 may also
include one or more toolbar applications 420 which may be used, for
example, to provide client-side processing for performing desired
tasks in response to operations selected by user 405. In one
embodiment, toolbar application 420 may display a user interface in
connection with browser application 415 as further described
herein.
[0032] In addition, user device 410 may include an image processing
application 422 that receives an image captured from a scanner or
camera on user device 410 and processes the image to decode data
found on the image. As discussed above, the image may be of a QR
code 424 or other unique product code containing data sufficient to
purchase the product associated with the code. Image processing
application 422 may contain software for decoding the code. Code
424 may be displayed on a page, product, product container, product
package, web site, or any other form that allows user 405 to scan
or photograph code 424 using user device 410.
[0033] User device 410 may further include other applications 425
as may be desired in particular embodiments to provide desired
features to user device 410. For example, such other applications
425 may include security applications for implementing client-side
security features, programmatic client applications for interfacing
with appropriate application programming interfaces (APIs) over
network 460, or other types of applications. Applications 425 may
also include email and texting applications that allow user 405 to
send and receive emails and texts through network 460. User device
410 includes one or more user identifiers 430 which may be
implemented, for example, as operating system registry entries,
cookies associated with browser application 415, identifiers
associated with hardware of user device 410, or other appropriate
identifiers, such as used for payment/user/device authentication.
In one embodiment, user identifier 430 may be used by a payment
service provider to associate user 405 with a particular account
maintained by the payment service provider as further described
herein.
[0034] Merchant server 440 may be maintained, for example, by an
on-line merchant offering various products and/or services, such as
associated with a captured QR code, in exchange for payment to be
received over network 460. In this regard, merchant server 440
includes a database 445 identifying available products and/or
services (e.g., collectively referred to as items) which may be
made available for viewing and purchase by user 405, such as when
redirected to the site from a captured QR code. Accordingly,
merchant server 440 also includes a marketplace application 450
which may be configured to serve information over network 460 to
browser 415 of user device 410. In one embodiment, user 405 may
interact with marketplace application 450 through browser
applications over network 460 in order to view various products or
services identified in database 445, using data from a captured
product code.
[0035] Merchant server 440 also includes a checkout application 455
which may be configured to facilitate the purchase by user 405 of
goods or services identified by marketplace application 450.
Checkout application 455 may be configured to accept payment
information from user 405 and/or from payment service provider
server 470 over network 460.
[0036] Payment service provider server 470 may be maintained, for
example, by an online payment service provider which may provide
payment on behalf of user 405 to the operator of merchant server
440. In this regard, payment service provider server 470 includes
one or more payment applications 475 which may be configured to
interact with user device 410 and/or merchant server 440 over
network 460 to facilitate the purchase of goods or services by user
405 of user device 410 from merchant server 440. In one embodiment,
payment service provider server 470 may be provided by PayPal,
Inc.
[0037] Payment service provider server 470 also maintains a
plurality of user accounts 480, each of which may include account
information 485 associated with individual users. For example,
account information 485 may include private financial information
of users of devices such as account numbers, passwords, phone
numbers, credit card information, bank information, or other
financial information which may be used to facilitate online
transactions by user 405. Advantageously, payment application 475
may be configured to interact with merchant server 440 on behalf of
user 405 during a transaction with checkout application 455 to
track and manage purchases made by users.
[0038] Payment application 475 may include a mobile payment
processing application 490 which may be configured to receive
information from a mobile user device and/or merchant server 440
for storage in a payment database 495. Payment application 475 may
be further configured to match data received from a mobile device
with information stored in payment database 495 for payment
authentication and processing. As discussed this data may include
the user's device phone number, email, password, and/or PIN.
[0039] Payment service provider server 470 may further include a
first-time user payment application 496 which may be configured to
generate and process a request for payment received from a user
device of a user who does not have an account with the payment
provider. In one embodiment, first-time user payment application
496 may be configured to perform the steps described above for
making payment to a merchant from a first-time user.
[0040] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a computer system 500 suitable
for implementing one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.
In various implementations, the user device may comprise a personal
computing device (e.g., a personal computer, laptop, cell phone,
PDA, etc.) capable of communicating with the network. The merchant
and/or payment provider may utilize a network computing device
(e.g., a network server) capable of communicating with the network.
It should be appreciated that each of the devices utilized by
users, merchants, and payment providers may be implemented as
computer system 500 in a manner as follows.
[0041] Computer system 500 includes a bus 502 or other
communication mechanism for communicating information data,
signals, and information between various components of computer
system 500. Components include an input component 504 that
processes a user action, such as selecting keys from a
keypad/keyboard, selecting one or more buttons or links, etc., and
sends a corresponding signal to bus 502. A transceiver 506
transmits and receives signals between computer system 500 and
other devices, such as a merchant server, payment provider server,
or another user device. In one embodiment, the transmission is
wireless, although other transmission mediums and methods may also
be suitable. An image capture mechanism 508, such as a scanner or
camera, captures an image, such as a QR code. A processor 512,
which can be a micro-controller, digital signal processor (DSP), or
other processing component, processes these various signals, such
as for display on computer system 500 or transmission to other
devices via a communication link 518. The captured image from
mechanism 508 may be processed within mechanism 508 or by processor
512.
[0042] Components of computer system 500 also include a system
memory component 514 (e.g., RAM) and a static storage component 516
(e.g., ROM). Computer system 500 performs specific operations by
processor 512 and other components by executing one or more
sequences of instructions contained in system memory component 514.
Logic may be encoded in a computer readable medium, which may refer
to any medium that participates in providing instructions to
processor 512 for execution. Such a medium may take many forms,
including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media,
and transmission media. In various implementations, non-volatile
media includes optical or magnetic disks, volatile media includes
dynamic memory, such as system memory component 514, and
transmission media includes coaxial cables, copper wire, and fiber
optics, including wires that comprise bus 502. In one example,
transmission media may take the form of acoustic or light waves,
such as those generated during radio wave, optical, and infrared
data communications.
[0043] Some common forms of computer readable media includes, for
example, floppy disk, flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any
other magnetic medium, CD-ROM, any other optical medium, punch
cards, paper tape, any other physical medium with patterns of
holes, RAM, PROM, EPROM, FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or
cartridge, carrier wave, or any other medium from which a computer
is adapted to read.
[0044] In various embodiments of the present disclosure, execution
of instruction sequences to practice the present disclosure may be
performed by computer system 500. In various other embodiments of
the present disclosure, a plurality of computer systems 500 coupled
by communication link 518 to the network (e.g., such as a LAN,
WLAN, PTSN, and/or various other wired or wireless networks,
including telecommunications, mobile, and cellular phone networks)
may perform instruction sequences to practice the present
disclosure in coordination with one another.
[0045] Where applicable, various embodiments provided by the
present disclosure may be implemented using hardware, software, or
combinations of hardware and software. Also, where applicable, the
various hardware components and/or software components set forth
herein may be combined into composite components comprising
software, hardware, and/or both without departing from the spirit
of the present disclosure. Where applicable, the various hardware
components and/or software components set forth herein may be
separated into sub-components comprising software, hardware, or
both without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In
addition, where applicable, it is contemplated that software
components may be implemented as hardware components and
vice-versa.
[0046] Software, in accordance with the present disclosure, such as
program code and/or data, may be stored on one or more computer
readable mediums. It is also contemplated that software identified
herein may be implemented using one or more general purpose or
specific purpose computers and/or computer systems, networked
and/or otherwise. Where applicable, the ordering of various steps
described herein may be changed, combined into composite steps,
and/or separated into sub-steps to provide features described
herein.
[0047] The foregoing disclosure is not intended to limit the
present disclosure to the precise forms or particular fields of use
disclosed. As such, it is contemplated that various alternate
embodiments and/or modifications to the present disclosure, whether
explicitly described or implied herein, are possible in light of
the disclosure. Having thus described embodiments of the present
disclosure, persons of ordinary skill in the art will recognize
that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from
the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure
is limited only by the claims.
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