U.S. patent application number 13/452766 was filed with the patent office on 2012-10-25 for method and apparatus for connecting devices.
This patent application is currently assigned to SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS Co., LTD.. Invention is credited to Kwang-Min Kim, Min-Soo Koo, Jong-Chang Lee, Moon-Sang Lee, Ji-In Nam, Won-Joo Park, Young-Hee Park, Hyun-Sik Shim, Seung-Hyun Yoon.
Application Number | 20120271901 13/452766 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46084765 |
Filed Date | 2012-10-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120271901 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim; Kwang-Min ; et
al. |
October 25, 2012 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONNECTING DEVICES
Abstract
A system and method for connecting devices includes receiving
from a first device a request to follow a second device, and
setting a following relationship between the first device and the
second device in response to the request.
Inventors: |
Kim; Kwang-Min;
(Seongnam-si, KR) ; Lee; Jong-Chang; (Suwon-si,
KR) ; Park; Won-Joo; (Suwon-si, KR) ; Shim;
Hyun-Sik; (Yongin-si, KR) ; Park; Young-Hee;
(Seoul, KR) ; Lee; Moon-Sang; (Yongin-si, KR)
; Koo; Min-Soo; (Seoul, KR) ; Yoon;
Seung-Hyun; (Anyang-si, KR) ; Nam; Ji-In;
(Seoul, KR) |
Assignee: |
SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS Co.,
LTD.
Suwon-si
KR
|
Family ID: |
46084765 |
Appl. No.: |
13/452766 |
Filed: |
April 20, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
709/208 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 67/24 20130101;
H04L 12/2825 20130101; H04L 67/025 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
709/208 |
International
Class: |
G06F 15/16 20060101
G06F015/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 21, 2011 |
KR |
10-2011-0037351 |
Claims
1. A method of connecting devices, the method comprising: receiving
from a first device a request to follow a second device; and
setting a following relationship between the first device and the
second device in response to the request.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving information
related to the second device from the second device; and
transmitting the received information related to the second device
to the first device.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving the
information related to the second device from the second device;
processing the received information related to the second device;
and transmitting the processed information to the first device.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the processing of the information
related to the second device comprises processing the received
information related to the second device based on the received
information related to the second device and external information
transmitted from a third device.
5. The method of claim 3, wherein the processing of the information
related to the second device comprises processing the received
information related to the second device based on the received
information related to the second device and previously stored
information related to the second device.
6. The method of claim 3, wherein the processing of the information
related to the second device comprises: receiving information
related to the first device from the first device; and processing
the received information related to the second device based on the
received information related to the second device and the received
information related to the first device.
7. The method of claim 2, wherein the information received related
to the second device is formed as a structured message in a machine
readable language.
8. The method of claim 3, wherein the processed information is
formed as a structured message in a machine readable language.
9. The method of claim 7, wherein the structured message is formed
in one of javascript object notation (JSON), eXtensible markup
language (XML), resource description framework (RDF), or Web
ontology language (OWL).
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the setting of the following
relationship between the first device and the second device in
response to the request comprises: transmitting the request to the
second device; receiving an approval response to the request from
the second device; and setting the following relationship between
the first device and the second device when the approval response
is received.
11. An apparatus for connecting devices, the apparatus comprising:
a communication unit configured to receive from a first device a
request to follow a second device; and a control unit configured to
set a following relationship between the first device and the
second device in response to the request.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the communication unit is
configured to receive information related to the second device from
the second device, and transmit the information related to the
second device to the first device.
13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the communication unit is
configured to receive the information related to the second device
from the second device, and the control unit is configured to
process the received information related to the second device and
transmits the processed information to the first device via the
communication unit.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the control unit is
configured to process the received information related to the
second device based on the received information related to the
second device and external information transmitted from a third
device.
15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the control unit is
configured to process the received information related to the
second device based on the received information related to the
second device and previously stored information related to the
second device.
16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the communication unit is
configured to receive information related to the first device from
the first device, and the control unit is configured to process the
received information related to the second device based on the
received information related to the second device and the received
information related to the first device.
17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the received information
related to the second device is formed as a structured message in a
machine readable language.
18. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the processed information is
formed as a structured message in a machine readable language.
19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the structured message is
formed in one of javascript object notation (JSON), eXtensible
markup language (XML), resource description framework (RDF), or Web
ontology language (OWL).
20. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the communication unit is
configured to transmit the request to the second device and
receives an approval response to the request from the second
device, and the control unit is configured to set the following
relationship between the first device and the second device when
the approval response is received.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) AND CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] The present application is related to and claims the benefit
of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2011-0037351, filed on Apr. 21,
2011, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of
which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for
connecting devices, and more particularly, to a method and
apparatus for connecting devices for setting a following
relationship between the devices, and receiving a message about an
event occurring in a followee device and transmitting the message
to a follower device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Connections and data exchanges between devices are performed
to copy or reproduce contents such as images, video, audio, and
documents. For connecting devices, a device corresponding to a
source and a device corresponding to a destination are to be
predetermined in order to transfer data or messages
there-between.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] To address the above-discussed deficiencies of the prior
art, it is a primary object to provide a method and apparatus for
connecting devices, in which a following relationship is set
between the devices, for receiving a message about an event
occurring in a followee device and transmitting the message to a
follower device after determining characteristics or states of the
followee device or characteristics and states of a user.
[0005] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a method of connecting devices, the method comprising:
receiving from a first device a request to follow a second device;
and setting a following relationship between the first device and
the second device in response to the request.
[0006] The method of connecting devices can further comprise
receiving information related to the second device from the second
device; and transmitting the received information related to the
second device to the first device.
[0007] The method of connecting devices can further comprise
receiving the information related to the second device from the
second device; processing the received information related to the
second device; and transmitting the processed information to the
first device.
[0008] The processing of the information related to the second
device can comprise processing the received information related to
the second device based on the received information related to the
second device and external information transmitted from a third
device.
[0009] The processing of the information related to the second
device can comprise processing the received information related to
the second device based on the received information related to the
second device and previously stored information related to the
second device.
[0010] The processing of the information related to the second
device can comprise receiving information related to the first
device from the first device; and processing the received
information related to the second device based on the received
information related to the second device and the received
information related to the first device.
[0011] The information received related to the second device can be
formed as a structured message in a machine readable language.
[0012] The processed information can be formed as a structured
message in a machine readable language.
[0013] The structured message can be formed in one of
Javascript.RTM. object notation (JSON), eXtensible markup language
(XML), resource description framework (RDF), or Web ontology
language (OWL).
[0014] The setting of the following relationship between the first
device and the second device in response to the request can
comprise transmitting the request to the second device; receiving
an approval response to the request from the second device; and
setting the following relationship between the first device and the
second device when the approval response is received.
[0015] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided an apparatus for connecting devices, the apparatus
comprising: a communication unit that receives from a first device
a request to follow a second device; and a control unit that sets a
following relationship between the first device and the second
device in response to the request.
[0016] Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
below, it may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain
words and phrases used throughout this patent document: the terms
"include" and "comprise," as well as derivatives thereof, mean
inclusion without limitation; the term "or," is inclusive, meaning
and/or; the phrases "associated with" and "associated therewith,"
as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included
within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to
or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with,
interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have,
have a property of, or the like; and the term "controller" means
any device, system or part thereof that controls at least one
operation, such a device may be implemented in hardware, firmware
or software, or some combination of at least two of the same. It
should be noted that the functionality associated with any
particular controller may be centralized or distributed, whether
locally or remotely. Definitions for certain words and phrases are
provided throughout this patent document, those of ordinary skill
in the art should understand that in many, if not most instances,
such definitions apply to prior, as well as future uses of such
defined words and phrases.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure
and its advantages, reference is now made to the following
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in
which like reference numerals represent like parts:
[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates a method of connecting devices according
to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates a method of connecting devices after a
following relationship between the devices is set according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIGS. 3 through 5 illustrate examples of a method of
connecting devices according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0021] FIG. 6 illustrates a method of connecting devices according
to another embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 7 illustrates a method of connecting devices, according
to another embodiment of the present invention; and
[0023] FIG. 8 illustrates an apparatus for connecting devices,
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] FIGS. 1 through 8, discussed below, and the various
embodiments used to describe the principles of the present
disclosure in this patent document are by way of illustration only
and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the
disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the
principles of the present disclosure may be implemented in any
suitably arranged wireless communication system. Embodiments of the
present invention will be described with reference to accompanying
drawings.
[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates a method of connecting devices according
to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 1, in operation S110, an apparatus
connecting devices receives, from a first device, a request to
follow a second device. That is, the first device is a follower,
and the second device is a followee. In the present embodiment,
following means following between devices, not between users.
[0027] In operation S120, the apparatus connecting devices sets the
following relationship between the first device, that is, the
follower, and the second device, that is, the followee, in response
to the request. When the following relationship is set, the
apparatus connecting devices receives predetermined information
from the second device, that is, the followee, and transmits the
received information or information obtained by processing the
received information to the first device, that is, the follower.
The second device, that is, the followee, does not need to receive
information about the first device. That is, even when the
apparatus connecting devices receives predetermined information
from the first device, it does not transmit the information to the
second device. After setting the following relationship, the
apparatus connecting devices manages the following
relationship.
[0028] The apparatus connecting devices can set the following
relationship between the first device and the second device by
itself without requesting the second device to approve the
following. Otherwise, the apparatus connecting devices can set the
following relationship between the first and second devices, when
the apparatus connecting devices transmits the request to the
second device and receives an approval response from the second
device.
[0029] FIG. 2 illustrates a method of connecting devices after a
following relationship is set according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 2, in operation S210, the apparatus
connecting devices receives information about the second device
from the second device, that is, the followee. The second device
collects state information in the second device, or event
information or a log that occurred due to an operation of the
device or external information. The information related to the
second device refers to event information collectable by the second
device, for example, device specification information, device state
information, device sensing information, device operation
information, user event information, user information in the
device, or device usage information. The device specification
information is information such as a device identification (ID), a
device type, a device name, or a device production date, that is,
the information determined when fabricating or selling the device.
The device state information is information obtained from a device
system, for example, setting information of the device, a central
processing unit (CPU) usage amount, or a CPU usage time. The device
sensing information is information obtained from a sensor formed in
the device, for example, location information such as global
positioning system (GPS) coordinates or an external temperature.
The device operation information is information representing a
current operation of the device. The user event information is
information representing that the device reaches a certain
operation or state of the device designated by the user. The user
information in the device is user information such as a user ID or
a personal information management system (PIMS). The device usage
information is history information representing the usage of a
certain function by the user. However, the above information is
merely exemplary, and the present invention is not limited thereto.
After that, the second device generates a transmittable message by
using the collected event information. More particularly, the
second device converts a format of the collected event information
to structured machine readable language that is comprehensible to
the device. In the present specification, a structured message
comprehensible to the device is referred to as a device message. In
the present embodiment, the structured message type that is
comprehensible by the device is one of JavaScript.RTM. Object
Notation (JSON), eXtensible MarkUp Language (XML), Resource
Description Framework (RDF), or Web Ontology Language (OWL).
Thereafter, the second device transmits the generated message to
the apparatus connecting devices.
[0031] In operation S220, the apparatus connecting devices
processes the information related to the second device. In advance,
the apparatus connecting devices has analyzed the received message,
has stored the information related to the second device, and has
managed the messages after searching for the messages in the
information related to the second device or generating statistical
information. Thereafter, when the apparatus connecting devices
receives the information related to the second device, the
apparatus connecting devices combines the previous information
related to the second device, which is stored and managed by the
apparatus connecting devices, and the newly received information
related to the second device to process the combined information as
the information to be transmitted to the first device. In addition,
as another example, the apparatus connecting devices can receive
external information from an external third device (third party),
and then, combines the received information and the information
related to the second device to process the combined information as
the information to be transmitted to the first device. As another
example, the apparatus connecting devices can receive the
information related to the first device from the first device, and
then, can combine the received information and the information
related to the second device to process the combined information as
the information to be transmitted to the first device.
[0032] In operation S230, the apparatus connecting devices converts
the processed information to a structured machine readable
language, and transmits the information to the first device. As
another example, the apparatus connecting devices can transmit the
message transmitted from the second device to the first device
without processing the message.
[0033] FIGS. 3 through 5 illustrate examples of a method of
connecting devices according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0034] Referring to FIG. 3, a mobile device 310 that is a first
device and a follower transmits a request to follow at least one of
electronic devices 331, 332, and 333 in a house 330, which is a
second device, to a server 320 that is an apparatus connecting
devices. Thereafter, the server 320 sets a following relationship
between the mobile device 310 and the at least one of the
electronic devices 331, 332, and 333. The at least one of
electronic devices 331, 332, and 333, that is, the followee,
generates a device message that is a structured message to be
comprehensible to the device, when an event occurs. For example, an
event, that is, opening of a door of the refrigerator 333 that is
the followee, occurs, the refrigerator 333 generates the device
message of the event, and transmits the device message to the
server 320. Otherwise, the electronic device 331, 332, or 333 can
generate the device message about event information related to a
power consumption state of the electronic device 331, 332, or 333
such as smart metering, and transmit the device message to the
server 320. The server 320 analyses the transmitted device message
in order to process and transmit the device message to the mobile
device 310, or transmits the transmitted device message to the
mobile device 310. In this case, a personal mobile phone or a
manufacturer terminal can be registered as a follower of the
electronic devices in the house so as to monitor or remotely
diagnose the states of the electronic devices, or to sense consumed
power, thereby managing power consumption of the electronic
devices.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 4, a mobile device 410 that is a first
device and a follower transmits a request to follow at least one of
electronic devices 431, 432, and 433 in a house 430, which is a
second device, to a server 420 that is an apparatus connecting
devices. Thereafter, the server 420 sets a following relationship
between the mobile device 410 and the at least one of the
electronic devices 431, 432, and 433. The at least one of
electronic devices 431, 432, and 433, that is, the followee,
generates a device message that is a structured message to be
comprehensible to the device and transmits the device message to
the server 420, when an event occurs. In addition, the server 420
receives external data from an external server 440, for example, a
third party. For example, the server 420 can receive weather data
from a server of a meteorological service provider. Thereafter, the
server 420 generates a context-based message based on the device
message and the external data. For example, when the server 420
receives a device message notifying about completion of a washing
operation from a washing machine 432 and receives data about
weather (for example, clear) from the external server 440, that is,
the server of meteorological service provider, the server 420 can
process the device message as a context message notifying that the
laundry washing is complete and can be dried outdoors because the
weather is clear. Thereafter, the server 420 transmits the
processed context message to the mobile device 410. The server 420
analyses the device message information generated in the electronic
devices and information of an accessible website or other devices,
and generates the context-based message and provides a user with
the context-based message that is specified for the user or demands
the user to act.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 5, a mobile device 510 that is a first
device and a follower transmits a request to follow a vehicle 530
that is a second device, to a server 520 that is an apparatus
connecting devices. Thereafter, the server 520 sets a following
relationship between the mobile device 510 and the vehicle 530. The
vehicle 530, that is, the followee, generates a device message that
is structured message to be comprehensible to the device, about an
event and transmits the device message to the server 520, when the
event occurs. For example, the vehicle 530 can generate a device
message related to its current location and transmit the device
message to the server 520. The mobile device 510 can generate a
device message related to its current location, and transmit the
device message to the server 520. The server 520 performs a
determination operation based on the device messages related to the
locations according to predetermined criteria, and transmits a
message related to the location of the vehicle 530 that is the
followee to the mobile device 510. For example, the server 520 can
analyze the device messages to analyze a distance between the
mobile device 510 and the vehicle 530, and transmit the device
message related to the location of the vehicle 530 to the mobile
device 510 when the mobile device 510 and the vehicle 530 are
located within a predetermined range.
[0037] FIG. 6 illustrates a method of connecting devices according
to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG.
6, a device A 610 transmits a request to follow itself to an
apparatus connecting devices 620. In this case, the device A 610
can have both standings of a follower and a followee at the same
time. The device A 610 generates a device message and transmits the
device message to the apparatus connecting devices 620, and the
apparatus connecting devices 620 processes the device message
transmitted from the device A 610 or generates a new device message
based on the received device message to transmit the device message
to the device A 610.
[0038] FIG. 7 illustrates a method of connecting devices according
to another embodiment of the present invention.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 7, a large-capacity apparatus connecting
devices 710 continuously receives device messages from devices,
analyses the device messages, and stores the device messages in a
large-capacity database. In this case, the large-capacity apparatus
connecting devices 710 can provide device environments and services
specified for various users from the large-capacity database based
on the device messages that are analyzed and stored in the
large-capacity database, and can extend to a circumstance
recognition service. In addition, the large-capacity apparatus
connecting devices 710 can provide a basic statistical reference
such as characteristics of users and types of devices in use based
on the large amount of device messages that are analyzed and stored
in the large-capacity database, and further, can allow
user-specified or subject-specified modeling for developing new
businesses. In this case, the large-capacity apparatus connecting
devices 710 analyses the large-capacity database and then transmits
information to a third party 720.
[0040] FIG. 8 illustrates an apparatus connecting devices according
to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0041] Referring to FIG. 8, a follower device 810 includes a
communication unit 812 and a control unit 814. A server 820 that is
the apparatus connecting devices includes a communication unit 822,
a control unit 824, and a storage unit 826, and a followee device
830 includes a communication unit 832, a control unit 834, and a
storage unit 836.
[0042] The control unit 814 of the follower device 810 transmits a
request to follow the followee device 830 to the server 820 via the
communication unit 812. In the present embodiment, the following
relationship is set between the devices, not between users.
[0043] The control unit 824 of the server 820 sets a following
relationship between the follower device 810 and the followee
device 830 in response to the request. When the following
relationship is set, the server 820 receives predetermined
information from the followee device 830 and transmits the received
information or information obtained by processing the received
information to the follower device 810. The followee device 830
does not need to receive the information related to the follower
device 810. That is, even when the server 820 receives the
information from the follower device 810, the server 820 does not
transmit the received information to the followee device 830. After
the setting of the following relationship, the server 820 manages
the following relationship.
[0044] The control unit 824 of the server 820 can set the following
relationship between the follower device 810 and the followee
device 830 by itself without transmitting a request to approve the
request to follow to the followee device 830. Otherwise, the
control unit 824 of the server 820 transmits the request to the
followee device 830 via the communication unit 826, and then, the
control unit 824 of the server 820 can set the following
relationship between the follower device 810 and the followee
device 830 on receiving an approval response to the request from
the followee device 830.
[0045] The communication unit 822 of the server 820 receives
information related to the followee device 830 from the followee
device 830. The followee device 830 collects state information in
the followee device 830, or event information or a log generated
due to operations of the followee device 830 or external
information. The information related to the followee device 830 is
the event information that can be collected by the followee device
830, and can include device specification information, device state
information, device sensing information, device operation
information, user event information, user information in the
device, or device usage information. The device specification
information is information such as a device ID, a device type, a
device name, or a device production date, that is, the information
determined when fabricating or selling the device. The device state
information is information obtained from a device system, for
example, setting information of the device, a CPU usage amount, or
a CPU usage time. The device sensing information is information
obtained from a sensor formed in the device, for example, location
information such as GPS coordinates or an external temperature. The
device operation information is information representing a current
operation of the device. The user event information is information
representing that the device reaches a certain operation or state
of the device designated by the user. The user information in the
device is user information such as a user ID or a PIMS. The device
usage information is history information representing the usage of
a certain function by the user. However, the above information is
merely exemplary, and the present invention is not limited thereto.
The control unit 834 of the followee device 830 stores the
information in the storage unit 836 to manage the information.
[0046] The control unit 834 of the followee device 830 generates a
message that is transmittable by using the collected event
information. More particularly, the control unit 834 of the
followee device 830 converts the collected event information into a
structured machine readable language format that is comprehensible
to the device. In the present embodiment, a structured message type
that is comprehensible to the device is one of JavaScript.RTM.
Object Notation (JSON), eXtensible Markup Language (XML), Resource
Description Framework (RDF), or Web Ontology Language (OWL).
Thereafter, the communication unit 832 of the followee device 830
transmits the generated message to the server 820.
[0047] The control unit 824 of the server 820 processes the
information related to the following device 830 transmitted from
the followee device 830. The control unit 824 of the server 820 has
analyzed the received message, has stored the information related
to the followee device 830 in the storage unit 826, and has
generated statistical information by using the information related
to the followee device 830 and has managed the information. After
that, when the communication unit 822 of the server 820 receives
the information related to the followee device 830, the control
unit 824 of the server 820 combines the previous information
related to the followee device 830 which is stored and managed in
the storage unit 826 and the newly received information related to
the followee device 830 to process the combined information as the
information to be transmitted to the follower device 810.
Otherwise, as another example, the communication unit 822 of the
server 820 can receive external information from a third device
(third party), and the control unit 824 of the server 820 can
combine the external information with the information related to
the followee device 830 to process the combined information as the
information to be transmitted to the follower device 810. As
another example, the communication unit 824 of the server 820 can
receive information related to the follower device 810 from the
follower device 810, and then, can combine the received information
related to the follower device 810 with the information related to
the followee device 830 to process the combined information as the
information to be transmitted to the follower device 810.
[0048] In addition, the server 820 continuously receives the
devices message from the devices, and analyses the received device
messages and stores the device messages in the storage unit 826. In
this case, the server 820 can provide device environments and
services specified for various users based on the device messages
that are analyzed and stored in the storage unit 826, and can
extend to a circumstance recognition service. In addition, the
server 820 can provide a basic statistical reference such as
characteristics of users and types of devices in use based on the
device messages that are analyzed and stored in the storage unit
826, and further, can allow user-specified or subject-specified
modeling for developing new businesses.
[0049] The control unit 824 of the server 820 converts the
processed information into a structured machine readable language
format, and then, transmits the information to the follower device
810 via the communication unit 822 of the server 820. As another
example, the control unit 824 of the server 820 can transmit the
message transmitted from the followee device 830 to the follower
device 810 without processing the message.
[0050] According to another example of the present embodiment, the
follower device 810 transmits a request to follow itself to the
server 820. In this case, the follower device 810 can have both
standings of a follower and a followee at the same time. The
follower device 810 generates a device message and transmits the
device message to the server 820, and the server 820 processes the
device message transmitted from the follower device 810 or
generates a new device message based on the received device message
to transmit the device message to the follower device 810.
[0051] The invention can also be embodied as computer readable
codes on a computer readable recording medium. The computer
readable recording medium is any data storage device that can store
data which can be thereafter read by a computer system. Examples of
the computer readable recording medium include read-only memory
(ROM), random-access memory (RAM), CD-ROMs, magnetic tapes, floppy
disks, optical data storage devices, and carrier waves (such as
data transmission through the Internet). The computer readable
recording medium can also be distributed over network coupled
computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and
executed in a distributed fashion. Also, functional programs,
codes, and code segments for accomplishing the present invention
can be easily construed by programmers of ordinary skill in the art
to which the present invention pertains.
[0052] Although the present disclosure has been described with an
exemplary embodiment, various changes and modifications may be
suggested to one skilled in the art. It is intended that the
present disclosure encompass such changes and modifications as fall
within the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *