U.S. patent application number 13/532387 was filed with the patent office on 2013-12-26 for identification of material composition.
This patent application is currently assigned to INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is Sean M. Ackley, Aaron R. Cox, Jason E. Minyard, Gerard F. Muenkel, Joni E. Saylor. Invention is credited to Sean M. Ackley, Aaron R. Cox, Jason E. Minyard, Gerard F. Muenkel, Joni E. Saylor.
Application Number | 20130344297 13/532387 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49773521 |
Filed Date | 2013-12-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130344297 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ackley; Sean M. ; et
al. |
December 26, 2013 |
Identification of Material Composition
Abstract
Identification of a material composition. The material
composition is configured with a sequential pattern applied to one
or more surfaces of the body. The sequential pattern identifies the
specific material composition. A discrete section or sub-section of
the material is analyzed, after which the discrete section or
sub-section may be sorted for recycling.
Inventors: |
Ackley; Sean M.; (Raleigh,
NC) ; Cox; Aaron R.; (Tucson, AZ) ; Minyard;
Jason E.; (Phoenix, AZ) ; Muenkel; Gerard F.;
(Raleigh, NC) ; Saylor; Joni E.; (Tucson,
AZ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ackley; Sean M.
Cox; Aaron R.
Minyard; Jason E.
Muenkel; Gerard F.
Saylor; Joni E. |
Raleigh
Tucson
Phoenix
Raleigh
Tucson |
NC
AZ
AZ
NC
AZ |
US
US
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES
CORPORATION
Armonk
NY
|
Family ID: |
49773521 |
Appl. No.: |
13/532387 |
Filed: |
June 25, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
428/195.1 ;
356/402 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 428/24802 20150115;
B07C 5/34 20130101; B07C 5/3412 20130101; G01J 3/46 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
428/195.1 ;
356/402 |
International
Class: |
G01J 3/46 20060101
G01J003/46; B32B 3/26 20060101 B32B003/26 |
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. (canceled)
3. (canceled)
4. (canceled)
5. (canceled)
6. (canceled)
7. (canceled)
8. A system comprising: a platform to carry a body having a
material composition with a surface and a pattern sequence
repetitively applied across substantially the entire surface of the
material, a fragment of the pattern sequence to identify a
composition of the material responsive to the pattern sequence; a
scanning module in communication with the platform to receive a
portion of the body and scan the pattern sequence fragment; and an
identification module in communication with the scanning module to
analyze the scanned pattern and identify the composition of the
material based on the analysis result.
9. The system of claim 8, further comprising a sorting module in
communication with the identification module to sort the body based
on the identified composition.
10. The system of claim 8, further comprising the pattern sequence
having a color identifier to aid in the detection of the material
composition of the body.
11. The system of claim 8, wherein the pattern sequence has a
tactile application wherein the tactile application is applied to a
pattern position selected from the group consisting of: raised and
embedded.
12. The system of claim 8, wherein the analyzed pattern sequence on
the surface of the body is randomly selected.
13. A body with an identified composition prepared by a process
comprising the steps of: applying a pattern sequence repetitively
across substantially the entire surface of a material; selecting a
fragment of the material, wherein the fragment is a subset of the
material containing a fragment of the surface of the material;
analyzing the pattern sequence of the selected fragment; and a
composition of the material identified responsive to the analysis
of the pattern sequence.
14. The body of claim 13, further comprising the material sorted
responsive to the identified composition.
15. The body of claim 13, wherein analyzing the pattern sequence of
the selected fragment includes utilizing an optical wavelength in a
visible range.
16. The body of claim 13, further comprising analyzing the pattern
sequence with automated instrumentation.
17. The body of claim 13, further comprising the pattern sequence
having a color identifier to aid in the detection of the material
composition of the body.
18. The body of claim 13, wherein the composition is detected
through a tactile application to the pattern sequence wherein the
tactile application is applied to a pattern position selected from
the group consisting of: raised and embedded.
19. The body of claim 13, wherein a fragment of the body is
randomly selected.
20. A computer program product comprising a computer readable
storage medium having computer readable program code embodied
therewith; which when executed causes a computer to implement a
method comprising: for a body having a material composition with a
surface and a pattern sequence repetitively applied across
substantially the entire surface of the material, selecting a
fragment of the body, wherein the fragment is a subset of the body
containing a fragment of the surface; analyzing the pattern
sequence of the selected fragment; and a composition of the
material identified responsive to the analysis of the pattern
sequence.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a method and system for
identifying a composition of a material. More specifically, the
invention relates to a method and system that analyzes a pattern
sequence applied to the material and employs the analyzed pattern
sequence to identify the material composition.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0002] The art of recycling addresses converting used materials
into new products to prevent waste and pollution associated with
product disposal. One aspect of recycling includes identification
of the material to be recycled, as different materials may be
subject to different recycling processes. Recyclable materials
include items such as glass, paper, metal, plastic, textile, etc.,
each of which may be subject to different processes of recycling.
Accordingly, separation of materials based on the material
composition is an aspect of the recycling process.
[0003] A current state of the art engraves a material code into the
product material, with the code identifying the material
composition with an associated number. This code is employed in the
material separation process, and provides efficiency separation in
that material compositions can be identified and sorted based on
the engraved number. Problems in product recycling arise when the
material code is not attached to or otherwise embedded in the
product or product material. Post-consumer materials are often
intentionally or unintentionally disassembled or broken before they
are sorted. Many fragmented pieces of material are left absent the
material code, causing the piece's compositions to be
unidentifiable and thus unrecyclable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] This invention comprises a method, system, product, and
computer program product for identifying the composition of a
material.
[0005] In one aspect, a method is provided to identify a
composition of a material in the form of a body. The method
includes a repetitive pattern sequence applied across a layer of
the body. A fragment of the body is selected for identification of
a composition of the body. Since the pattern sequence is
repetitively applied, the portion of the sequence that is a part of
the fragment is analyzed. A composition of the body is identified
based on the analysis results from the selected fragment.
[0006] In another aspect, a system is provided to identify a
composition of a material in the form of a body. The system is
provided with a platform to carry the body having a material
composition and a pattern sequence repetitively applied on its
surface. The pattern sequence identifies a composition of the
material. A scanning module, which is in communication with the
platform, receives the material body to scan the attached pattern
sequence. An identification module in communication with the
scanning module is further included in the system to analyze the
scan and identify a composition of the material based on the
analysis.
[0007] In a further aspect, a product is provided with a body, and
a process is provided for identifying a composition of the material
that forms the body. A pattern sequence is applied across a
substantial layer of the body. A fragment of the body containing a
subset of the body is selected, and the pattern sequence applied to
the selected fragment is analyzed. The composition of the material
is identified from the pattern sequence analysis.
[0008] In an even further aspect, a computer program product is
provided. The computer program product comprises of a computer
readable storage medium having computer readable program code. The
execution of the computer readable program code causes a section of
a body to be analyzed, the body comprising a material with a
pattern sequence applied across its surface. The computer program
code further identifies the material's composition based on the
analysis of the pattern sequence.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The drawings referenced herein form a part of the
specification. Features shown in the drawings are meant as
illustrative of only some embodiments of the invention, and not of
all embodiments of the invention unless otherwise explicitly
indicated. Implications to the contrary are otherwise not to be
made.
[0010] FIG. 1 depicts a flow chart depicting a process for
identifying a composition of a body based upon a pattern applied to
a layer of the body.
[0011] FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram depicting a material
composition in the form of a body with a pattern across a first
surface of the body.
[0012] FIG. 3 depicts a system employed to identify the composition
of the body.
[0013] FIG. 4 depicts a block diagram illustrating tools embedded
in a system to support automated assessment of the material
composition of a body.
[0014] FIG. 5 depicts a block diagram showing a system for
implementing an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] It will be readily understood that the components of the
present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the
Figures herein, may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of
different configurations. Thus, the following detailed description
of the embodiments of the apparatus, system, and method of the
present invention, as presented in the Figures, is not intended to
limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is merely
representative of selected embodiments of the invention.
[0016] Reference throughout this specification to "a select
embodiment," "one embodiment," or "an embodiment" means that a
particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in
connection with the embodiment is included in at least one
embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the
phrases "a select embodiment," "in one embodiment," or "in an
embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not
necessarily referring to the same embodiment.
[0017] Furthermore, the described features, structures, or
characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or
more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific
details are provided, such as examples of modules, managers, etc.,
to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the
invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however,
that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the
specific details, or with other methods, components, materials,
etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or
operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring
aspects of the invention.
[0018] The illustrated embodiments of the invention will be best
understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are
designated by like numerals throughout. The following description
is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain
selected embodiments of devices, systems, and processes that are
consistent with the invention as claimed herein.
[0019] In the following description of the embodiments, reference
is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and
which shows by way of illustration the specific embodiment in which
the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other
embodiments may be utilized because structural changes may be made
without departing form the scope of the present invention.
[0020] Products comprised of plastic material are commonly recycled
following disposal of the product. Although the description herein
pertains to plastic materials that are eligible for recycling, the
scope of the embodiments may be expanded to include other
categories of recyclable materials. FIG. 1 is a flow chart (100)
illustrating a process for identifying a composition of a body
based upon a pattern applied to a layer of the body. A material
composition is provided in the form of a body having a sequential
pattern applied to a layer of the body (102). In one embodiment,
the application of the pattern takes place during the material
molding process. The sequential pattern is associated with a
specific material composition. Specifically, and as described
below, different categories of material have different sequential
patterns, such that the pattern associates the category of the
material with a composition of the material. For example, triangles
arranged to form a repeating set of hexagons may be associated with
a first category of plastic material that is recycled through a
first recycling process. Triangles arranged to form a repeating set
of pyramids may be associated with a second category of plastic
material that is recycled through a second recycling process,
etc.
[0021] The sequential pattern applied to the material may be
comprised of the same color spectrum as the material, or a
different color. In one embodiment, the pattern sequence has a
color identifier to aid in the detection of the material
composition of the body. The color identifiers may be used to aid
in the distinction of material compositions or may be used to
signify varying compositions having like patterns. For example, a
pattern sequence having blue triangles arranged to form a repeating
set of hexagons may be associated with a first category of plastic
material that is recycled through a first recycling process whereas
a pattern sequence having red triangles arranged to form a
repeating set of hexagons may be associated with a second category
of plastic material that is recycled through a second recycling
process. In another embodiment, the pattern sequence has a tactile
application to aid in the detection of the material composition of
the body. This includes the pattern sequence having risen or
embedded surfaces applied to the body.
[0022] During the recycling process, the body may be broken down
into multiple bodies, such that what was originally an internal
surface of the body and non-visible from the outside, may become
visible. More specifically, the body to be analyzed may be a
secondary body that has been separated or otherwise severed from a
primary body. By applying a repeating pattern on a substantial
surface of the material of the body, the composition of the
secondary body may be identified at a later point in time.
[0023] The sequential pattern may be applied to one surface of the
body, or to more than one surface. For example, where the
sequential pattern applied to the body is on both a first external
surface and a second external surface, the sequential pattern is
separately applied to each of these surfaces of the body, with the
first and second external surfaces being different surfaces or
walls of the body. In one embodiment where the sequential pattern
is applied to two different surfaces, the first and second surfaces
may be oppositely disposed external surfaces of the body or
adjacently mounted surfaces. The pattern applied to a second
surface of the body acts as a back-up for analysis provided the
pattern on the first surface is unidentifiable or not provided on a
primary or secondary body. At the same time, the sequential pattern
applied to an external surface of the original body, may
deteriorate from exposure to the environment. By applying the
sequential pattern to at least two surfaces, the preservation of
the pattern on at least one of the surfaces increases. In one
embodiment, the pattern is applied to one of the internal layers as
well as an external layer of the body such that a breaking down of
the body to cause the external pattern to become unidentifiable can
simultaneously cause the internal layer to become visible for
analysis. Accordingly, applying a sequential pattern to more than
one surface of a body increases the likelihood of successfully
analyzing the pattern sequence applied to the body and identifying
a composition of the body.
[0024] The surface of the body having the applied sequential
pattern is analyzed (104). In one embodiment, the surface of the
body having the pattern is optically exposed, such that analysis of
the surface having the pattern utilizes an optical wavelength in
the visible range. In another embodiment, the section of the body
to be analyzed is randomly selected. The random selection of a
section of the body for analysis is due to the separation of
material fragments in the recycling process. For example, a
secondary body may be the only section of the body present for
analysis at a given time. An analysis is defined to be successful
when the sequential pattern is recognized by the analyzer as a
match with a previously known pattern.
[0025] A composition of the body is identified in response to a
successful pattern analysis (106). Specifically, a recognized
pattern associated with a body is linked to a known composition,
thereby linking the body with the known composition. As with the
analysis (104), the identification (106) may take place with the
naked eye or with a tool. For example, if the applied pattern
sequence is microscopic, a tool may be employed to read the
sequence and thereby identify the pattern sequence.
[0026] Once identified, the body is sorted (108) based on an
identified composition of the body. The sorting at step (108)
places the analyzed body of the material with like materials and
like compositions. Sorting of materials commonly takes place in the
art of recycling. Each identified body may be sorted for proper
recycling, thereby mitigating waste and improper disposal of the
identified body.
[0027] FIG. 2 is a block diagram (200) illustrating a material
composition in the form of a body (210) with a pattern (220) across
at least a first surface (230) of the body (210). Specifically, the
composition includes a material having a single composition, and
the applied sequential pattern (220) covering substantially an
entire first surface (230) of the material. The pattern (220) is
applied on the first surface (230) of the body (210) such that the
pattern (220) would still be identifiable despite macroscopic
fracturing of the body (210). Specifically, the pattern (220)
remains recognizable on a fracture of the body (210) containing at
least one sequence of the applied pattern (220). In another
embodiment of the invention, the pattern (220) on a fracture of the
body (210) containing less than one sequence of the applied pattern
can still be identified by combining the fracture with other
similar body fractures to create a sequence of the identifiable
pattern (220).
[0028] A recyclable container commonly includes a body to hold a
secondary item. The body may come in different shapes and sizes,
and may form an enclosure. Specifically, the walls of the container
body are comprised of a material that includes two external and
visible surfaces. Although the second surface of the container may
not be readily visible in the container form, the second surface
may become visible when the container is broken apart for disposal
purposes. To facilitate identification of the body or a fracture of
the body, the sequential pattern (250) is shown in FIG. 2 applied
to a second surface (240), e.g. an oppositely disposed layer to the
first layer. Accordingly, the sequential pattern may be applied to
the first surface (230), the second surface (240), or both the
first and second surfaces (230) and (240).
[0029] FIG. 3 is a block diagram (300) for a system employed to
identify the composition of the body. The system provides a primary
platform (310) for carrying a body (302), the body described in
detail in FIG. 2, as well as a scanning module (304) to observe the
pattern applied to the body by scanning the body and creating an
image of the applied pattern based on the scan. In one embodiment,
the scanning module (304) creates a separate image for each exposed
surface of the body. An identification module (306) is provided in
communication with the scanning module to conduct image analysis on
the image of the scanned body. The identified pattern (220)
corresponds with a specific composition such that the
identification module (306) identifies a composition of the body
from the identified pattern (220). In one embodiment, the scanning
module (304) creates separate images for each exposed surface of
the body, and the identification module (306) analyzes each image
separately. Accordingly, the scanning module (304) functions with
the identification module (306) to acquire and ascertain a
sequential pattern attached to one or more surfaces of a body.
[0030] The identification module (306) may combine more than one
pattern scanned by the scanning module (304) for analysis and
identification of the acquired pattern. In one embodiment, the body
is moved to a second platform (330) for re-scanning if the
identification module (306) does not identify an associated
pattern. In another embodiment, a body with an unidentified pattern
is sorted with materials also containing no identified pattern.
Accordingly, the scanning and identification modules (304) and
(306) read the layer of the body to identify an applied pattern,
and thereby identify a material composition of the body.
[0031] A sorting module (308) is provided in communication with the
primary platform (310). The sorting module (308) sorts the body
based on an identified composition of the material. This sorting
process compiles materials of like composition. In one embodiment
of the invention, the secondary platform (320) carries the body for
processing to the scanning module (304) the identification module
(306), and the sorting module (308). The sorting of the material
allows for recycling of the material with like compositions.
[0032] As demonstrated in FIG. 3, a plurality of modules may be
employed to scan the body, analyze the image scan, and based upon
the visual assessment sort the material. FIG. 4 is a block diagram
(400) illustrating tools embedded in a system to support automated
assessment of the material composition of a body. For illustrative
purposes, a computer system (410) is provided in communication with
a primary platform (450). The computer system (410) is provided
with a processing unit (412) in communication with memory (416)
across a bus (414). The computer system (410) is shown in
communication with a sensor (440). In one embodiment, the sensor
(440) may be a part of or in communication with the primary
platform (450). A functional unit (420) is provided in
communication with memory (416). The functional unit (420) supports
management of material identification.
[0033] The sensor (440) functions in communication with the primary
platform (450), and more specifically to read and detect presence
of the body (452) on the primary platform (450). In one embodiment,
each body of material (452) is a discrete element. The functional
unit (420) is shown herein with tools for management of
identification of the material of the body (452). Specifically, the
tools include, but are not limited to, a scanning module (422), an
identification module (424), and a sorting module (426). The sensor
(440) is in communication with the scanning module (424) to
ascertain the presence of the body (452) in the primary
platform.
[0034] As explained herein, the scanning module (422) is in
communication with the sensor (440) and functions to identify
presence of the body of material (452) on the primary platform
(450). In response to the visibility of the body of material (452),
the scanning module (422) creates a scanned image for analysis. The
identification module proceeds to analyze the pattern sequence as
shown in the scanned image to identify a recognized pattern.
[0035] In one embodiment, a secondary platform (460) is provided in
communication with the primary platform (450), with the secondary
platform (460) provided to accept a transfer of material bodies
that have not attained a scanned image with a recognizable pattern.
Similarly, in one embodiment, the transferred bodies may be subject
to a repeat exposure to the scanning and identification modules
(422) and (424), respectively, or a scanning of a different
disposed surface of the body (452).
[0036] In another embodiment, a combination module (428) is
included in the functional unit, provided in communication with the
scanning module (422) and the identification module (424). In the
event the scanning module (422) does not identify a pattern
associated with a body, the combination module (428) systematically
combines multiple image scans taken of the body by the scanning
module (422). A pattern is identified by the identification module
(424) from the combined image scans. In one embodiment, if a
pattern is still not identified by the identification module (424),
the scanning module (422) takes additional image scans of the body
to be further combined by the combination module (428) and analyzed
by the identification module (424).
[0037] Once an identified pattern is attained from a scanned image,
the identification module (424) identifies a composition associated
with the identified pattern. The sorting module (426), in
communication with the identification module, sorts the body
associated with the identified composition. In one embodiment, a
body in which the identification module (424) could not identify an
associated pattern is sorted by the sorting module (426) with like
bodies in which the identification module (424) could not identify
a pattern.
[0038] The sensor (440) is provided in communication with the
scanning and identification modules (422) and (424), respectively,
of the functional unit (420). More specifically, the sensor (440)
detects presence of the material on the primary platform (450), and
in one embodiment, the secondary platform (460). The detected
presence of the material initiates scanning of the detected
material by the scanning module (422), following by image analysis
by the identification module (424) to identify the applied pattern
covering a layer of the body. The identification of the pattern
supports sorting of the material. Accordingly, as shown herein,
tools in the form of modules are provided to assess presence of a
pattern on a layer of the body, and identify the applied pattern to
enable proper sorting of the material body responsive to
identification of the material composition of the body.
[0039] As identified above, the scanning module (422),
identification module (424), sorting module (426), and combination
module (428), hereinafter referred to as tools, function as
elements to dynamically assess the material composition of a body.
The tools (422)-(428) are shown residing in memory (416) local to
the computing device (410). However, the tools (422)-(428) may
reside as hardware tools external to the memory (416), or they may
be implemented as a combination of hardware and software.
Similarly, in one embodiment, the tools (422)-(428) may be combined
into a single functional item that incorporates the functionality
of the separate items. As shown herein, each of the tools
(422)-(428) are shown local to the computing device (410). However,
in one embodiment they may be collectively or individually
distributed across a network or multiple machines and function as a
unit to dynamically assess and manage material identification.
Accordingly, the tools may be implemented as software tools,
hardware tools, or a combination of software and hardware
tools.
[0040] As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of
the present invention may be embodied as a system, method or
computer program product. Accordingly, aspects of the present
invention may take the form of an entirely hardware based
embodiment, an entirely software based embodiment (including
firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment
combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be
referred to herein as a "circuit," "module" or "system."
Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of
a computer program product embodied in one or more computer
readable medium(s) having computer readable program code embodied
thereon.
[0041] Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s)
may be utilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer
readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A
computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not
limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic,
infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any
suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a
non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable storage medium would
include the following: an electrical connection having one or more
wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access
memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable
read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a
portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage
device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of
the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable
storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or
store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction
execution system, apparatus, or device.
[0042] A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated
data signal with computer readable program code embodied therein,
for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a
propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms, including,
but not limited to, electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable
combination thereof. A computer readable signal medium may be any
computer readable medium that is not a computer readable storage
medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program
for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system,
apparatus, or device.
[0043] Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be
transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited
to wireless, wire line, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any
suitable combination of the foregoing.
[0044] Computer program code for carrying out operations for
aspects of the present invention may be written in any combination
of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented
programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and
conventional procedural programming languages, such as the "C"
programming language or similar programming languages. The program
code may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the
user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the
user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the
remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote
computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type
of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area
network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external
computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet
Service Provider).
[0045] Aspects of the present invention are described above with
reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of
methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products
according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood
that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block
diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations
and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program
instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided
to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose
computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to
produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via
the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing
apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts
specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or
blocks.
[0046] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a
computer readable medium that can direct a computer, other
programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to
function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored
in the computer readable medium produce an article of manufacture
including instructions which implement the function/act specified
in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
[0047] The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a
computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other
devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on
the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to
produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions
which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus
provide processes for implementing the functions/acts specified in
the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
[0048] Referring now to the block diagram of FIG. 5, additional
details are now described with respect to implementing an
embodiment of the present invention. The computer system includes
one or more processors, such as a processor (502). The processor
(602) is connected to a communication infrastructure (504) (e.g., a
communications bus, cross-over bar, or network).
[0049] The computer system can include a display interface (506)
that forwards graphics, text, and other data from the communication
infrastructure (504) (or from a frame buffer not shown) for display
on a display unit (508). The computer system also includes a main
memory (510), preferably random access memory (RAM), and may also
include a secondary memory (512). The secondary memory (512) may
include, for example, a hard disk drive (514) and/or a removable
storage drive (516), representing, for example, a floppy disk
drive, a magnetic tape drive, or an optical disk drive. The
removable storage drive (516) reads from and/or writes to a
removable storage unit (518) in a manner well known to those having
ordinary skill in the art. Removable storage unit (518) represents,
for example, a floppy disk, a compact disc, a magnetic tape, or an
optical disk, etc., which is read by and written to by removable
storage drive (516). As will be appreciated, the removable storage
unit (518) includes a computer readable medium having stored
therein computer software and/or data.
[0050] In alternative embodiments, the secondary memory (512) may
include other similar means for allowing computer programs or other
instructions to be loaded into the computer system. Such means may
include, for example, a removable storage unit (520) and an
interface (522). Examples of such means may include a program
package and package interface (such as that found in video game
devices), a removable memory chip (such as an EPROM, or PROM) and
associated socket, and other removable storage units (520) and
interfaces (522) which allow software and data to be transferred
from the removable storage unit (520) to the computer system.
[0051] The computer system may also include a communications
interface (524). Communications interface (524) allows software and
data to be transferred between the computer system and external
devices. Examples of communications interface (524) may include a
modem, a network interface (such as an Ethernet card), a
communications port, or a PCMCIA slot and card, etc. Software and
data transferred via communications interface (524) are in the form
of signals which may be, for example, electronic, electromagnetic,
optical, or other signals capable of being received by
communications interface (524). These signals are provided to
communications interface (524) via a communications path (i.e.,
channel) (526). This communications path (526) carries signals and
may be implemented using wire or cable, fiber optics, a phone line,
a cellular phone link, a radio frequency (RF) link, and/or other
communication channels.
[0052] In this document, the terms "computer program medium,"
"computer usable medium," and "computer readable medium" are used
to generally refer to media such as main memory (510) and secondary
memory (512), removable storage drive (516), and a hard disk
installed in hard disk drive (514).
[0053] Computer programs (also called computer control logic) are
stored in main memory (510) and/or secondary memory (512). Computer
programs may also be received via a communication interface (524).
Such computer programs, when run, enable the computer system to
perform the features of the present invention as discussed herein.
In particular, the computer programs, when run, enable the
processor (502) to perform the features of the computer system.
Accordingly, such computer programs represent controllers of the
computer system.
[0054] The flowchart(s) and block diagrams in the Figures
illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of
possible implementations of systems, methods and computer program
products according to various embodiments of the present invention.
In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may
represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises
one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified
logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in some
alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may
occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two
blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially
concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the
reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will
also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or
flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block
diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by
special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified
functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and
computer instructions.
[0055] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and
"the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood
that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this
specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude
the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
[0056] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and
equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the
claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or
act for performing the function in combination with other claimed
elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present
invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and
description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the
invention in the form disclosed.
[0057] Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those
of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and
spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in
order to best explain the principles of the invention and the
practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in
the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with
various modifications as are suited to the particular use
contemplated.
Alternative Embodiment
[0058] It will be appreciated that, although specific embodiments
of the invention have been described herein for purposes of
illustration, various modifications may be made without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope
of protection of this invention is limited only by the following
claims and their equivalents.
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