U.S. patent application number 15/243018 was filed with the patent office on 2016-12-29 for identification authentication in a communications network.
The applicant listed for this patent is Steve Smith. Invention is credited to Steve Smith.
Application Number | 20160379328 15/243018 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47174522 |
Filed Date | 2016-12-29 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20160379328 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Smith; Steve |
December 29, 2016 |
Identification Authentication in a Communications Network
Abstract
Systems and methods for an identification capable communication
device are provided. The communication device or line is registered
or associated with a primary unique ID that identifies a person.
Furthermore, the unique ID is associated with a secondary unique ID
(e.g., biometric information of that person, or a unique
identification code only known by that person). The combination of
the primary and the secondary IDs is registered with a server
system that is capable of verifying the two IDs when a
communication connection is initiated from the registered
communication device or line.
Inventors: |
Smith; Steve; (Fullerton,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Smith; Steve |
Fullerton |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
47174522 |
Appl. No.: |
15/243018 |
Filed: |
August 22, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13475903 |
May 18, 2012 |
9455982 |
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15243018 |
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61488153 |
May 20, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/317 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 16/9535 20190101;
G06Q 30/018 20130101; H04L 63/0861 20130101; G06F 16/23 20190101;
H04L 63/308 20130101; H04W 12/06 20130101; G06Q 50/265
20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 50/26 20060101
G06Q050/26; G06F 17/30 20060101 G06F017/30; G06Q 30/00 20060101
G06Q030/00; H04L 29/06 20060101 H04L029/06 |
Claims
1-10. (canceled)
11. An identification method using a mobile communication device
having a first unique identifier, the method comprising:
registering the mobile communication to a single user as an
identification device in a onetime interaction with a
representative of a recognized authority, wherein registering the
mobile communication device to the single user includes: assigning
the first unique identifier of a mobile communication device to the
single user, wherein the first unique identifier uniquely
identifies the single user to whom the mobile communication device
is registered, associating a second unique identifier to the first
unique identifier, the second unique identifier including biometric
data of the single user, verifying the accuracy and legitimacy of
the first unique identifier, the second unique identifier, and the
single user's identity by the representative using legally
recognized identification information, certifying the first unique
identifier and the second unique identifier by the recognized
authority, and storing a photo of the single user, the certified
first unique identifier, and the certified second unique identifier
on a remote secure server that includes a verification mechanism,
wherein the remote secure server and verification mechanism are
configured to verify identities of persons; establishing a
communication connection to the remote secure server with the
identification device by a caller; automatically transmitting the
first unique identifier from the identification device to the
remote secure server for processing by the verification mechanism;
inputting the secondary ID into the identification device by the
caller; transmitting the secondary ID from the identification
device to the remote secure server for processing by the
verification mechanism, wherein upon receipt of the first unique
identifier and the secondary ID, the verification mechanism
compares the first unique identifier and the secondary ID to the
certified first unique identifier and the certified second unique
identifier; and transmitting authentication information and the
photo of the single user from the remote secure server confirming
that the caller and the single user are the same individual if the
first unique identifier and the secondary ID match the certified
first unique identifier and the certified second unique
identifier.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein the legally recognized
identification information includes a governmentally issued ID.
13. The method of claim 11 wherein the photo is transmitted to a
third party device.
14. The method of claim 11 wherein the biometric data comprises
finger print information.
15. The method of claim 11 wherein the biometric data comprises
retina scan information.
16. The method of claim 11 wherein the authentication information
is provided to an enforcement authority.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein the authentication information
includes information verifying that the single user to whom the
mobile communication device is registered has a valid legally
recognized license to practice a certain profession.
18. The method of claim 16 wherein the enforcement authority is a
police officer.
19. An identification system comprising: a mobile communication
device configured to be registered to a single user as an
identification device; and a verification mechanism located on a
remote server configured to identify the single user; wherein: the
mobile communication device is registered to the single user in a
onetime interaction with a representative of a recognized
authority, a unique first identifier associates the mobile
communication device to the single user and uniquely identifies the
single user to whom the mobile communication device is registered,
a unique second identifier based on biometric information of the
single user is associated with the first unique identifier, the
accuracy and legitimacy of the associated first unique identifier,
the second unique identifier, and the single user's identity is
verified and certified by a representative of a recognized
authority using legally recognized identification information, the
remote server includes a photo of the single user, the certified
first unique identifier, and the certified second unique
identifier, upon establishing a communication connection with the
identification device to the remote server by a caller, the
identification device automatically transmits the first unique
identifier from the identification device to the remote secure
server for processing by the verification mechanism, upon input of
a secondary ID based on biometric data of the caller into the
identification device, the identification device transmits the
secondary ID from the identification device to the remote secure
server for processing by the verification mechanism, upon receipt
of the first unique identifier and the secondary ID, the
verification mechanism compares the first unique identifier and the
secondary ID to the certified first unique identifier and the
certified second unique identifier; and transmits authentication
information and the photo of the single user from the remote secure
server confirming that the caller and the single user are the same
individual if the first unique identifier and the secondary ID
match the certified first unique identifier and the certified
second unique identifier.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein the legally recognized
identification information includes a governmentally issued ID.
21. The method of claim 19 wherein the photo is transmitted to a
third party device.
22. The identification system of claim 19, wherein first unique
identifier and the secondary ID are transmitted to the remote
server through a third party verification device.
23. The method of claim 19 wherein the biometric data comprises
finger print information,
24. The method of claim 19 wherein the biometric data comprises
retina scan information.
25. The method of claim 19 wherein the authentication information
is provided to an enforcement authority.
26. The method of claim 25 wherein the authentication information
includes information verifying that the single user to whom the
mobile communication device is registered has a valid legally
recognized license to practice a certain profession.
27. The method of claim 25 wherein the enforcement authority is a
police officer.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/475,903 filed May 18, 2012, entitled
"Identification Authentication in a Communications Network," which
claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/488,153
filed on May 20, 2011. The aforementioned applications are hereby
incorporated by reference in their entirety.
COPYRIGHT & TRADEMARK NOTICES
[0002] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document may
contain material, which is subject to copyright protection. Certain
marks referenced herein may be common law or registered trademarks
of the applicant, the assignee or third parties affiliated or
unaffiliated with the applicant or the assignee. Use of these marks
is for providing an enabling disclosure by way of example and shall
not be construed to exclusively limit the scope of the disclosed
subject matter to material associated with such marks.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The disclosed subject matter relates generally to
authenticating the identity of a party engaged in communication
over a communications network.
BACKGROUND
[0004] Currently there are few identification schemes available
that can securely verify the identity of parties communicating over
a communications network. For example, caller identification
services are available through the phone company which identify a
calling party on the receiving end, by way of providing the name of
the calling party on a caller ID screen. This caller ID
information, however, is associated with the phone line from which
the call is made and not necessarily with the person who is making
the phone call. In other words, if a first party initiates a call
to a second party from a phone line registered to a third party,
the second party will not be able to verify the identity of the
first party based on the caller ID information of the third
party.
SUMMARY
[0005] For purposes of summarizing, certain aspects, advantages,
and novel features have been described herein. It is to be
understood that not all such advantages may be achieved in
accordance with any one particular embodiment. Thus, the disclosed
subject matter may be embodied or carried out in a manner that
achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages without
achieving all advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.
[0006] In accordance with one or more embodiments, an
identification capable communication device is provided. The
communication device is registered or associated with a primary
unique ID that identifies a person. Furthermore, the unique ID is
associated with a secondary unique ID (e.g., biometric information
of that person, or a unique identification code only known by that
person). The combination of the primary and the secondary IDs is
registered with a server system that is capable of verifying the
two IDs when a communication connection is initiated from the
registered communication device or communication line.
[0007] When initiating a call, the primary ID is automatically
provided to a server system configured for authenticating the
identification of the caller. The caller is then requested to
provide the secondary unique ID by way of providing the respective
unique code. The unique identification code may be directly entered
onto the phone pad or provided by way of a retina scanner, a
fingerprint reader, or other type of biometric data collection
mechanism.
[0008] The secondary ID information, in addition to the primary ID
information are provided to the server. If the two IDs match, then
the server can authenticate the identity of the caller and provide
the relevant identity information previously stored on the server
to the party receiving the call.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The disclosed embodiments may be better understood by
referring to the figures in the attached drawings, as provided
below.
[0010] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an operating environment in
which a communication device communicates with a verification
mechanism over a network, in accordance with one embodiment.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a method of verifying the
identity of a caller using an ID enabled communication device, in
accordance with one embodiment.
[0012] FIGS. 3A and 3B are block diagrams of hardware and software
environments in which the disclosed systems and methods may
operate, in accordance with one or more embodiments.
[0013] Features, elements, and aspects that are referenced by the
same numerals in different figures represent the same, equivalent,
or similar features, elements, or aspects, in accordance with one
or more embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
[0014] In the following, numerous specific details are set forth to
provide a thorough description of various embodiments. Certain
embodiments may be practiced without these specific details or with
some variations in detail. In some instances, certain features are
described in less detail so as not to obscure other aspects. The
level of detail associated with each of the elements or features
should not be construed to qualify the novelty or importance of one
feature over the others.
[0015] Referring to FIG. 1, in accordance with one or more
embodiments, an identification capable communication device 110 is
provided. The communication device 110 may have an operating system
112 and system software 114 that enables the communication device
110 to communicate, over a network 130, with a verification
mechanism 120. Verification mechanism 120 may be implemented on a
remote server and may utilize an operating system 122 and system
software 124 to receive authentication requests from communication
device 110.
[0016] Communication device 110, a SIM card used in the
communication device 110, or a phone number or phone line
associated with the communication device 110 may be registered or
associated with a primary unique ID that is assigned to or
identifies a person, so that when a communication connection is
established between the communication device 110 and a verification
mechanism 120 on a remote server, for example, the primary unique
ID may be retrieved. The unique ID may be stored in a repository
140 or alternatively, the primary unique ID may be stored in the
communication device 110 directly and communicated to the
verification mechanism 120.
[0017] In one embodiment, the primary unique ID is associated with
a secondary unique ID (e.g., biometric information of that person,
or a unique identification code only known by that person). The
combination of the primary and the secondary IDs is registered with
verification mechanism 120 that is capable of verifying the two IDs
when a communication connection is initiated from a registered
communication device 110 or line. If the records stored in the
repository 140, for example, indicate a match between the two IDs,
then the identity of the caller is verified or authenticated.
[0018] Referring to FIG. 2, in one implementation, when initiating
a call, the primary ID is automatically transmitted to the
verification mechanism 120 from the communication device 110
(S210). The caller may be requested to provide the secondary unique
ID by way of providing a secondary ID or data that uniquely
identifies the registered caller (S220). The secondary ID may be
directly entered onto the phone pad or provided by way of a retina
scanner, a fingerprint reader, or other type of biometric data
collection mechanism.
[0019] Accordingly, the secondary ID information, in addition to
the primary ID information, is provided to the verification
mechanism 120. If the primary and secondary IDs match (S230), then
the verification mechanism 120 successfully authenticates the
identity of the caller and provides the relevant identity
information to the party receiving the call (S240). Otherwise, the
authentication fails and is handled by way of, for example,
requesting the caller to try again or terminating the connection
(S250).
[0020] In accordance with some embodiments, an ID capable
communication device 110 may be a landline phone, a cell phone or
other type of mobile terminal such as a tablet or laptop configured
for transmitting the noted identification information to a
verification mechanism 120. Depending on implementation, the
secondary ID may include any type of data that uniquely identifies
the caller, such as social security number, driver's license
number, a physician's license number, a physician's drug
enforcement agency (DEA) number, biometric data, or the like. This
information may be certified by way of a recognized authority or
mechanisms and registered in a secure server after the information
has been properly vetted.
[0021] The registration or vetting process may take place by way of
a onetime interaction with a representative that verifies the
accuracy and legitimacy of the information (e.g., by identifying
the person via some legal identification means either in person
based on governmentally issued IDs, such as a driver license,
social security card or passport, or by other identification
processing instruments commonly used to identify a person).
[0022] In one embodiment, for each profession, a standardized
identification template may be implemented that indicates the type
of identification data that are to be provided or collected in
order to properly identify an individual based on a call initiated
by a communication device 110 registered to him. For example, in
the case of a doctor who needs to write a prescription, the
template may require the verification of the ID information based
on the presentation of a photo ID and a state driver's license. The
doctor's physician's license number and the doctors DEA number may
be also used either separately or in combination with the above as
means of uniquely identifying the doctor.
[0023] In one implementation, a proper registration will result in
the unique ID and the related authentication information for the
person using the communication device to be stored in the secure
server. The secure server may reside at a telephone company or may
be attached to a network accessible by the communication company
involved in routing a call initiated with a registered
communication device. To initiate a communication (e.g., a phone
call), the person will enter the destination contact information
(e.g., telephone number, fax number, email address, etc.) to the
communication device. The initiation of the communication results
in the primary ID data (e.g., the ID of the communication device,
or the phone line from which the call is made) to be sent to the
server.
[0024] Before or after the connection is established, the person
may provide voluntarily, or in response to a prompt, the secondary
ID information by way of the keypad on the calling device. For
example, a doctor writing a prescription may be prompted to enter
her driver license number or DEA number. Alternatively, if
biometric information is to be provided, the doctor may provide
that information by way of a retina or fingerprint scan, for
example. If there is a match between the primary ID and the
secondary ID, then the server authenticates the caller and provides
the identifying information to the receiving party.
[0025] In one embodiment, the above authentication scheme may be
utilized by a doctor to send a prescription to a pharmacy, instead
of having to call the pharmacy over the phone or write a
prescription on a prescription pad. The prescription may thus be
generated in the form of an email, a log or a fax that is
transmitted to the pharmacy or stored in a location where a
pharmacist may access it (e.g., by logging into a secure platform).
When the pharmacy has the prescription, the pharmacists will look
for the time and date stamp plus a unique code or watermark that
is, for example, randomly assigned to each prescription. The server
may generate this code or watermark as a means of providing
additional authentication insignia.
[0026] Optionally, when the pharmacist is ready to fill the
prescription, he or she will log on and enter a code to retrieve
the prescription. If this prescription was legitimately sent, the
numbers entered will match those on the server and the order will
be filled. Each time the doctor sends a prescription, a new time
and date stamp, as well as a new prescription number may be
generated. As such, if information was entered incorrectly or if
someone tries to fake a prescription, the pharmacist will get a
void or unauthorized notice and the order will not be filled
[0027] In another embodiment, the above authentication scheme may
be used by a law enforcement agency to determine the true identity
of a person. For example, the target person may be asked to dial a
number or use Bluetooth connectivity of his mobile phone to
establish a communication connection with a law enforcement
agency's verification device. The target person may be then asked
to enter his biometric information to the phone. If the phone has
been already registered, then the provided information may be used
by the server with which the communication connection is
established to identify the target person in a similar manner as
disclosed earlier.
[0028] In one exemplary implementation, the receiving party (e.g.,
the pharmacy or the law enforcement personnel) will be able to
further verify the identity of the caller or a target person based
on an image or photo of the caller or the target person. In such an
implementation, at the time of registration, a photograph of the
person is taken and added to the person's profile information
stored in a central database (e.g., repository 140) that can be
accessed at the time the identification is being made. For example,
in the case of a law enforcement personnel, the target person may
utilize a mobile phone to communicate the identification
information stored on the phone with the law enforcement's
verification device. The verification device, in turn, communicates
the identification information to a server system which verifies
the authenticity of the information by matching the provided
identification information with the data that has been stored in a
registration database, for example, at the time of
registration.
[0029] If the identification information is successfully
authenticated by the server, then the server communicates a success
notification back to the law enforcement agency's verification
device. The success notification may in part also include a photo
of the target person that was taken at the time of registration.
Inclusion of the photo in the success notification may enhance the
law enforcement personnel's ability to better identify the target
person. In addition to the photo, and depending on implementation,
other data may be also included with the success notification. For
example, if the target person is a licensed person (e.g., a doctor,
a police officer, an attorney, a real estate broker, etc.) then
related license information may be also displayed, which would
enhance the target person's ability to get through certain check
points, for example, or make it possible for the target person to
obtain certain information that would not otherwise be available to
an unlicensed person.
[0030] References in this specification to "an embodiment", "one
embodiment", "one or more embodiments" or the like, mean that the
particular element, feature, structure or characteristic being
described is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosed
subject matter. Occurrences of such phrases in this specification
should not be particularly construed as referring to the same
embodiment, nor should such phrases be interpreted as referring to
embodiments that are mutually exclusive with respect to the
discussed features or elements.
[0031] In different embodiments, the claimed subject matter may be
implemented as a combination of both hardware and software
elements, or alternatively either entirely in the form of hardware
or entirely in the form of software. Further, computing systems and
program software disclosed herein may comprise a controlled
computing environment that may be presented in terms of hardware
components or logic code executed to perform methods and processes
that achieve the results contemplated herein. Said methods and
processes, when performed by a general purpose computing system or
machine, convert the general purpose machine to a specific purpose
machine.
[0032] Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, a computing system environment
in accordance with an exemplary embodiment may be composed of a
hardware environment 1110 and a software environment 1120. The
hardware environment 1110 may comprise logic units, circuits or
other machinery and equipment that provide an execution environment
for the components of software environment 1120. In turn, the
software environment 1120 may provide the execution instructions,
including the underlying operational settings and configurations,
for the various components of hardware environment 1110.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 3A, the application software and logic
code disclosed herein may be implemented in the form of machine
readable code executed over one or more computing systems
represented by the exemplary hardware environment 1110. As
illustrated, hardware environment 1110 may comprise a processor
1101 coupled to one or more storage elements by way of a system bus
1100. The storage elements, for example, may comprise local memory
1102, storage media 1106, cache memory 1104 or other machine-usable
or computer readable media. Within the context of this disclosure,
a machine usable or computer readable storage medium may include
any recordable article that may be utilized to contain, store,
communicate, propagate or transport program code.
[0034] A computer readable storage medium may be an electronic,
magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor
medium, system, apparatus or device. The computer readable storage
medium may also be implemented in a propagation medium, without
limitation, to the extent that such implementation is deemed
statutory subject matter. Examples of a computer readable storage
medium may include a semiconductor or solid-state memory, magnetic
tape, a removable computer diskette, a random access memory (RAM),
a read-only memory (ROM), a rigid magnetic disk, an optical disk,
or a carrier wave, where appropriate. Current examples of optical
disks include compact disk, read only memory (CD-ROM), compact disk
read/write (CD-R/W), digital video disk (DVD), high definition
video disk (HD-DVD) or Blue-ray.TM. disk.
[0035] In one embodiment, processor 1101 loads executable code from
storage media 1106 to local memory 1102. Cache memory 1104
optimizes processing time by providing temporary storage that helps
reduce the number of times code is loaded for execution. One or
more user interface devices 1105 (e.g., keyboard, pointing device,
etc.) and a display screen 1107 may be coupled to the other
elements in the hardware environment 1110 either directly or
through an intervening I/O controller 1103, for example. A
communication interface unit 1108, such as a network adapter, may
be provided to enable the hardware environment 1110 to communicate
with local or remotely located computing systems, printers and
storage devices via intervening private or public networks (e.g.,
the Internet). Wired or wireless modems and Ethernet cards are a
few of the exemplary types of network adapters.
[0036] It is noteworthy that hardware environment 1110, in certain
implementations, may not include some or all the above components,
or may comprise additional components to provide supplemental
functionality or utility. Depending on the contemplated use and
configuration, hardware environment 1110 may be a machine such as a
desktop or a laptop computer, or other computing device optionally
embodied in an embedded system such as a set-top box, a personal
digital assistant (PDA), a personal media player, a mobile
communication unit (e.g., a wireless phone), or other similar
hardware platforms that have information processing or data storage
capabilities.
[0037] In some embodiments, communication interface 1108 acts as a
data communication port to provide means of communication with one
or more computing systems by sending and receiving digital,
electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals that carry analog or
digital data streams representing various types of information,
including program code. The communication may be established by way
of a local or a remote network, or alternatively by way of
transmission over the air or other medium, including without
limitation propagation over a carrier wave.
[0038] As provided here, the disclosed software elements that are
executed on the illustrated hardware elements are defined according
to logical or functional relationships that are exemplary in
nature. It should be noted, however, that the respective methods
that are implemented by way of said exemplary software elements may
be also encoded in said hardware elements by way of configured and
programmed processors, application specific integrated circuits
(ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and digital signal
processors (DSPs), for example.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 3B, software environment 1120 may be
generally divided into two classes comprising system software 1121
and application software 1122 as executed on one or more hardware
environments 1110. In one embodiment, the methods and processes
disclosed here may be implemented as system software 1121,
application software 1122, or a combination thereof. System
software 1121 may comprise control programs, such as an operating
system (OS) or an information management system, that instruct one
or more processors 1101 (e.g., microcontrollers) in the hardware
environment 1110 on how to function and process information.
Application software 1122 may comprise but is not limited to
program code, data structures, firmware, resident software,
microcode or any other form of information or routine that may be
read, analyzed or executed by a processor 1101.
[0040] In other words, application software 1122 may be implemented
as program code embedded in a computer program product in form of a
machine-usable or computer readable storage medium that provides
program code for use by, or in connection with, a machine, a
computer or any instruction execution system. Moreover, application
software 1122 may comprise one or more computer programs that are
executed on top of system software 1121 after being loaded from
storage media 1106 into local memory 1102. In a client-server
architecture, application software 1122 may comprise client
software and server software. For example, in one embodiment,
client software may be executed on a client computing system that
is distinct and separable from a server computing system on which
server software is executed.
[0041] Software environment 1120 may also comprise browser software
1126 for accessing data available over local or remote computing
networks. Further, software environment 1120 may comprise a user
interface 1124 (e.g., a graphical user interface (GUI)) for
receiving user commands and data. It is worthy to repeat that the
hardware and software architectures and environments described
above are for purposes of example. As such, one or more embodiments
may be implemented over any type of system architecture, functional
or logical platform or processing environment.
[0042] It should also be understood that the logic code, programs,
modules, processes, methods and the order in which the respective
processes of each method are performed are purely exemplary.
Depending on implementation, the processes or any underlying
sub-processes and methods may be performed in any order or
concurrently, unless indicated otherwise in the present disclosure.
Further, unless stated otherwise with specificity, the definition
of logic code within the context of this disclosure is not related
or limited to any particular programming language, and may comprise
one or more modules that may be executed on one or more processors
in distributed, non-distributed, single or multiprocessing
environments.
[0043] As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, a software
embodiment may include firmware, resident software, micro-code,
etc. Certain components including software or hardware or combining
software and hardware aspects may generally be referred to herein
as a "circuit," "module" or "system." Furthermore, the subject
matter disclosed may be implemented as a computer program product
embodied in one or more computer readable storage medium(s) having
computer readable program code embodied thereon. Any combination of
one or more computer readable storage medium(s) may be utilized.
The computer readable storage 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.
[0044] 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. 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.
[0045] Program code embodied on a computer readable storage medium
may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not
limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or
any suitable combination of the foregoing. Computer program code
for carrying out the disclosed operations 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.
[0046] 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).
[0047] Certain embodiments are disclosed with reference to
flowchart illustrations or block diagrams of methods, apparatus
(systems) and computer program products according to embodiments.
It will be understood that each block of the flowchart
illustrations 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, a special purpose machinery, 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 or acts specified in the flowchart or
block diagram block or blocks.
[0048] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a
computer readable storage 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 storage medium produce an article of
manufacture including instructions which implement the function or
act specified in the flowchart or block diagram block or
blocks.
[0049] 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 or machine implemented process such that the
instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable
apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions or acts
specified in the flowchart or block diagram block or blocks.
[0050] The flowchart 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. 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 functions. It
should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the
functions noted in the block may occur in any order or out of the
order noted in the figures.
[0051] 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 or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in
the block diagrams or flowchart illustration, may be implemented by
special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified
functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and
computer instructions.
[0052] The claimed subject matter has been provided here with
reference to one or more features or embodiments. Those skilled in
the art will recognize and appreciate that, despite of the detailed
nature of the exemplary embodiments provided here, changes and
modifications may be applied to said embodiments without limiting
or departing from the generally intended scope. These and various
other adaptations and combinations of the embodiments provided here
are within the scope of the disclosed subject matter as defined by
the claims and their full set of equivalents.
* * * * *