U.S. patent application number 15/436860 was filed with the patent office on 2017-06-08 for audio file management for automated synchronization of an audio track with external video playback.
The applicant listed for this patent is Theater Ears, LLC. Invention is credited to Larry A. Kawa.
Application Number | 20170164034 15/436860 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55584388 |
Filed Date | 2017-06-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170164034 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kawa; Larry A. |
June 8, 2017 |
AUDIO FILE MANAGEMENT FOR AUTOMATED SYNCHRONIZATION OF AN AUDIO
TRACK WITH EXTERNAL VIDEO PLAYBACK
Abstract
Embodiments of the invention provide for audio file management
for synchronized audio playback in coordination with external video
playback. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for audio
file management for synchronized audio playback in coordination
with external video playback includes receiving a request to
synchronize playback of an audio file locally stored in a mobile
device with audio resulting from projection of a motion picture in
a movie theater. The method additionally includes synchronizing
playback of the audio file with the audio resulting from the
projection of the motion picture in response to receiving the
request. The method yet further includes determining that the
synchronized playback of the audio file in the mobile device has
completed. Finally, the method includes responding to the
determination, by irretrievably modifying the audio file in the
mobile device and by subsequently deleting the irretrievably
modified audio file from the mobile device.
Inventors: |
Kawa; Larry A.; (Boca Raton,
FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Theater Ears, LLC |
Boca Raton |
FL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
55584388 |
Appl. No.: |
15/436860 |
Filed: |
February 19, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14601201 |
Jan 20, 2015 |
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15436860 |
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14501625 |
Sep 30, 2014 |
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14601201 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B 27/10 20130101;
G06F 3/0482 20130101; H04N 21/8106 20130101; H04N 21/4126 20130101;
H04N 5/9305 20130101; H04N 21/42203 20130101; H04M 1/72572
20130101; H04N 5/775 20130101; H04M 1/72527 20130101; H04M 1/72577
20130101; H04N 21/439 20130101; H04N 5/04 20130101; H04M 1/72569
20130101; H04N 21/4307 20130101; G06F 16/685 20190101; H04N 5/7755
20130101; G06F 3/0484 20130101; G11B 27/036 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04N 21/43 20060101
H04N021/43; H04N 5/04 20060101 H04N005/04; H04N 5/775 20060101
H04N005/775; H04N 21/439 20060101 H04N021/439; G11B 27/036 20060101
G11B027/036; H04N 21/81 20060101 H04N021/81; H04N 21/41 20060101
H04N021/41; H04N 5/93 20060101 H04N005/93; H04M 1/725 20060101
H04M001/725; G11B 27/10 20060101 G11B027/10 |
Claims
1. A method for audio file management for synchronized audio
playback in coordination with external video playback, the method
comprising: receiving a request to synchronize playback of an audio
file locally stored in a mobile device with audio resulting from
projection of a motion picture in a movie theater; determining an
end time associated with the projection of the motion picture;
synchronizing playback of the audio file with the audio resulting
from the projection of the motion picture in response to receiving
the request; determining that the synchronized playback of the
audio file in the mobile device has completed and that a threshold
period of time has elapsed since the end time; and, responding to
the determination that synchronized playback of the audio file
already stored on the mobile device has completed and that a
threshold period of time has elapsed since the end time, by
irretrievably modifying the audio file in the mobile device and
subsequently deleting the irretrievably modified audio file from
the mobile device.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the irretrievable modification
comprises: selecting multiple different portions of the audio file;
generating a different random number for each of the multiple
different portions; and, changing each selected portion to a value
based upon a correspondingly generated one of the different random
numbers.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining a
location of the mobile phone during the synchronized playback; and,
performing the irretrievable modification of the audio file not
only in response to the determination that the synchronized
playback of the audio file has completed, but also in response to a
determination that the mobile phone is no longer located within a
threshold distance of the determined location.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining a start
time associated with the projection of the motion picture;
computing an end time based upon a known duration of the motion
picture; and, performing the irretrievable modification of the
audio file not only in response to the determination that the
synchronized playback of the audio file has completed, but also in
response to a determination that a threshold period of time has
elapsed since the end time.
5. A data processing system configured for audio file management
for synchronized audio playback in coordination with external video
playback, the system comprising: a mobile computing device
comprising at least one processor, memory, cellular telephony
circuitry and a display; and, an audio synchronization module
executing in the memory of the mobile computing device, the module
comprising program code enabled to respond to a request to
synchronize playback of an audio file stored locally in the mobile
device with audio resulting from projection of a motion picture in
a movie theater, by determining an end time associated with the
projection of the motion picture, synchronizing playback of the
audio file through the mobile device with audio resulting from the
projection of the motion picture, determining that the synchronized
playback of the audio file in the mobile device has completed and
that a threshold period of time has elapsed since the end time, and
by irretrievably modifying the audio file in the mobile device and
subsequently deleting the irretrievably modified audio file from
the mobile device in response to the determination.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein the irretrievable modification
comprises: selecting multiple different portions of the audio file;
generating a different random number for each of the multiple
different portions; and, changing each selected portion to a value
based upon a correspondingly generated one of the different random
numbers.
7. The system of claim 5, wherein the program code is further
enabled to: determine a location of the mobile phone during the
synchronized playback; and, perform the irretrievable modification
of the audio file not only in response to the determination that
the synchronized playback of the audio file has completed, but also
in response to a determination that the mobile phone is no longer
located within a threshold distance of the determined location.
8. The system of claim 5, wherein the program code is further
enabled to: determine a start time associated with the projection
of the motion picture; compute an end time based upon a known
duration of the motion picture; and, perform the irretrievable
modification of the audio file not only in response to the
determination that the synchronized playback of the audio file has
completed, but also in response to a determination that a threshold
period of time has elapsed since the end time.
9. A computer program product for audio file management for
synchronized audio playback in coordination with external video
playback, the computer program product comprising a non-transitory
computer readable storage medium having program instructions
embodied therewith, the program instructions executable by a device
to cause the device to perform a method comprising: receiving a
request to synchronize playback of an audio file locally stored in
a mobile device with audio resulting from projection of a motion
picture in a movie theater; determining an end time associated with
the projection of the motion picture; synchronizing playback of the
audio file with the audio resulting from the projection of the
motion picture in response to receiving the request; determining
that the synchronized playback of the audio file in the mobile
device has completed and that a threshold period of time has
elapsed since the end time; and, responding to the determination
that synchronized playback of the audio file already stored on the
mobile device has completed and that a threshold period of time has
elapsed since the end time, by irretrievably modifying the audio
file in the mobile device and subsequently deleting the
irretrievably modified audio file from the mobile device.
10. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein the
irretrievable modification comprises: selecting multiple different
portions of the audio file; generating a different random number
for each of the multiple different portions; and, changing each
selected portion to a value based upon a correspondingly generated
one of the different random numbers.
11. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein the method
further comprises: determining a location of the mobile phone
during the synchronized playback; and, performing the irretrievable
modification of the audio file not only in response to the
determination that the synchronized playback of the audio file has
completed, but also in response to a determination that the mobile
phone is no longer located within a threshold distance of the
determined location.
12. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein the method
further comprises: determining a start time associated with the
projection of the motion picture; computing an end time based upon
a known duration of the motion picture; and, performing the
irretrievable modification of the audio file not only in response
to the determination that the synchronized playback of the audio
file has completed, but also in response to a determination that a
threshold period of time has elapsed since the end time.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S.
application Ser. No. 14/501,625, filed on Sep. 30, 2014, presently
pending, the entire teachings of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to audio playback in a mobile
device and more particularly to audio playback in coordination with
external video playback.
[0004] Description of the Related Art
[0005] Video playback refers to the presentation on a display
substrate of previously recorded video imagery. Historically, video
playback included merely the projection of a multiplicity of frames
stored in a pancake of film onto screen--typically fabric. Audio
playback simultaneously occurred with the playback of video imagery
in a coordinated fashion based upon the transduction of optical
patterns imprinted upon the film in association with one or more
frames of imagery also imprinted upon the film. Thus, the
coordination of playback of both audio and video remained the
responsibility of a single projection device in the context of
traditional film projection.
[0006] Unlike motion pictures, in the scholastic environment and
even in the context of modern visual presentations, visual playback
of a series of images such as a slide show occur separately from
the playback of accompanying audio. In this regard, it is customary
for the presenter to initiate playback, and in response to a
particular cue, such as the presentation of a slide that states,
"press play now", the presenter can manually initiate playback of
an audio cassette to audibly supplement the presentation of a
series of slides in the slide show. However, the necessity of
precision in coordinating the playback of the audio cassette with
the presentation of different slides is lacking in that each slide
of the slide show may remain visible on a presentation screen for
an extended duration.
[0007] Coordinating the playback of audio separately from the
projection of a film in a movie theater is not a problem of present
consideration because modern file projectors manage both audio and
video playback. However, circumstances arise where external audio
may be desired in supplement to or in replacement of the audio
inherently present during the projection of a film. For example,
for an audience member who comprehends a language other than the
language of a presented film and other audience members, it is
desirable to simulcast audio of a language native to the audience
member in lieu of the audio of the presented film that differs from
the language of the audience member. Yet, coordinating the
synchronized playback of the supplemental audio with the playback
of the video without the cooperation of the projectionist of the
film can be a manually intensive process of timing the initiation
of the playback of the supplemental audio in respect to a
particular cue of the film.
[0008] Of note, the use of a mobile device to support synchronized
audio playback within a theater environment is disfavored. In
particular, recording devices are strictly prohibited by most if
not all movie theaters so as to avoid the filming of a motion
picture for subsequent unauthorized re-distribution to others. Yet,
most mobile devices include audio and video recording
functionality. Also, the audio tracks utilized as supplemental
audio are costly to acquire and therefore, susceptible to piracy.
To the extent that an audio track is stored on a mobile device, the
subsequent unauthorized distribution of the audio file from the
mobile device to an unauthorized party is cause for alarm for the
film provider and the movie theater.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of
the art in respect to the use of a mobile device during audio
playback synchronized with external video playback and provide a
novel and non-obvious method, system and computer program product
for audio file management for synchronized audio playback in
coordination with external video playback. In an embodiment of the
invention, a method for audio file management for synchronized
audio playback in coordination with external video playback
includes receiving a request to synchronize playback of an audio
file locally stored in a mobile device with audio resulting from
projection of a motion picture in a movie theater. The method
additionally includes synchronizing playback of the audio file with
the audio resulting from the projection of the motion picture in
response to receiving the request. The method yet further includes
determining that the synchronized playback of the audio file in the
mobile device has completed. Finally, the method includes
responding to the determination, by irretrievably modifying the
audio file in the mobile device and by subsequently deleting the
irretrievably modified audio file from the mobile device.
[0010] In one aspect of the embodiment, the irretrievable
modification includes selecting multiple different portions of the
audio file and generating a different random number for each of the
multiple different portions. Thereafter, each selected portion is
changed to a value based upon a correspondingly generated one of
the different random numbers. In another aspect of the embodiment,
a location of the mobile phone during the synchronized playback is
determined and the irretrievable modification of the audio file is
performed not only in response to the determination that the
synchronized playback of the audio file has completed, but also in
response to a determination that the mobile phone is no longer
located within a threshold distance of the determined location. In
yet another aspect of the embodiment, a start time associated with
the projection of the motion picture is determined and an end time
is computed based upon a known duration of the motion picture.
Thereafter, the irretrievable modification of the audio file is
performed not only in response to the determination that the
synchronized playback of the audio file has completed, but also in
response to a determination that a threshold period of time has
elapsed since the end time.
[0011] In another embodiment of the invention, a data processing
system is configured for audio file management for synchronized
audio playback in coordination with external video playback. The
system includes a mobile computing device that has at least one
processor, memory, cellular telephony circuitry and a display. The
system also includes an audio synchronization module executing in
the memory of the mobile computing device. The module includes
program code enabled to respond to a request to synchronize
playback of an audio file stored locally in the mobile device with
a presentation of a motion picture onto a screen in a movie
theater, by synchronizing playback of the audio file through the
mobile device with audio resulting from the projection of the
motion picture, by determining that the synchronized playback of
the audio file in the mobile device has completed, and by
irretrievably modifying the audio file in the mobile device and
subsequently deleting the irretrievably modified audio file from
the mobile device in response to the determination.
[0012] Additional aspects of the invention will be set forth in
part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious
from the description, or may be learned by practice of the
invention. The aspects of the invention will be realized and
attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly
pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that
both the foregoing general description and the following detailed
description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not
restrictive of the invention, as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of
the invention and together with the description, serve to explain
the principles of the invention. The embodiments illustrated herein
are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the
invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and
instrumentalities shown, wherein:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a pictorial illustration of a process for audio
file management for synchronized audio playback in coordination
with external video playback;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a data processing
system configured for audio file management for synchronized audio
playback in coordination with external video playback; and,
[0016] FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a process for audio file
management for synchronized audio playback in coordination with
external video playback.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] Embodiments of the invention provide for audio file
management for synchronized audio playback in coordination with
external video playback. In accordance with an embodiment of the
invention, a request to synchronize playback of an audio file with
the projection of a film on a screen can be received in the memory
of a mobile device positioned proximately to the screen. In
response to the request, a particular audio file stored in a data
store of the mobile device can be selected for playback and a
particular starting position within the audio file can be selected
based upon detected audio resulting from the projection of the
file. Once the playback of the audio file has completed, the audio
file can be irretrievably modified and then deleted. In this way,
any subsequent unauthorized distribution of the audio file can be
prevented.
[0018] In further illustration, FIG. 1 pictorially shows a process
for audio file management for synchronized audio playback in
coordination with external video playback. As shown in FIG. 1, a
film projector 110 can project a motion picture onto a screen 120
such as is the case in a movie theater. A mobile device 140 in
proximity to the screen 120 can host the execution of audio
synchronization logic 150. The synchronization logic 150 during
execution can present a user interface in a display 130 of the
mobile device 140 with a control in response to the activation of
which, the audio synchronization logic 150 can direct the mobile
device 140 to transduce the audio of the projected file for use by
the audio synchronization logic 150 in synchronizing the playback
of a stored audio file 160 through an audio output device of the
mobile device 140. In this regard, the stored audio file can be
substantially equivalent to the audio of the film projected onto
the screen 120 excepting that the stored audio file 160 can be of a
different language.
[0019] Of note, subsequent to the playback of the stored audio file
160, the audio synchronization logic 150 can irretrievably modify
the stored audio file 160 into an irretrievably modified audio file
170. For instance, different portions or all portions 170A, 170B,
170N of the stored audio file 160 can be modified utilizing
different random numbers 180. The modification can include
performing a one-way hash of each of the bytes 170A, 170B, 170N
using a corresponding one of the random numbers 180, by way of
example. Thereafter, the audio synchronization logic 150 can delete
the irretrievably modified audio file 170 from the mobile device
140 by placing the irretrievably modified audio file 170 into the
local trash 190 portion of fixed storage. Additionally, the audio
synchronization logic 150 can direct the emptying of the trash 190.
In this way, even if the irretrievably modified audio file 170 is
surreptitiously recovered from the trash 190, the irretrievably
modified audio file 170 itself lacks the meaningful content of the
stored audio file 160 rendering the irretrievably modified audio
file 170 useless in terms of its audio content.
[0020] The process described in connection with FIG. 1 can be
implemented in a data processing system. In further illustration,
FIG. 2 schematically shows a data processing system configured for
audio file management for synchronized audio playback in
coordination with external video playback. The system can include a
mobile device 200, for instance a smart phone, tablet computer or
personal digital assistant. The mobile device 200 can include at
least one processor 220 and memory 230. The mobile device 200
additionally can include cellular communications circuitry 210
arranged to support cellular communications in the mobile device
200, as well as data communications circuitry 240 arranged to
support data communications.
[0021] An operating system 260 can execute in the memory 230 by the
processor 220 of the mobile device 200 and can support the
operation of a number of computer programs, including a camera
recorder 235 and a voice recorder 245. Further, a display
management program 255 can operate through the operating system 260
as can an audio management program 265. Of note, an audio
synchronization module 300 can be hosted by the operating system
260. The audio synchronization module 300 can include program code
that, when executed in the memory 230 by the operating system 260,
can act to synchronize the playback through audio output circuitry
270 of a selected audio track 215 in data store 250 of the mobile
device 200 in supplement to an externally projected motion
picture.
[0022] In this regard, the program code of the audio
synchronization module 300 is enabled to detect external audio
provided by the projection of a motion picture through microphone
280. Speech recognition engine 225 also executing in the memory 230
by the operating system 260 can process the external audio to
compare the resultant text to a known textual fingerprint so as to
determine a position of the audio track to play back in
synchronization with the detected external audio. Periodically, the
program code of the audio synchronization module 300 can detect
contemporaneously broadcast external audio provided by the
projection of the motion picture. The detected audio again can be
speech recognized by the speech recognition engine 225 so as to
produce text for comparison with a known transcription of audio of
the motion picture. Based upon the matching of the speech
recognized text to text in the transcription, the program code of
the audio synchronization module 300 is able to precisely locate a
contemporaneous position of the detected external audio so as to
coordinate the precise location in the audio track 215 to be played
back through the audio output circuitry 270.
[0023] Importantly, the program code of the audio synchronization
module 300 is enabled to irretrievably modify and delete the
selected audio track 215 from the data store 250. In this regard,
audio file deletion routine 275 can be accessed by the audio
synchronization module 300 so as to initially respond to the
termination of audio synchronized playback of the selected audio
track 215 by selecting and modifying different portions of the
selected audio track 215 utilizing random data. In particular, for
each of one or more selected portions of the selected audio track
215, a random number can be generated and used in one or more
predetermined mathematical operations in which the value of the
selected portion of the audio track 215 and the generated random
number are supplied as inputs so as to produce an output value. The
selected portion of the selected audio track 215 then is assigned
the output value. As such, the resultant file no longer contains
the audio content of the audio track 215. Thereafter, the program
code of the synchronization module 300 deletes the resultant file
from the data store 250.
[0024] In even yet further illustration of the operation of the
audio synchronization module 300, FIG. 3 is a flow chart
illustrating a process for audio file management for synchronized
audio playback in coordination with external video playback.
Beginning in block 310, a synchronization request is received to
perform the synchronized playback of a stored audio file in
connection with audio detected during projection of a motion
picture in a theater. In block 320, an audio file corresponding to
the request is selected and in block 330, a current location of the
mobile device and a current time is determined. In block 340, a
projected end time is computed for the motion picture based upon
the current time and a known duration of the motion picture.
[0025] In block 350, the synchronized playback of the audio file is
performed. During the synchronized playback, in block 360 a new
current time and location can be obtained. In decision block 370,
if the newly determined current time exceeds the end time by a
pre-specified threshold value, then in block 400 the audio file is
irretrievably modified and in block 410, the irretrievably modified
file is deleted from the data store of the mobile device. Likewise,
in decision block 380, if the newly determined location exceeds the
location at the commencement of playback by a pre-specified
threshold value, then in block 400 the audio file is irretrievably
modified and in block 410, the irretrievably modified file is
deleted from the data store of the mobile device. Finally, in
decision block 390, if it is determined that the synchronized
playback has completed, then in block 400 the audio file is
irretrievably modified and in block 410, the irretrievably modified
file is deleted from the data store of the mobile device.
[0026] The present invention may be embodied within a system, a
method, a computer program product or any combination thereof. The
computer program product may include a computer readable storage
medium or media having computer readable program instructions
thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present
invention. The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible
device that can retain and store instructions for use by an
instruction execution device. The computer readable storage medium
may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage
device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an
electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or
any suitable combination of the foregoing.
[0027] A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of the
computer readable storage medium includes the following: 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), a static random access memory (SRAM), a
portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital
versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically
encoded device such as punch-cards or raised structures in a groove
having instructions recorded thereon, and any suitable combination
of the foregoing. A computer readable storage medium, as used
herein, is not to be construed as being transitory signals per se,
such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic
waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a waveguide or
other transmission media (e.g., light pulses passing through a
fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmitted through a
wire.
[0028] Computer readable program instructions described herein can
be downloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a
computer readable storage medium or to an external computer or
external storage device via a network, for example, the Internet, a
local area network, a wide area network and/or a wireless network.
The network may comprise copper transmission cables, optical
transmission fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls,
switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers. A network adapter
card or network interface in each computing/processing device
receives computer readable program instructions from the network
and forwards the computer readable program instructions for storage
in a computer readable storage medium within the respective
computing/processing device.
[0029] Computer readable program instructions for carrying out
operations of the present invention may be assembler instructions,
instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine
instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware
instructions, state-setting data, or either source code or object
code written in any combination of one or more programming
languages, including an object oriented programming language such
as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, and conventional procedural
programming languages, such as the "C" programming language or
similar programming languages. The computer readable program
instructions 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). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry
including, for example, programmable logic circuitry,
field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays
(PLA) may execute the computer readable program instructions by
utilizing state information of the computer readable program
instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order to
perform aspects of the present invention.
[0030] Aspects of the present invention are described herein 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 readable
program instructions.
[0031] These computer readable 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.
These computer readable program instructions may also be stored in
a computer readable storage medium that can direct a computer, a
programmable data processing apparatus, and/or other devices to
function in a particular manner, such that the computer readable
storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises an
article of manufacture including instructions which implement
aspects of the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block
diagram block or blocks.
[0032] The computer readable program instructions may also be
loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing
apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps
to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or
other device to produce a computer implemented process, such that
the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable
apparatus, or other device implement the functions/acts specified
in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
[0033] 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 of the present invention. In this
regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent
a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprises one
or more executable instructions for implementing the specified
logical function(s). 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 carry out combinations
of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.
[0034] Finally, 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.
[0035] 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. 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.
[0036] Having thus described the invention of the present
application in detail and by reference to embodiments thereof, it
will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible
without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the
appended claims as follows:
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