Abstract:
The system receives an electronic communication, reviews the electronic communication to determine content of the electronic communication, applies rules to the content to determine a category associated with the electronic communication, wherein the rules relate to at least one of federal law, federal government regulations, state law, state government regulations, industry standards and administrative policies; and, stores the electronic communication based on the category.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 10/918,558, filed on Aug. 13, 2004, and entitled “METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ELECTRONIC ARCHIVAL AND RETRIEVAL OF ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS.” The &#39;558 application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/496,795, filed Aug. 21, 2003 with the same title, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present subject matter relates to archiving electronic communications. More specifically, the present subject matter relates to monitoring, capturing, archiving and retrieving electronic communications in an organization network or system. 
         [0003]    Archiving and retrieval of selected communications and/or documents, such as e-mail messages, to be in compliance with applicable regulations is known. For example, the securities and exchange commission (SEC), a governmental body involved in the regulation of securities, issues a variety of such archiving and retrieval regulations and requirements that organizations involved in the securities business must meet. Existing techniques often involve time consuming and labor intensive solutions that include the physical copying of communications or documents. Some archiving and retrieval methods and systems are entirely paper based where paper copies of all relevant communications and documents are physically copied and physically stored at a secure site. Subsequently, stored information is manually searched and accessed to satisfy authorized request for retrieval of stored information. 
         [0004]    Existing archiving and retrieval techniques involve manual and semi-automated copying and storage of electronic communications in an organization. For example, in an electronic-mail (e-mail) system in a securities organization, one existing and known archiving and retrieval technique involves both manual copying and storage of physical copies of communications to be archived. First, there is created a monthly archive storage tape back-up of all communications in e-mail servers in an organization location. The tapes containing the archived e-mails are then sent to a physical location for secure storage. Subsequently, an e-mail retrieval request is submitted for processing through a designated office or department of the organization, for example the law department. Upon approval of the request, the appropriate storage tapes are requested from the storage location and loaded to an available server. Selected e-mail messages stored on the loaded tape can then be retrieved and reviewed by a responsible or designated office, department or individual. 
         [0005]    Existing communications archiving and retrieval systems and processes typically require extensive manual and physical copying of the information to be archived. The reliance on physical duplication and physical transport of information to be archived to and from a secure location makes existing archiving and retrieval systems time consuming, inefficient and expensive. The archiving and retrieval of the information is cumbersome since individuals must physically duplicate information for archiving and search for and physically retrieved stored information after an authorized request. 
         [0006]    Further, existing archiving and retrieval systems and techniques that employ computers are typically limited to computerized networks with a small number of e-mail users and limited data storage requirements. Also, existing archiving and retrieval systems and techniques often experience drawbacks in large scale systems with a large number of communications and e-mail boxes and high data storage requirements. The drawbacks include slower and unreliable archiving and retrieval of the electronic communications, insufficient data storage space and the loss of data integrity. 
         [0007]    There is thus a need for a system and method for archiving and retrieving communications in a large organization or an organization with a large volume of communications to be archived which enables the organization to effectively comply with applicable regulations relating to the business conducted by the organization. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    There is provided a method and system for archival and retrieval of communications and related documents that uses hardware and software to selectively monitor, capture, catalog and retrieve electronic communications and documents relating to the business of employees or individuals of the organization and which allows the organization to effectively comply with applicable regulations, such as governmental regulations relating to the storage of such communications and documents. Archived electronic communications and information are stored in a third party computer storage medium and accessible by authorized individuals using a secure network connection, such as an intranet web interface, or an online intranet browser connection which enables a user to immediately search and retrieve selected archived data and information. The system and method for archiving and retrieving communications is advantageously implemented in an organization with a large volume of electronic communications. 
         [0009]    There is provided a system for archiving and retrieving electronic communications having a first computer having an e-mail application and a web browser application; an e-mail server in communication with the first computer, the e-mail server adapted to enable creation of an electronic communication having a first data format and an automatic copy of the electronic communication; a message relay system in communication with the e-mail server, the message relay system adapted to receive the copy of the electronic communication and convert the copy of the electronic communication between the first data format and a second data format; an archiving server in communication with the message relay system, the archiving server adapted to receive the copy of the electronic communication in the second data format transmitted from the message relay system; and the archiving server adapted to index and store the copy of the electronic communication in an associated storage means. The stored electronic communication is retrievable by an authorized user via a secure network connection, such as a secure intranet web site, web interface or online connection over private communication links. Also, in one aspect of the system, the message relay system is adapted to buffer the copy of the electronic communication until confirmation is received that the electronic communication has been received at the archiving server, and is adapted to capture and store error messages generated when the copy of the electronic communication is undeliverable to the archiving server. 
         [0010]    There is also provided a method for securely retrieving archived electronic communications from an archiving system. The method includes the steps of initiating a request for retrieval of a selected archived electronic communication, determining whether the request meets a first approval criteria. If the request does not meet the first approval criteria, then the request is denied. If the request does meet the first approval criteria, a next step includes determining whether the request meets a second approval criteria. If the request does not meet the second approval criteria, then the request is denied. If the request meets the second approval criteria, a next step is executing the request to access and retrieve the selected electronic communication from the archiving system storage medium. In an alternate aspect, before executing the request to access and retrieve the selected electronic communication from the storage medium, determining whether to process an audit service request and, after approval of the audit service request, delivering the retrieved selected archived electronic communication to a designated individual. The method can also comprise storing a denied request in a local storage medium and generating a status notice for the request. 
         [0011]    It is an objective to provide an archival and retrieval method and system to effectively capture, archive and retrieve electronic communications in a large scale computing environment. 
         [0012]    It is also another objective to provide an archival and retrieval method and system, having a message relay system, to efficiently and reliably archive and retrieve electronic communications. 
         [0013]    It is another objective to provide an archival and retrieval method and system that archives and retrieves electronic communications and documents in an environment having a large number of e-mail users and a large volume of e-mail communications. 
         [0014]    It is further an objective to provide an archival and retrieval method and system that enables an organization to comply with governmental regulations requiring the archiving and retrieval of electronic communications relating to the business of employees and/or other designated individuals in an organizations. 
         [0015]    It is an objective to provide an archival and retrieval method and system that uses a message relay system to enable the monitoring, capturing, cataloging and retrieval of electronic communications. 
         [0016]    It is an objective to provide an archival and retrieval method and system that will minimize or avoid penalties resulting from inadequate and mandatory record keeping requirements of communications relating to regulated securities. 
         [0017]    It is an objective to provide an archival and retrieval method and system adapted to effectively capture error messages related to the archiving of electronic communications at a central location or message relay system. 
         [0018]    It is still another objective to provide archival of all incoming and outgoing e-mail communications for a defined period of time. 
         [0019]    It is also an objective to provide a retrieval method and system for archived communications that ensure controlled access via a secure website to the archived communications by authorized and/or designated individuals. 
         [0020]    It is an objective to provide a retrieval method and system for archived communications that enables authorized and designated individuals to execute the retrieval process, including at least a requester, an approver, and a retriever. 
         [0021]    It is yet another objective to provide a retrieval method for archived communications having defined roles and responsibilities to assure information and access security. 
         [0022]    It is still another objective to provide a retrieval method and system for archived communications having defined roles and responsibilities that serve as points of control in retrieval method to insure that access and retrieval of e-mail communication and information meets legal standards and regulations. 
         [0023]    It is a further objective to provide a retrieval method and system for archived communications to permit an organization to quickly and easily respond to a request for an email or other electronic record by a regulatory or governmental agency, such as the securities and exchange commission (SEC). 
         [0024]    Additional objects, benefits, advantages and novel features of the subject matter will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following and the accompanying drawings or may be learned by practice, production or operation of the subject matter. The objects and advantages of the concepts and subject matter may be realized and attained by means of the methodologies, instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0025]    The drawings and figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present concepts and subject matter; by way of example only, not by way of limitation. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements. The description may be better understood when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, of which: 
           [0026]      FIG. 1  illustrates a system and application flow of an archival and retrieval system for electronic communications according to one aspect of the present subject matter; and 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  illustrates a process for retrieval of electronic communications from a third party storage location according to one aspect of the present subject matter. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0028]      FIG. 1  illustrates an archival and retrieval system  100  that can be implemented to monitor, capture, archive, and retrieve electronic communications, messages, and/or documents. In one aspect, all archived electronic communications and information are stored in an accessible computer storage medium in an archiving system that permits authorized individuals to access, search and retrieve archived data and information using a secure network connection, such as an intranet web interface, or other online intranet browser connection. 
         [0029]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the archiving and retrieval system  100  has one or more organization networks  15 ,  25  and  35  inter-connecting end user computers or machines  10 ,  20  and  30 , e-mail servers  13 ,  23 ,  33  and corresponding regional hub servers  17 ,  27  and  37 . Those ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the organization networks  15 ,  25  and  35  can be local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN) or other known types of networks. The system  100  has an internet gateway or server  40  that enables communications outside of the organization via an internet  45  communications link  41  that enables e-mails to be transmitted to or received from an external e-mail recipient. The system  100  also includes, in one embodiment, a message relay system or complex  50 , a router  51  and private or dedicated communications links  53  to enable copies of e-mails or electronic communications to be transmitted to and received from an external vendor or third party archiving system  55  where the electronic communications are indexed, stored and archived in a selected data storage facility or medium  60 . Communication between components and devices may be conducted through a plurality of communication links  11 ,  16 ,  18 ,  19 ,  26 ,  41  and  53  which enable bi-directionally transmission of data and information. The communication links  41  and  53  may be public or private and secure communications links as required in the system  100 . 
         [0030]    The archiving and retrieval system  100  has at least one network  15 ,  25  and  35  where a plurality of end users  10 ,  20  and  30  are connected to associated e-mail servers  13 ,  23  and  33  that enable an end user to create, send and receive e-mails using an e-mail application. In one aspect, the e-mail servers  13 ,  23  and  33  can be Domino Lotus Notes e-mail servers or other e-mail servers known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The e-mail servers  13 ,  23 ,  33  are in communication with a corresponding regional hub server  17 ,  27 , and  37  that manages electronic communications traffic, e.g., e-mails that arrive or exit at the regional hub server  17 ,  27  and  37 . 
         [0031]    The e-mail servers  13 ,  23  and  33  may include one or more dedicated e-mail copy software or applications that enable the capture or copying and transmission of all or selected electronic communications, i.e., e-mails, to the regional hub servers  17 ,  27  and  37 . The e-mail copy software or application can be created specifically to execute the capture and copy aspect or can be provided by a third party vendor for loading on the Lotus Notes e-mail server  13 ,  23 , and  33  as will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art. Further, the capture, copy and sending of the electronic communications may be carried out as a background function or process that is transparent to the end user  10 ,  20  and  30 . A path  18  of the captured messages or communications in the system  100  is shown in  FIG. 1  as a dotted or broken line. In one specific example, the captured electronic communications can relate to securities and securities related communications of a member, broker, dealer, employee, contractor or advisor of the financial services organization. Those of skill in the art will readily recognize that the captured communication may relate to any subject matter selected by the organization. 
         [0032]    The regional hub servers  17 ,  27  and  37  can be responsible for managing and directing the electronic communications received from the e-mail servers  13 ,  23 ,  33  to an external location from regional networks  15 ,  25  and  35  in the system  100 , and vice versa. The regional hub servers  17 ,  27  and  37  can also manage and direct any captured electronic communications received from the e-mail servers  13 ,  23 ,  33  and forward to the message relay complex  50  in the electronic archival and retrieval system  100  for subsequent transmission and archiving in the external vendor or third party system  55 . The regional hub servers  17 ,  27 ,  37 , shown in  FIG. 1 , can be responsible for electronic communications traffic for a physical location or region, e.g., Minneapolis, Minn., and can also communicate with another network regional hub server in another location, e.g., in Phoenix, Ariz., though a direct communication link  16  or  26 , the internet gateway  40  or with the message relay complex  50 . In the system  100  of  FIG. 1 , each regional hub server  17 ,  27  and  37  has similar functional capabilities. For example, electronic communications arriving at the internet gateway or servers  40  from the regional hub servers  17 ,  27  and  37  can be transmitted via an associated communications link  41  and the internet  45  to a delivery or intended destination. Conversely, electronic communications arriving at the internet gateway or servers  40  from the internet  45  can be transmitted to a regional hub server  17 ,  27  or  37  for delivery to an intended internal destination or end user  10 ,  20  or  30 . 
         [0033]    Alternatively, the regional hub servers  17 ,  27  and  37  can have one or more dedicated software applications that enable the capture or copying and transmission of all or selected electronic communications, i.e., e-mails, for forwarding to the message relay complex  50  in the electronic archival and retrieval system  100  for subsequent transmission to and archiving in an external vendor or third party system  55  storage location  60 . The capture, copying and transmission of e-mails can be done automatically, i.e., without specific sender or recipient instructions to do so for each e-mail, without-the e-mail sender or recipient being aware the process is occurring. 
         [0034]    The message relay complex  50  receives electronic communications, such as e-mail messages, previously captured and copied by the one or more e-mail servers  13 ,  23 ,  33  or regional hub  17 ,  27 ,  37  servers. The message relay complex  50  may be an interface between the source organization and the archiving or destination computer system  55 , which can include a wide area network (WAN)  54  with e-mail receiving and archiving servers, as well as the data storage or repository medium  60 . The message relay complex  50  is responsible for transmitting the captured electronic communications to the external archiving system  55  or network  54 . In this manner, the message relay complex  50  reduces the load on the e-mail servers  13 ,  23 , and  33  and regional hub servers  17 ,  27  and  37  used in the system  100  by being responsible for forwarding messages or captured communications to the archiving system  55 . Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the archiving system  55  can be a physically external system and can be provided by a third party vendor. 
         [0035]    The message relay complex  50  may enable the translation or conversion of captured electronic communications between a first format and a second format of the destination and archiving system  55 . For example, the message relay complex  50  may convert or translate the captured e-mails from a Lotus Notes format to the native simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP) mail format at the archive system  55 . This enables the translating or converting of formats to be carried out outside the normal e-mail delivery stream and outside the lotus notes system  17 ,  27  and  37  where the e-mail message originated. Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that other formats can be used where desired or required by the originating and archiving organization. This capability reduces the load and required functions in the lotus notes system  17 ,  27  and  37  where the e-mail message originated. The message relay complex  50 , as a separate facility, thereby improves the reliability of the e-mail system in the originating system and minimizes the impact of the translation or conversion aspect on the originating e-mail system. 
         [0036]    The message relay complex  50  also serves as a storage means or medium for captured a-mails in transit to the destination or archiving system  55 . The message relay complex  50  includes local internal or external data storage capacity for the storage of electronic communications. The message relay complex  50  storage can be used for storage of e-mail messages normally in the course of transmission to or from the archiving system  55  or can be used in the event of loss of communication between the originating system or arching system  55 , or in the event that the archiving system is unavailable. The message relay complex  50  can also store the e-mail messages until confirmation is received that the transmitted a-mails have been received at the archiving system  55 . The message relay complex  50  can be adapted to store the e-mails messages for a preset time period, e.g., five (5) hours or days, or until a defined condition is met, e.g., confirmation that the e-mail has been received 
         [0037]    In the event of delivery or transmission failure of electronic communications to the archiving system  55 , the message relay complex  50  can store and accumulate undelivered e-mail messages while reliable communications are restored and thereby eliminate or minimize the loss of the captured e-mails. The message relay complex- 50  can buffer or pool the electronic communications in local storage until service is restored. In this manner, the message relay complex  50  prevents data loss of undeliverable messages or communications which cannot be transmitted due to the loss of a communications link or the archiving system network  54  being offline and unable to accept transmissions. The message relay complex  50  can store all undeliverable electronic communications and messages until they are re-transmitted and received at the third party archiving system  55 . This aspect of the message relay complex  50  enables one hundred percent (100%) delivery of electronic communications and messages to the designated third party archiving system  55 . The message relay complex  50  thereby provides increased fault or error tolerance and improved reliability in the archiving of electronic communications. 
         [0038]    The message relay complex  50  also serves as a central capture point for receiving, capturing, storing and addressing error messages generated when a e-mail message or electronic communication is undeliverable to or not receivable from the archiving system  55 . For example, the message relay complex  50  can be adapted to capture and store error messages generated when problems are encountered in the e-mail format conversion process, in the delivery of captured e-mails to the archiving system  55 , or the retrieval of archived e-mail messages from the archiving system  55 . 
         [0039]    The capture of error messages by the message relay complex  50  may be transparent to the end user so that the end user does not encounter error messages relating to error in archiving or retrieving electronic communications. This aspect effectively and advantageously removes the end user  10 ,  20  and  30  or mailbox owner from the error message collection and archiving process. Also, the message relay complex  50  may provide a convenient centralized location for a system administrator to access and review captured error messages for determination of necessary corrective action. 
         [0040]    The message relay complex  50  may include multiple components and devices that execute software packages or applications for carrying out the specific or defined functions, task and capabilities described above. Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that applications or software can be added to the components and devices to carry out other functions and capabilities. The message relay complex  50  also includes internal or external storage capacity associated with and accessible by the message relay complex components. 
         [0041]    In one example of the present subject matter, the message relay complex  50  includes three types of devices or components: a standard e-mail server having an e-mail application, a LINUX based e-mail server, and a load balancing computer. The standard e-mail server can be a standard NT based Intel architectured server that runs a Lotus Notes Domino e-mail application. The message relay complex  50  can have multiple standard e-mail servers for redundancy. The number of standard e-mail servers can vary to meet the traffic of electronic communications received, translated, and transmitted. Further, each standard e-mail server in the message relay complex  50  may include a translation or conversion software package or application that enables electronic communications to be converted from the Lotus Notes e-mail format to a simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP), and vice versa. 
         [0042]    In an archiving mode, the message relay complex&#39;s  50  standard e-mail server receives a captured e-mail from the regional servers  17 ,  27  and  37 , convert the e-mail from the first format, e.g., a Lotus Notes format, to the second format, e.g., an SMPT format, for subsequent forwarding of the converted message to the message relay complex&#39;s LINUX based e-mail server. In the retrieval mode, the message relay complex&#39;s standard e-mail server receives the retrieved e-mail from the message relay complex&#39;s LINUX based e-mail server and converts the e-mail message from a second format, e.g., SMPT, back to a first format, e.g., Lotus Notes, for forwarding of the converted message to the appropriate regional servers  17 ,  27  and  37 . 
         [0043]    The message relay complex&#39;s  50  LINUX based mail server can be a typical LINUX based server with standard applications that enable the LINUX based server to communicate with the archiving system  55  for the delivery of captured e-mails or for the retrieval of previously archived electronic communications. The LINUX based mail server executes e-mail and other applications that enable it to receive and transmit electronic communications, i.e., e-mails, in a second format, e.g., SMTP, that is compatible with the applications and platforms being used at the archiving system  55 . The consistency or compatibility of the format of the LINUX based mail server and the archiving system  55  permits the message relay complex  50  to efficiently and reliably facilitate communications between the originating system and the archiving system  55 . Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the message relay complex  50  can also have multiple LINUX based mail server for redundancy and that the number of server can vary to meet the demand and traffic of transmitted or received electronic communications. 
         [0044]    The message relay complex  50  further includes one or more load balancing computers or systems which contain applications that dynamically route traffic of electronic communications arriving at the message relay complex  50  to a most available standard e-mail server and/or LINUX based mail server which can then carry out appropriate actions or functions on the electronic communication. Further, the load balancing computers or systems can route incoming electronic communications around busy or offline servers to other available servers in the message relay complex  50  thereby augmenting the reliability and efficiency of the message relay complex  50 . 
         [0045]    The archival and retrieval system  100  can selectively monitor, capture, catalog and retrieve electronic communications and documents relating to the business of selected employees or individuals in an organization. Electronic communications can include e-mail communications and associated or attached documents, instant messaging communications, etc. In one case, the archival and retrieval system  100  can be implemented in a financial services organization network where government regulations require the archiving and retrieval of electronic communications and transactions relating to securities and securities related communications of a broker, dealer, employee, contractor or advisor. 
         [0046]    Further, the archival and retrieval system  100  of  FIG. 1  can be implemented in an organization with a large volume of electronic mailboxes and high volume data storage requirements. The system  100  architecture also improves and ensures data integrity of the electronic communications. In one aspect, the archival and retrieval system  100  operates in a networked environment having about 125,000 electronic mailboxes and a data storage volume of about 46 Tbytes/year to 100 Tbytes/year. The archival and retrieval system  100  enables the immediate capture of a large volume of e-mails and other electronic communications on a real-time basis, and facilitates the secure storage of that data and information for varying time periods, e.g., months, years, etc. Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the system  100  can also be implemented in other environments in organizations where a smaller or larger volume of electronic communications is generated. 
         [0047]    In one aspect of operation, an electronic communication or e-mail is created by an end user  10 ,  20  and  30  via an e-mail application running on a Lotus Notes Domino server. The created e-mail will have a first format that corresponds to the Lotus Notes server  13 ,  23  and  33 . When the end user completes the e-mail, the send button is actuated for transmission of the e-mail through the internet  45 , e.g., from sender A to receiver B, where receiver B may be outside the organization&#39;s system  100 . When the e-mail is sent, the e-mail copy software or application on the e-mail server  13 ,  23  and  33  makes a copy the sent e-mail. The capture of the electronic communication or e-mail can be automatic and carried out as a background task making the capture transparent to the user  10 ,  20 ,  30 . The captured e-mail is then forwarded to the regional hub servers  17 ,  27  and  37  for forwarding to the message relay complex  50 , as illustrated by the dotted line in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0048]    The message relay complex  50 , in one embodiment, translates or converts the captured e-mail to an archiving system compatible format, and transmits the converted e-mail to the archival system  55 . In the archiving mode, the message relay complex&#39;s  50  standard e-mail server receives the captured e-mail, which has a first format corresponding to the Lotus Notes server  13 ,  23 , and  33 . The message relay complex&#39;s  50  standard e-mail server translates or converts captured e-mail from the first Lotus Notes format to a second format that is compatible with the archiving system  55 . In one case, the second format is SMTP, though other formats may be used. The transmission of the converted e-mail to the archiving system  55  can use a transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP) such as simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP), however, other known protocols may instead be used. Also, the transmission of the e-mail to the archiving system  55  by the message relay complex  50  may be performed over a secure private network and private communications lines connecting the sending system and the destination archiving system  55 . The converted or translated e-mail message is then forwarded to the message relay complex&#39;s LINUX based e-mail send server which can transmit the converted e-mail to the archival system  55  for archiving and storing the electronic communications. 
         [0049]    When the transmitted and formatted e-mail message or electronic communication is received at the archiving system  55 , the e-mail message is indexed, archived and stored for subsequent authorized searching and retrieval. The e-mail message may be digitally signed, stored and archived to the appropriate system storage media  60 . In one aspect, archived electronic communications can be stored in a database and associated database management service. Electronic messages are indexed, and can also be replicated with copies sent to another location for added redundancy. Stored electronic communications, messages and related materials can be indexed by, and may be retrieved by, one or more of the following criteria, among other criteria: Sender (including forwarded e-mail); Recipient (including forwarded e-mail); Other recipients, including carbon copied and blind carbon copied (including forwarded e-mail); Special Field (as specified in the RFC 822 definition) defined by the customer; Lotus Notes items, defined by the customer; Subject; Message body content (including forwarded e-mail); Attachment name, file extension name, and attachment content; and/or Date Range. 
         [0050]    Data and information can subsequently be accessed and retrieved in response to search requests submitted by an authorized user for retrieval of selected electronic communications or documents. Authorized individuals may connect to the archiving system  55  via a secure intranet connection using a dedicated intranet web interface or browser connection that enables immediately search and retrieval of desired data and information. Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that retrieval can also be implemented using an internet connection and web-service or web interface and an online browser connection, though such a connection may need added security features due to increased risk of exposure and unauthorized access on the internet. 
         [0051]    Retrieval of previously captured and archived electronic communications is permitted by authorized users. The archival and retrieval system  100  permits rapid and convenient retrieval of selected data and information by authorized individuals using a standard web browser application running on the user&#39;s machine or personal computer (PC) via an intranet communications link. In one embodiment, retrieval of archived communications may be performed over a secure network connection and private communication data links. 
         [0052]    In one aspect of operation, retrieval of archived a-mails is carried out using an end user machine  10 ,  20  and  30 . A user opens a browser application on the user machine and enters a predetermined URL address, which connects the end user to a designated intranet website associated with the archiving system  55  that permits authorized user access. The user enters a user ID and password. Once the archiving system  55  has verified and authenticated the user, and/or the user machine, a secure web session is established, such as a secure socket layer (SSL) based sessions. Those of skill in the art will readily recognize that communications over the secure web session can use one or more of known communications protocols, including among others, transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP), hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), and file transfer protocol (FTP). 
         [0053]    After securely accessing the archiving system  54 , the user is permitted to enter access and query the archived electronic communications in the archiving system storage location  60 . The user can then enter search criteria for searching and retrieval of designated records or e-mails, e.g., all e-mails created by “user A in January 2003”. The archiving system  55 , in response to the authorized search requests, searches the system storage location and retrieves the found electronic communications, e-mail or documents. The search results can then be transmitted to the user in a new search results e-mail message that contains the found electronic communications, e-mail or documents. 
         [0054]    In one aspect, the search results e-mail message is transmitted from the archiving system  55  to the message relay complex  50  via secure and private communication links  53 . The message relay complex  50 , in one embodiment, forwards the received search results e-mail message to the regional hub server  17 ,  27  and  37  that corresponds to the end user  10 ,  20  and  30  or other designated individual e-mail account that is to receive the search results. The regional hub server  17 ,  27  and  37  then forwards the received search results e-mail message to the corresponding e-mail server  13 ,  23  and  33  connected to the end user  10 ,  20  and  30  or designated e-mail account that is to receive the search results. The search results e-mail message can then be opened by an authorized user. 
         [0055]    Additionally, in one aspect, the search results e-mail message received at the message relay complex  50  will have a format that corresponds to the archiving system  55 , e.g., the SMTP second format discussed previously. In this case, the message relay complex&#39;s LINUX based e-mail server forwards the received search results e-mail message to the message relay complex&#39;s standard e-mail server. The message relay complex&#39;s standard e-mail server then converts the search results e-mail message from the second format, i.e., SMPT, to a first format, e.g., a Lotus Notes format, that is compatible with the destination e-mail server  13 ,  23 , and  33 . The message relay complex&#39;s standard e-mail server then forwards the converted search results e-mail message to the appropriate regional hub server  17 ,  27  and  37 . The regional hub server  17 ,  27  and  37  then forwards the now converted search results e-mail message to the corresponding Lotus Notes server  13 ,  23  and  33  connected to the end user  10 ,  20  and  30  or designated e-mail account. The retrieved search results e-mail message can then be opened by an authorized user. 
         [0056]    The archival and retrieval system  100  having the message relay complex  50  of the present subject matter provides a variety of advantageous capabilities, including among others: Automatic capture of all e-mail messages to and from an e-mail application, e.g., Lotus Notes; Restrict email capture to designated people or groups of people; Capture encrypted e-mail application messages, both sent and received; Capture copy protected e-mail application messages, both sent and received; Contain error messages to a central component, e.g., the message relay complex  50 ; Support at least 125,000 mailboxes; Support forty-six (46) Tbytes/year of storage expandable to one hundred (100) Tbytes/year; Preserve records in a non-erasable, non-rewriteable format; Provide a control mechanism to verify the quality and accuracy of the storage media; Serialize the units of storage media; Include time-date stamp required for period of retention; Provide the capability and capacity to readily download indexes and records; Separately store a duplicate copy of records; capability to define, configure and modify retention periods; Delete data and pointers/indexes to data; Support NASD Regulations 3010 &amp; 3110; Establish multi-level security access; Restrict “anonymous retrieval”; Support a minimum of 128 Bit encryption of content store; Permit the access and download of stored records; and the capability to search and retrieve records by content of message, content of subject line, keywords, sender (from), receiver (to), CC, BCC, date sent, content of attachment and type of message through a web-based user interface by one or more users or organization compliance user 
         [0057]      FIG. 2  shows a flow diagram illustrating a retrieval process  200  for retrieval of archived electronic communications in the archival and retrieval system  100  of  FIG. 1  from a designated storage medium, e.g., storage medium  60 , according to one aspect of the present subject matter. Roles and responsibilities may be defined in order to provide additional security and ensure that only designated and authorized individuals can request and access archived communications and materials. The roles and responsibilities can serve as points of control to insure that the access to e-mail communication and information meets legal standards and regulations promulgated by an authoritative organization or governmental agency, e.g., the securities and exchange commission (SEC). In one case, the roles and responsibilities in the retrieval process can be defined as: an initiator  210 , a requestor  220 , an approver  230 , a retriever  240  and a receiver  250 . Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that more or less roles may be used in the retrieval process  200 . For example, in another case, the roles and responsibilities in the retrieval process can be defined as: a requestor  220 , an approver  230 , and a retriever  240 . 
         [0058]    In one aspect, the initiator  210  can be an individual, such as a manager in the organization, that is permitted to initiate a formal request for retrieval of an archived e-mail or other electronic communication by partially or completely filling out an E-Mail Retrieval Request Form  205 . The information submitted or fields completed by the initiator  205  can include: Date Request Initiated, Reason for Request, Parameters of Request, the name of the Receiver(s)  250  who can or should receive the retrieval results and any Initiator  210  notes or instructions. The initiator  210  is also responsible for forwarding the request form  205  to a requestor  220 . 
         [0059]    The requestor  220  is responsible for reviewing the request  205  and either approves, denies or cancels the request  205 . The requestor  220  receives the e-mail retrieval request form  205  from the initiator  210  and fills in appropriate fields relevant to the request form  205 . The requesters  220  then performs the initial approval determination for the retrieval request form  205  and any due diligence and examination required in applicable department or organization procedures and guidelines. 
         [0060]    The requestor  220  can be selected and assigned by a department or organization to review requests forms  205  for retrieval of archived e-mail communications. The requester  220  may determine whether or not to approve the request  205  based on a set of pre-existing or pre-defined approval guidelines. The requester  220  may be continuously available to the initiator  210  to act on any request form  205  submitted. Also, in one aspect, the requestor  220  has primary responsibility for moving the request  205  through the approval process  200  and forwarding the request  205  on to the approver  230  as quickly as possible. 
         [0061]    A requestor  220  can review the request  205  or can reassign the request  205  to another requestor. Depending on the reasons for a request  205 , a request  205  may be assigned to a specific requestor  220  within a group of requestors  220  so that a designated and appropriate requestor  220  reviews the request  205 . For example, if there is suspicion of fraud, the request  205  can be routed to a requester  220  representing the fraud department in the organization. The requestor  220  can also delegate the decision making on a request  205  but retains responsibility for approvals made in their name. 
         [0062]    The assigned requester  220  reviews the request  205  and either approves, denies or cancels the request  205 . In reviewing the request  205 , the requester  220  determines whether the request  205  complies with applicable department criteria or guidelines for approval. Approval criteria may vary or be specific to departments in an organization. For example, the approval criteria may be different for organization departments such as legal, compliance and fraud, etc. Also, approval may be dependent on meeting one or more of the outlined department criteria as pre-determined by the organization. Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the approval criteria may be the same or different for each department in the organization in order to meet any specific need for a particular department. 
         [0063]    In one aspect, the criteria for approval for an e-mail retrieval request  205  may be outlined as follows for the following departments: Legal—The request must be related to an active, pending or threatened legal matter; Employee Law—The request must be related to an active, pending or potential employee matter; Risk Mitigation—a) Has the advisor moved to the competition?, b) Does the advisor leaving have more than 10M in assets?, c) Does the advisor who is leaving have more than 100 clients? and d) Is the advisor who is leaving from California and P2?; Compliance—a) Surveillance criteria—Potential or open client complaint, regulatory request, internal inquiry, or internal or external investigation and b) Potential suspicious activity of a client and/or advisor, or a regulatory request; Fraud—The request must pertain to a report of an active investigation or the alleged activity of an employee engaged in misconduct, which may be criminal in nature; and Employee Relations—The request must be related to an active employee matter being handled in Employee Relations. 
         [0064]    If the request  205  is cancelled or denied, it cannot be processed further and is stored  260  for record keeping purposes. If the request  205  is approved, the requestor  220  is then responsible for delivering the request form  205  to an approver  230 . The approver  230  can be in the same or different department as the requestor  220 . 
         [0065]    The approver  230  is responsible for reviewing the request  205  and either approves, denies or cancels the request  205 . The approver  220  receives the request form  205  from the requester and fills in the request form  205  fields with relevant and appropriate information. The approver  230  reviews the request  205  and makes a determination whether the request  205  complies with applicable department or organization criteria or guidelines for approval. For example, applicable department criteria, such as those described above. 
         [0066]    In one aspect, the approver  230  can also be responsible for contacting and notifying a compliance security officer (CSO), not shown, whether any requestor  220  or retriever  240  in their area or department of responsibility has been terminated, has moved on to another organization or has change duties. Such a communication with a CSO permits the organization to maintain a controlled and limited access to archived communications. If such an individual has moved or changed duties, their authorization and access is immediately revoked by the CSO. 
         [0067]    In one aspect, where communication with a compliance security officer (CSO) is an option, the CSO may have the following responsibilities in an archival retrieval process  200 , among other duties. The CSO can be the point of communication for security questions; Administer all access to the archival and retrieval system  100 ; Authorize/deny access to the archival and retrieval system  100 ; Retriever of lost passwords; Reviewer of invalid login attempts; Oversee assignment of roles and necessary access; Oversee assignment/maintenance of roles in Lotus Notes Retrieval Request Database for requesters  220 , approvers  230 , auditors and retrievers  240 ; Determine appropriate access options for all users of the archival and retrieval system  100 ; Maintain a master list of all audit services request (ASR) forms sent the third party storage system  54 ; Report monthly on completion time of requests against standards; Give approval on destruction of data in the third party storage system  54  once the data has passed its retention period; 
         [0068]    Apply holds on data not to be destroyed and manage the process to log hold requests and ensure data is held; Be the primary owner of a relationship with the third party storage system  54 ; Monitor the request process and modify as needed; Monitor that requests  205  are completing their life cycle in appropriate timeframes; Compare requests to requests denied; and technical support of a request database. 
         [0069]    An approver  230  may be predetermined and assigned by department to review e-mail retrieval request form  205  forwarded to them by specific or designated requesters  220 . The approver  230  may be continuously available to the requestor  220  to act on any request forms  205  forwarded by the requestor  220 . A request  205  may be assigned to a specific approver  230  within a group or the organization. If an assigned or responsible approver  230  is unavailable, for example, due to illness, out of the office, etc., the approver  220  may select or contact any one of a number of authorized approvers  230 . An emergency or back-up approver can review the request  205  and either approve, deny or cancel the request  205  based on whether the approval criteria or guidelines for an applicable department are met, such as the department criteria outlined above which may be available to all approvers  230 . 
         [0070]    The approver  230  can review a request  205  or can reassign the request  205  to another approver in the organization. The approver  230  can also delegate the decision making on a request  205  to another approver. However, the approver  230  retains responsibility for approvals made in their name. The assigned approver  230  reviews the request  205  and either approves, denies or cancels the request  205 . In reviewing the request  205 , the approver  230  determines whether the request  205  complies with applicable department criteria or guidelines for approval. If the request  205  is cancelled or denied, it cannot be processed further and is stored  260  for record keeping purposes. If the request  205  is approved, the approver  230  is then responsible for, delivering the request form  205  to a retriever  240 . 
         [0071]    The retriever  240  is responsible for reviewing the request  205  and executing the search. The retriever  240  receives the e-mail retrieval request form  205  and fills in any necessary or relevant information on the request form  205 . The retriever  240  is assigned or selected by the organization to review the e-mail retrieval request form  205  forwarded to them by the approver  230 . The number of retrievers  240  may be limited to ensure that access to the stored electronic communications and e-mails is limited to a finite number of retrievers  240  in order to maintain or increase the security of the store e-mails. For example, the number of retrievers  240  in an organization may be limited to a group of 5-10 people or other selected number of select individuals. For a particular request  205 , the assigned retriever  240  reviews the request  205  or can reassign the request  205  to another retriever in the organization or retriever group. In an embodiment of the archiving and retrieval system  100 , the retriever  240  cannot delegate the retrieval function or share their passwords with anyone else. 
         [0072]    The assigned retriever  240  will review the request  205 , and execute the search. The retriever  240  executes the approved request for retrieval of electronic communications, e-mails or documents. The retriever  240  can execute a search of archived e-mails using a query function that will search data and information stored on the external or third party storage medium  60  to fulfill the approved request  205 . In addition, the system can maintains a record of individuals who have logged-on, of connected sessions and of search queries, so that activity on the system can be tracked, stored and correlated to a specific search requests  205 . The retriever  240  will then deliver the retrieval results to a designated person(s) or a receiver  250  indicated on the request form  205 . 
         [0073]    In another aspect, before executing a search for the received request  205 , the retriever  240  can first determine whether he/she has the capacity or capability to fulfill the received request  205 . For example, the retriever  240  can consider whether or not they can fulfill the request  205 , whether the request  205  is too large or whether the request will result in a large volume of e-mails. If the retriever  240  determines that the request  205  is too large and complex, and/or will result in a large volume of e-mails, the retriever  240  may determine that they cannot execute the request  205  with their present capabilities. If this is the case, the retriever  240  may decide that the best course of action is to process an audit services request (ASR) due to the complexity of the search, the complexity of the data, and/or the large volume of e-mails that may be returned. 
         [0074]    In such a case, the retriever  240  can submit and process an ASR to an archiving system administrator that can process and execute the request  205 . The retriever  240  records the date and time the ASR was submitted. The retriever  240  may maintain overall responsibility of the search request  205 . The retriever will follow and monitor the ASR and maintain control of the retrieval process. The retriever  240  may be the main contact person for the out-sourced search request, and any questions or issues that may arise during the search are addressed by the retriever  240 . The retriever  240  receives the search results from the third party system administrator and is responsible for forwarding the results to the receiver  250  or other designated individual. The retriever  240  may receive the e-mail search results at an e-mail account, e.g., retriever)@aexp.com, or to another designated delivery location or medium. The retriever  240  will receive the retrieved e-mail request results, records the date and time they were received, and records the date and time the search results were delivered to the receiver  250 . At that point the request is fulfilled. 
         [0075]    In one embodiment, the audit services request (ASR) can be processed as follows: 1) the retriever  240  fills out an ASR form using the information on the request  205 ; 2) the retriever  240  transmits, e.g., via fax, the ASR to the third party system  55 , and may follow up with a phone call to verify receipt of the request and to discuss the urgency of the search request; 3) the third party system  55  e-mails the retriever  240  a confirmation the request was received and provides a tracking service for the request. The retriever  240  can record this on the request  204  in a database; 4) the third party system  55  sends the retriever  240  an e-mail with an estimate of the processing cost of the ASR; 5) the retriever  240  can attach the ASR cost estimate of costs to the request  205 . The retriever  240  can then forward the ASR cost estimate e-mail to the approver  230  who approved the request  205 , asking for an e-mail verifying their approval of the expenditure; 6) the approver  230  can return the retriever&#39;s  240  e-mail with a statement for approval or denial of the expenditure; 7) The retriever  240  can then attach the response to the request  205  keep a record with the Request; 8) the retriever  240  can then transmit a copy of the approver&#39;s  230  e-mail and with a copy of the cost to the third party system  55 ; and 9) The retriever  240  can also call the third party system  55  to let them know of the approver&#39;s  230  decision. 
         [0076]    If the ASR was approved: a) the retriever  240  can record the “Retrieval Requested” date, time and notes in the request  205 ; b) the approval email can also be sent to the compliance security officer (CSO) or their designee for verification against future invoices; c) Upon receipt of the approval of the work estimate, the third party system  55  can schedule the work based on the current workload and queue of scheduled audits, then provides the retriever  240  with a “Results Delivery Date”; d) the third party system  55  can send an e-mail to the retriever  240  with delivery details and the retriever  240  can update the request tracking information; e) the third party system  55  can call the retriever  240  and give the pass phrase for the encrypted information sent and send instructions on how to read the encrypted information; and f) the retriever  240  can also track delivery of the encrypted information. 
         [0077]    If the approver  230  does not approve the ASR, the retriever  240  can contact the requestor  220  and discuss changes in the parameters of the e-mail retrieval request  205 . They can then either choose to repeat the process with a modified ASR, or the retriever  240  can cancel the request  205 , making notes as to the reason for the cancellation. 
         [0078]    The receiver  250  may be the same or different individual than the person who initiated, i.e., the initiator  210 , the original request for retrieval of electronic communications, e.g., e-mails. In one aspect, the receiver  250 , may instead be designated as an Actual Requestor. The receiver  250  or actual requestor can be responsible for ensuring that the retrieved e-mail is protected and secure, and destroyed on a designated destruction date. The receiver  250  is aware of the destruction date for the e-mail and for seeing that the email is destroyed by that date. In one case, the destruction date for e-mails is three (3) years from the date the e-mail was created, i.e., the original “Sent Date”. If the e-mail is under a Hold Order, the destruction date may be different. Destruction of the e-mail can include all media where the e-mail might be stored, e.g., paper, Lotus Notes machines, word documents, CDs, DVDs, diskettes, etc. 
         [0079]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a flow diagram of a retrieval process  200  for requesting, approving and retrieving archived electronic communications from an archiving system  55  storage medium  60  is shown. The retrieval process  200  enables an organization to quickly and easily respond to a request for e-mail or other electronic records by a regulatory or governmental agency, such as the securities and exchange commission. The retrieval process establishes a formal procedure to request and approve the extraction of e-mail records and communications from storage archives  60 . 
         [0080]    In step, S 5 , the initiator  210  initiates a request  205  for retrieval of an archived e-mail or other electronic communication. The request can be initiated, for example, by partially or completely filling out a retrieval request form  205  and forwarding the request form  205  to a requester  220 . In some cases, the request  205  may be related to an active, pending or threatened legal matter. 
         [0081]    In step S 10 , the requestor  220  receives the request  205  and fills in any appropriate fields relevant to the requestor  220 . 
         [0082]    In step S 15 , the requestor  220  reviews the request  205  and will either approve the request  205  or deny and cancel the request  205 . In reviewing the request  205 , the requester  220  can consult a first set of applicable department criteria or guidelines to make an approval determination. 
         [0083]    In step S 20 , if the retrieval request  205  is denied and cancelled, the request form  205  will not be processed further and is stored for record keeping purposes. The cancelled or denied request form  205  can be stored on in organization&#39;s data storage medium  260  or other accessible storage medium. Also, the initiator  210  is notified that the request  205  is denied and cancelled. 
         [0084]    In step S 25 , if the retrieval request  205  is approved, the request  205  is sent to an approver  230 . In step S 30 , the approver  230  receives the retrieval request  205  and then fills in relevant and appropriate information related to the approver  230 . 
         [0085]    In step S 35 , the approver  230  reviews the request  205  and will approve or deny and cancel the request  205 . In reviewing the request  205 , the approver  230  can consult a second set of applicable department criteria or guidelines to make an approval determination. Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the first and second set of criteria or guidelines may have similar, identical or different content depending on the needs of the organization. 
         [0086]    In step S 40 , if the retrieval request  205  is denied and cancelled, the request form  205  will not be processed further and is stored for record keeping purposes. The cancelled or denied request form  205  can be stored on in organization&#39;s data storage medium  260  or other accessible storage medium. The requestor  220  is notified that the request  205  is denied and cancelled. 
         [0087]    In step S 45 , if the retrieval request  205  is approved, the request  205  is sent to a retriever  240 . In step S 50 , the retriever  240  receives the e-mail retrieval request form  205  and fills in relevant and appropriate information related to the retriever  240 . 
         [0088]    In step S 55 , the retriever  240  reviews the request  205  and executes the search request  205 . Additionally, in one aspect, the retriever  240  also determines whether it has the capacity or capability to fulfill the received request  205 . The retriever  240  can consider whether the search result set may be too large, e.g., more than 2,500 e-mails, whether the query is very complex or the data is complex. If the retriever  240  determines that the request  205  is too large and complex, and will/or result in a large volume of e-mails, the retriever  240  may decide to request and process an audit search request (ASR). 
         [0089]    In step S 60 , if the retrieval request  205  is executed, the retriever  240  queries the storage location  60 . The requested electronic communications archived in the storage medium  60  are accessed, either directly or through an approved ASR, and retrieved. In step S 65 , the retriever  240  delivers the retrieved electronic communication results to a designated person or receiver  250  indicated on the request form  205 . 
         [0090]    In one aspect of this process  200 , a time constraint or time limit may be imposed that requires a fixed time period for completion of the retrieval process from the original request to the fulfillment of the request, e.g., retrieval process may not to exceed 24 hours. Further, implementation of this retrieval process  200  permits monitoring and feedback about the archiving and retrieval system  100  that enables auditable feedback about itself  100 . For example, what requests have been made, what requests have been approved, what retrievals have been executed, whether all retrievals had matching approvals, etc. The archival and retrieval system  100  can also record all activity related to the creation, approval and fulfillment of the search and retrieval requests. 
         [0091]    Those of skill in the art will recognize that many of the functions and aspects of the system can be implemented on a computer or computers, which may be connected for data communication via components of a network. The hardware of such computer platforms typically is general purpose in nature, albeit with an appropriate network connection for communication via the intranet, the Internet and/or other data networks 
         [0092]    As known in the data processing and communications arts, each such general-purpose computer typically comprises a central processor, an internal communication bus, various types of memory (RAM, ROM, EEPROM, cache memory, etc.), disk drives or other code and data storage systems, and one or more network interface cards or ports for communication purposes. The computer system also may be coupled to a display and one or more user input devices (not shown) such as alphanumeric and other keys of a keyboard, a mouse, a trackball, etc. The display and user input element(s) together form a service-related user interface, for interactive control of the operation of the computer system. These user interface elements may be locally coupled to the computer system, for example in a workstation configuration, or the user interface elements may be remote from the computer and communicate therewith via a network. The elements of such a general-purpose computer system also may be combined with or built into routing elements or nodes of the network. 
         [0093]    The software functionalities (e.g., many of the operations described above) involve programming of controllers, including executable code as well as associated stored data. The software code is executable by the general-purpose computer that functions as the particular computer. In operation, the executable program code and possibly the associated data are stored within the general-purpose computer platform. At other times, however, the software may be stored at other locations and/or transported for loading into the appropriate general-purpose computer system. Hence, the embodiments involve one or more software products in the form of one or more modules of code carried by at least one machine-readable medium. Execution of such code by a processor of the computer platform enables the platform to implement the system or platform functions, in essentially the manner performed in the embodiments discussed and illustrated herein. 
         [0094]    As used herein, terms such as computer or machine readable medium refer to any medium that participates in providing instructions to a processor for execution. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical or magnetic disks, such as any of the storage devices in any computer(s). Volatile media include dynamic memory, such as main memory of such a computer platform. Physical transmission media include coaxial cables; copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise a bus within a computer system. Carrier-wave transmission media can take the form of electric or electromagnetic signals, or acoustic or light waves such as those generated during radio frequency (RF) and infrared (IR) data communications. Common forms of computer-readable media therefore include, for example: a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, DVD, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, and EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave transporting data or instructions, cables or links transporting such a carrier wave, or any other medium from which a computer can read programming code and/or data. Many of these forms of computer readable media may be involved in carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions to a processor for execution. 
         [0095]    While the foregoing has described what are considered to be the best mode and/or other examples, it is understood that various modifications may be made therein and that the technology disclosed herein may be implemented in various forms and examples, and that they may be applied in numerous applications, only some of which have been described herein. Those skilled in that art will recognize that the disclosed aspects may be altered or amended without departing from the true spirit and scope of the subject matter. It is intended by the following claims to claim any and all modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the advantageous concepts disclosed herein.