Abstract:
System and method facilitating group discussion of a body of information, wherein the general population of the group can comment on the information, and wherein a sample of the population rates the comments of the general population. This can reduce the disproportional effects of a highly mobilized faction on a deliberative process. According to some aspects, a second rating can be provided by members of the general population. This can be used to communicate or quantify the effects of disproportionate mobilization. Optionally, comments can be moderated to reduce the information burden on the deliberation due to excessive low-quality commenting. Expert comments can also be incorporated to better inform the general population on a topic, facilitating a more efficient process. The system and method may be implemented as an interactive web forum or debate.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This patent application claims the benefit of, under Title 35, United States Code, Section 119(e), U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/460,112, filed Dec. 27, 2010, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to systems and methods for decision-making, and more specifically to a system and method for deliberative decision-making incorporating ratings by a random sample. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Examples of group decision making can be found in all areas of society. In general, one might expect decisions made by a group to be more effective, due to the leveraging of synergies among the group members. However, there are situations where the effectiveness of group decision making is compromised. 
         [0004]    Group decision making can take place in the context of a simple in-person debate, or via online interactive venues such as e-mail, online forums, collaboratively edited documents, and so forth. More advanced forms of group decision making incorporate mechanisms for encouraging informed decision making, such as Deliberative Polling, and similar techniques. 
         [0005]    However, these forms of deliberation can suffer from biasing effects which can arise due to the disproportional mobilization of a small faction among a population. 
         [0006]    For example, in an online crowd-sourced forum, when everyone is invited to rate comments, the results are vulnerable to manipulation by a highly mobilized, marginal group. An example: when the GOP sought to consult Americans about their suggestions for policies nationally, one of the top rated suggestions in America Speaking Out was that the United States should replace the military with the Monty Python Knights of the Holy Grail. Obviously the process was gamed by pranksters. 
         [0007]    Clearly, this approach suffers from the possibility that the contributions of a small but highly mobilized faction within a population can have a disproportionate impact on the decision making process by hijacking the debate from portions of the population having legitimate views but lower mobilization. A process that can be manipulated just with mobilized voting is not one that can be trusted. 
         [0008]    It is therefore desired to provide a system and method for online discussion and decision making that mitigates the skewing effect of highly mobilized groups. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a system and method facilitating group discussion of a body of information, wherein the general population of the group can comment on the information, and wherein a sample of the population rates the comments of the general population. 
         [0010]    It is another object of the invention to provide a system and method facilitating group discussion of a body of information, wherein the general population of the group can comment on the information, wherein experts can comment on the information, and wherein a sample of the population rates the comments of the general population, reducing the effects of disproportionate mobilization and facilitating ideation, i.e., the generation of new ideas which can be tested in further discussions, such as a Deliberative Poll. 
         [0011]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a system and method facilitating group discussion of a body of information, wherein the general population of the group can comment on the information, and wherein both the general population and a sample of the population can provide a rating of the comments of the general population, reducing the effects of disproportionate mobilization and facilitating ideation. 
         [0012]    It is yet another object of the invention to provide a system and method facilitating group discussion of a body of information, wherein the general population of the group can comment on the information, and wherein trained moderators moderate the comments, reducing the effects of disproportionate mobilization and facilitating ideation. 
         [0013]    These and other objectives are achieved by providing a method for reducing the impact of a disproportionally mobilized faction on a deliberative process by providing a server comprising a processor and connected to a communications network; providing information to a population, via software executing on the server, over the communications network; receiving comments relating to the information from members of the population, via software executing on the server, over the communications network; providing the comments to the population, via software executing on the server, over the communications network; identifying a sample of the population; receiving ratings of the comments from members of the sample, via software executing on the server, over the communications network; and, providing the ratings to the population, via software executing on the server, over the communications network. 
         [0014]    In some embodiments, the ratings are priority ratings, and/or may relate to the relevance or quality of the comments. In some embodiments, the sample is a randomized sample, and generating the sample may be performed via software executing on the server. The communications network may be the internet, and information, comments, and ratings may be provided to and received from the population, sample, experts, moderators, and others using an interactive webpage. The information may be a document, for example, containing various proposals, and optionally arguments for and against the proposals. The comments may be related visually or otherwise to each proposal, argument, or other section of the document. 
         [0015]    Other objects of the present invention are achieved by providing a system for reducing the impact of a disproportionally mobilized faction on a deliberative process, having a computer communications network; a computing device having a processor, the computing device being connected to the computer network; information transmission software executing on the processor, providing information to a population, via the computer network; comments receiving software executing on the processor, receiving comments from members of the population relating to the information, via the computer network; sampling software executing on the processor, identifying a sample of the population; comments transmission software executing on the processor, transmitting the comments to the sample, via the computer network; ratings receiving software executing on the processor, receiving ratings of the comments by the sample, via the computer network; and, ratings transmission software executing on the processor, transmitting the ratings to the population, via the computer network. 
         [0016]    In some embodiments, comments are moderated prior to transmitting the comments to the sample. Experts may also provide comments relating to the information via the network, and a population rating may also be received and transmitted by the system. In other embodiments, comments and ratings are received and transmitted continuously in real time via a web interface during the deliberative process. In further embodiments, polling software may poll the population before and/or after the deliberative process. 
         [0017]    Other objects of the invention and its particular features and advantages will become more apparent from consideration of the following drawings and accompanying detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an example system according to aspects of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of another example system according to aspects of the invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a further example system according to aspects of the invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is an illustration of an example information and comment interface display according to aspects of the invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is an illustration of an example comment and rating interface display according to aspects of the invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram of an example method according to aspects of the invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is a block diagram of another example method according to aspects of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]      FIG. 1  illustrates an example system  100  according to aspects of the invention. 
         [0026]    System  100  includes a server  102  connected to a communications network  106 . Server  102  comprises one or more computing devices having at least one processor  104 , and one or more databases (not shown) embodied as hard disk drives, flash memory drives, storage arrays, or the like. The server  102  is accessible over a communications network  106 , such as the Internet, by one or more client computers (not shown). It will be understood by those having skill in the art that variations of this arrangement can be used to construct system  100 . 
         [0027]    Server  102  operates to provide access by a population  108  to information  110  using the one or more client computers (not shown), via network  106 . Information  110  may be any information that can be the subject of debate. In one illustrative example according to the invention, information  110  includes a briefing document which contains one or more proposals for debate, and may contain arguments in favor of or against these proposals. 
         [0028]    Information transmission software  112  executing on processor  104  operates to transmit the information  110  to the population  108  via network  106 . 
         [0029]    Comments receiving software  114  executing on processor  104  operates to receive comments  116  from members of the population  108  regarding information  110  via network  106 . Optionally, the comments  116  may pertain to the information  110 , and may be related to specific portions of the information through the operation of comments receiving software  116  or other software (not shown) executing on processor  104 . For example, a particular comment may be related to a particular proposal, or to a particular argument for or against a proposal, or may be addressed generally to the information or to portions or sections of the information  110 . 
         [0030]    Comments transmission software  118  executing on processor  104  operates to transmit comments  116  to all members of the population  108  via network  106 . 
         [0031]    Sampling software  120  executing on processor  104  operates to identify a sample  122  from among the population  108  via network  106 . Sample  122  is a subset of population  108  and may represent a randomized sample. Optionally, sample  122  is calculated using simple random sampling, or other suitable sampling methods known in the art. Alternatively, the sample may be identified manually, or through other means. 
         [0032]    Ratings receiving software  124  executing on processor  104  operates to receive ratings  126  from members of the sample  122  regarding comments  116  via network  106 . Optionally, ratings  126  assign a priority to one or more of the comments  116  and may relate to the relevance, credibility, or other qualities of a given comment. 
         [0033]    Ratings transmission software  128  executing on processor  104  operates to transmit the ratings  126  to the population  108  via network  106 . 
         [0034]    Using a randomized sample of a larger population to rate the commentary of the entire population in the manner of system  100  can have the advantage of allowing all members of the population to be heard in a debate, while keeping the representativeness of their views in perspective. 
         [0035]      FIG. 2  illustrates an example system  200  according to aspects of the invention. System  200  is similar to system  100 , except in that it incorporates comment moderation, as well as expert commenting. 
         [0036]    System  200  includes a server  202  connected to a computer communications network  206 . Server  202  comprises one or more computing devices having at least one processor  204 , and one or more databases (not shown) embodied as hard disk drives, flash memory drives, storage arrays, and the like. The server  202  is accessible over a communications network  206 , such as the internet, by one or more client computers (not shown). It will be understood by those having skill in the art that variations of this arrangement can be used to construct system  200 . 
         [0037]    Server  202  operates to provide access by a population  208  to information  210  using the one or more client computers (not shown), via network  206 . Information  210  may be any information that can be the subject of debate. In one illustrative example according to the invention, information  210  includes a briefing document which contains one or more proposals for debate, and may contain arguments in favor of or against these proposals. 
         [0038]    Information transmission software  212  executing on processor  204  operates to transmit the information  210  to the population  208  via network  206 . Optionally, information transmission software  212  also transmits the information  210  to experts  275 , who may be distinct from the population  208 . 
         [0039]    Comments receiving software  214  executing on processor  204  operates to receive comments  216  from members of the population  208  regarding information  210  via network  206 . Optionally, the comments  216  may pertain to the information  210 , and may be related to specific portions of the information through the operation of comments receiving software  214  or other software (not shown) executing on processor  204 . For example, a particular comment may be related to a particular proposal, or to a particular argument for or against a proposal, or may be addressed generally to the information or to portions or sections of the information  210 . Optionally, comments may also be received from experts  275 . 
         [0040]    Comments transmission software  218  executing on processor  204  operates to transmit comments  216  to moderators  250 , optionally via network  206 . The moderators may exclude or otherwise moderate the comments based on relevance, quality, or other factors, and moderated comments receiving software  252  executing on processor  204  operates to receive moderated comments  254  from moderators  250 , optionally via network  206 . 
         [0041]    Moderated comments transmission software  256  executing on processor  204  operates to transmit moderated comments  254  to all members of the population  208  via network  206 . 
         [0042]    Sampling software  220  executing on processor  204  operates to identify a sample  222  from among the population  208  via network  206 . Sample  222  is a subset of population  208  and may represent a randomized sample. Optionally, sample  222  is calculated using simple random sampling, or other suitable sampling methods known in the art. Alternatively, the sample may be identified manually, or through other means. 
         [0043]    Ratings receiving software  224  executing on processor  204  operates to receive ratings  226  from members of the sample  222  regarding moderated comments  254  via network  206 . Optionally, ratings  226  assign a priority to one or more of the moderated comments  254  and may relate to the relevance, credibility, or other qualities of a given comment. 
         [0044]    Ratings transmission software  228  executing on processor  204  operates to transmit the ratings  226  to the population  208  via network  206 . 
         [0045]    Filtering the commentary of the entire population through trained moderators in the manner of system  200  can have the advantage of enhancing the relevancy of the commentary and reducing the analysis burden on both the population and the sample, enhancing the effectiveness of debate. 
         [0046]    Providing commentary from experts in the manner of system  200  can have the advantage of increasing the knowledge base of the population, resulting in more informed decision making and more informed commentary on the information. 
         [0047]    Also, as in system  100 , using a randomized sample of a larger population to rate the commentary of the entire population in the manner of system  200  can have the advantage of allowing all members of the population to be heard in a debate, while keeping the representativeness of their views in perspective. 
         [0048]      FIG. 3  illustrates an example system  300  according to aspects of the invention. System  300  is similar to systems  100  and  200  above, except in that it incorporates comment rating by both the sample and the population, which may be represented separately. 
         [0049]    System  300  includes a server  302  connected to a computer communications network  306 . Server  302  comprises one or more computing devices having at least one processor  304 , and one or more databases (not shown) embodied as hard disk drives, flash memory drives, storage arrays, and the like. The server  302  is accessible over a communications network  306 , such as the internet, by one or more client computers (not shown). It will be understood by those having skill in the art that variations of this arrangement can be used to construct system  300 . 
         [0050]    Server  302  operates to provide access by a population  308  to information  310  using the one or more client computers (not shown), via network  306 . Information  310  may be any information that can be the subject of debate. In one illustrative example according to the invention, information  310  includes a briefing document which contains one or more proposals for debate, and may contain arguments in favor of or against these proposals. 
         [0051]    Information transmission software  312  executing on processor  304  operates to transmit the information  310  to the population  308  via network  306 . 
         [0052]    Comments receiving software  314  executing on processor  304  operates to receive comments  316  from members of the population  308  regarding information  310  via network  306 . Optionally, the comments  316  may pertain to the information  310 , and may be related to specific portions of the information through the operation of comments receiving software  316  or other software (not shown) executing on processor  304 . For example, a particular comment may be related to a particular proposal, or to a particular argument for or against a proposal, or may be addressed generally to the information or to portions or sections of the information  310 . 
         [0053]    Comments transmission software  318  executing on processor  304  operates to transmit comments  316  to all members of the population  308  via network  306 . 
         [0054]    Sampling software  320  executing on processor  304  operates to identify a sample  322  from among the population  308  via network  306 . Sample  322  is a subset of population  308  and may represent a randomized sample. Optionally, sample  322  is calculated using simple random sampling, or other suitable sampling methods known in the art. Alternatively, the sample may be identified manually, or through other means. 
         [0055]    Ratings receiving software  324  executing on processor  304  operates to receive sample ratings  326  from members of the sample  322  regarding comments  316  via network  306 . Optionally, sample ratings  326  assign a priority to one or more of the comments  316  and may relate to the relevance, credibility, or other qualities of a given comment. 
         [0056]    Ratings receiving software  324  may also operate to receive population ratings  350  from members of the population  308 . Optionally, population ratings  350  are similar to sample ratings  326 , assign a priority to one or more of the comments  316 , and may relate to the relevance, credibility, or other qualities of a given comment. 
         [0057]    Ratings transmission software  328  executing on processor  304  operates to transmit ratings  390  (which may include both sample ratings  326  and population ratings  350 ) to the population  308  via network  306 . Optionally, sample ratings  326  and population ratings  350  may be presented to the population separately. 
         [0058]    As in systems  100  and  200 , using a randomized sample of a larger population to rate the commentary of the entire population in the manner of system  200  can have the advantage of allowing all members of the population to be heard in a debate, while keeping the representativeness of their views in perspective. 
         [0059]    Further, presenting the ratings of both a randomized sample which has deliberated beforehand, as well as the entire population can have the advantage of enabling the population, as well as researchers, to evaluate the effects of increased mobilization on different threads of commentary on the information. 
         [0060]      FIG. 4  illustrates an example display  400  which may be received by a population according to aspects of the invention. In the example systems described with respect to  FIGS. 1-3 , various information as well as comments and ratings are transmitted to the population via a network. Members may receive this information, for example, via a client computer in communication with the network. Display  400  illustrates an example presentation of these various data as delivered to the population as delivered via a commenting interface. Information  405  may comprise for example, a briefing document containing various sections or paragraphs. Comment  410  is displayed and may pertain to the information  405  or portions of information  405 . Comment  410  may be related to specific portions of the information, for instance, through the use of a leader line  415  or other suitable indicator. 
         [0061]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged view of comment  410 , showing an example rating  500  associated with comment  410 . Rating  500  may assign a priority to one or more of the comments  216  and may relate to the relevance, credibility, or other qualities of a given comment. Rating  500  may have been provided by members of the population, or by members of a sample of the population, as further elaborated with respect to  FIGS. 1-3 . Optionally, more than one rating may be supplied (not shown) reflecting a separate rating from the sample and from the population as a whole, or from other suitable selected groups. 
         [0062]      FIG. 6  illustrates an example method  600  for reducing the impact of a disproportionally mobilized faction on a deliberative process according to aspects of the invention. 
         [0063]    In step  605 , a computer server is provided connected to a computer communications network. The computer server comprises a processor and storage media, which may be tangible, non-transient storage media, as well as software executing on the processor. A population can access the computer server via the computer communications network. Optionally, access is from one or more client computers, and can take place via an interactive web-interface. 
         [0064]    In step  610 , information is provided to the population via software executing on the server, over the communications network. In one illustrative example according to the invention, information includes a briefing document which contains one or more proposals for debate, and may contain arguments in favor of or against these proposals. 
         [0065]    In step  615 , comments relating to the information are received from members of the population, via software executing on the server, over the communications network. Optionally, the comments may pertain to the information, and may be related to specific portions of the information through the operation of comments receiving software or other software (not shown) executing on the server. For example, a particular comment may be related to a particular proposal, or to a particular argument for or against a proposal, or may be addressed generally to the information or to portions or sections of the information. 
         [0066]    In step  620 , a sample from among the population is identified. The sample is a subset of the population and may be a randomized sample such as a simple random sample, or other suitable sample known in the art. Optionally, the sample is identified via software executing on the server. 
         [0067]    In step  625 , the comments received from the members of the population are provided to all members of the population via software executing on the processor, over the communications network. 
         [0068]    In step  630 , members of the sample provide ratings of the comments which are received via software executing on the server over the network. The ratings may prioritize the comments, and may relate to the relevance, quality, or other aspects of the comments. 
         [0069]    In step  635 , the ratings provided by members of the sample are provided to all members of the population via software executing on the server, over the communications network. 
         [0070]      FIG. 7  illustrates another example method  700  for reducing the impact of a disproportionally mobilized faction on a deliberative process according to aspects of the invention. 
         [0071]    In step  705 , a computer server is provided connected to a computer communications network. The computer server comprises a processor and storage media, which may be tangible, non-transient storage media, as well as software executing on the processor. A population can access the computer server via the computer communications network. Optionally, access is from one or more client computers, and can take place via an interactive web-interface. 
         [0072]    In step  710 , a sample from among the population is identified. The sample is a subset of the population and may be a randomized sample such as a simple random sample, or other suitable sample known in the art. Optionally, the sample is identified via software executing on the server. 
         [0073]    In an optional step  715 , the population is polled on an issue. Polling can take place via software executing on the server, over the communications network. 
         [0074]    In step  720 , information is provided to the population via software executing on the server, over the communications network. In one illustrative example according to the invention, information includes a briefing document which contains one or more proposals for debate, and may contain arguments in favor of or against these proposals. 
         [0075]    In step  725 , comments relating to the information are received from members of the population, via software executing on the server, over the communications network. Optionally, the comments may pertain to the information, and may be related to specific portions of the information through the operation of comments receiving software or other software (not shown) executing on the server. For example, a particular comment may be related to a particular proposal, or to a particular argument for or against a proposal, or may be addressed generally to the information or to portions or sections of the information. 
         [0076]    In an optional step  730 , the comments are moderated. Moderators receive the comments from the server, optionally via the network. The moderators may exclude or otherwise moderate the comments based on relevance, quality, or other factors, and moderated comments receiving software executing on the server operates to receive moderated comments from the moderators, optionally via the network. 
         [0077]    In step  735 , the comments received from the members of the population are provided to all members of the population via software executing on the processor, over the communications network. 
         [0078]    In step  740 , members of the sample provide ratings of the comments which are received via software executing on the server over the network. The ratings may prioritize the comments, and may relate to the relevance, quality, or other aspects of the comments. 
         [0079]    In an optional step  745 , members of the population provide ratings of the comments which are received via software executing on the server over the network. The ratings may prioritize the comments, and may relate to the relevance, quality, or other aspects of the comments. 
         [0080]    In step  750 , the ratings are provided to all members of the population via software executing on the server, over the communications network. 
         [0081]    While the deliberative process is continuing  755 , the comments and ratings may be continually updated in real time for the duration of a deliberative process. 
         [0082]    In an optional step  760 , the population may be re-polled on the issue after the conclusion of the deliberative process. Polling can take place via software executing on the server, over the communications network. 
         [0083]    Aspects of the invention may be expressed by other deliberative processes that facilitate the legitimacy of decisions in a community. That community could be the employees of a corporation or government agency, the members of an association or a specific community of the mass public. Such processes include the combination of a Deliberative Poll (in-person or online, as further described below) and: 
         [0084]    (a) online discussion (that is refined and enlarged by the Deliberative Polling discussion) in the entire broader Community of Responsibility; 
         [0085]    (b) in-person or online discussion in the entire broader Community of Responsibility, where the Community of Responsibility is broken into small groups 
         [0086]    (c) process (a) followed by process (b) 
         [0087]    These processes may also include online discussion rated by a random sample in the entire broader Community of Responsibility; followed by in-person or online discussion in the entire broader Community of Responsibility, where the Community of Responsibility is broken into small groups. 
         [0088]    Such an example process may include a number of steps: 
         [0089]    The leadership of the company, government agency, society or association sponsoring the process will identify a topic for a Deliberative Society Implementation. The company, government agency, association or society will be referred to as the Community of Responsibility and that Community will identify a Population affected by or concerned with the results of the process. 
         [0090]    A Committee will be formed of individuals of diverse opinions. It is important that this be a balanced group consisting of different representative points of view. Typically, this committee is an advisory committee of “stakeholders.” 
         [0091]    The Committee will agree on the contents of a briefing document, supervising its contents for balance and accuracy. The briefing document will identify arguments in favor and against multiple concrete proposals for making changes in policy affecting the Community. Typically it will contain data, empirical assumptions, risks, advantages and disadvantages of each approach. 
         [0092]    A survey of close ended questions will be drafted that will identify initial opinions about different policy options. 
         [0093]    A scientific sample of the Population, large enough for the evaluation of its representativeness and opinion changes to be statistically meaningful, will be selected. 
         [0094]    The sample will be polled on the issues. 
         [0095]    Upon completing the survey, the random sample will receive the briefing materials prepared by the committee. 
         [0096]    Moderators will be trained for in-person discussions or for online discussions. 
         [0097]    Upon receipt of the briefing materials, the random sample will be brought together, either physically or in virtual space, to deliberate in small groups with trained moderators. They will discuss the issues and ask questions of experts, who will be brought in to discuss the goals and options. 
         [0098]    After one-and-a-half, three days, one week, one month or three months of deliberation (or some other specified period), the scientific sample will be polled again. Their level of opinion change will be quantified for an analysis component. 
         [0099]    These discussions may or may not be recorded on video and edited. 
         [0100]    If videos are created, they will be distributed along with the analysis of the poll results to all members of the Community of Responsibility. 
         [0101]    Specific comments from the video may be clipped for inclusion as comments in portions of the briefing materials prepared for the next stage of the deliberation. 
         [0102]    This content, including the videos, policy proposals and briefing materials, will be discussed online using the technology. 
         [0103]    Comments will be moderated by trained professionals. These moderators will be trained. 
         [0104]    Experts will respond to comments. They will be trained to do so factually. 
         [0105]    Comments will be rated by the random sample to prioritize them. This is important because it prevents any small, mobilized faction from manipulating the process by mobilizing disproportionate participation by that faction. 
         [0106]    The results of the sample&#39;s deliberations will be used to formulate revised proposals that will be sent to all members of the population online for discussion. 
         [0107]    These comments and the results of the sample&#39;s deliberations will then be used to prepare all members of the broader Community of Responsibility for small group discussions. These discussions open to participation by the entire Community of Responsibility and will be moderated by professionals who are trained for the process. These discussions can occur either in-person or in virtual space. 
         [0108]    The Population will continue to add comments, possibly in real-time during in-person discussions. 
         [0109]    These comments will be prioritized based on both the ratings from all Community of Responsibility members and the ratings from the random sample. 
         [0110]    The entire population will be organized to participate in small group discussions, with before and after questionnaires (similar to the first round with the scientific sample, but revised in light of the most recent results and discussions). The discussions in small groups will be moderated and they will include the possibility of questions to competing diverse experts 
         [0111]    At the end of the deliberations open to the entire population, the before and after poll results for that population will be analyzed and made available to the community for its decisions. 
         [0112]    Depending on the nature of the Community of Responsibility, decisions will likely be taken based on the results of this process, whether policies that will be passed internally if the entity is a corporation, professional standards in the case of a professional association, law or regulation in the case of a government. 
         [0113]    It will be understood by those having skill in the art that software may comprise a computer-readable medium having stored thereon sequences of instructions, the sequences of instructions including instructions, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a given action. 
         [0114]    Although the invention has been described with reference to a particular arrangement of parts, features and the like, these are not intended to exhaust all possible arrangements or features, and indeed many modifications and variations will be ascertainable to those of skill in the art.