APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR RECORDING A MAIL SCREENING PROCESS

Apparatus and system for recording mail screening process includes a casing having a base and a top housing mounted over the base in a spaced-apart relationship. The apparatus further includes a light generating assembly coupled with the top housing and configured to generate an inspection light beam and a first image sensor coupled with the top housing and configured to receive and detect the inspection light beam and configured to capture a first image of a mail item. The apparatus also includes a processing unit configured to perform a processing of the first image in order to identify a security threat and a display coupled with the casing and/or with the top housing and communicatively coupled with the processing unit to receive and display the processed first image. The apparatus also includes a second image sensor coupled with the top housing and configured to capture mail screening process.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to mail screening systems, and more specifically, to methods and systems for recording a mail screening process.

BACKGROUND

Mail screening is a technique which allows seeing through envelopes and parcels, enabling the detection of suspicious items such as powders or electrical circuits prior to opening the mail and exposing such content. Mail screening devices may use radiation in the long terahertz (THz) wavelengths, as the penetration depth of the THz radiation is long enough to see through envelopes and parcels.

There remains a need in the field to practically and efficiently screen mail, parcels or similar objects.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one aspect, there is provided a mail screening apparatus to perform the inspection of mail or similar objects. Terahertz inspection is used to localize potential suspicious areas by imaging the contents inside an envelope or parcel. The mail screening apparatus includes a first image sensor and a second image sensor, preferably allowing to record mail screening process.

One example implementation relates to a mail screening apparatus. One aspect of the apparatus includes a casing having a base and a top housing mounted over the base in a spaced-apart relationship. The mail screening apparatus further includes a light generating assembly coupled with the top housing and configured to generate an inspection light beam and a first image sensor coupled with the top housing and configured to receive and detect the inspection light beam and configured to capture a first image of a mail item. The mail screening apparatus also includes a processing unit configured to perform a processing of the first image in order to automatically identify a security threat and a display coupled with the casing and/or with the top housing and communicatively coupled with the processing unit to receive and display the processed first image. In addition, the mail screening apparatus includes a second image sensor coupled with the top housing and configured to capture screening of the mail item.

Additional advantages and novel features relating to implementations of the present disclosure will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will become more apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or upon learning by practice thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIGS.1and2, there is shown a mail screening apparatus100according to one aspect of the present disclosure. In the illustrated aspect the mail screening apparatus100advantageously combines metal detection and THz imaging to perform the inspection of the mail. The THz inspection aspect is used to obtain an image of the contents inside the envelope or parcel, to localize potential suspicious areas. The mail screening apparatus100may include an additional image sensor. This additional image sensor may be configured to record the mail screening process and the contents of the mail item.

It will be readily understood that variants of a mail screening apparatus such as described herein may be used for the screening of mail items of various types such as envelopes, parcels and the like.

Referring more particularly toFIG.1, in some aspects, the mail screening apparatus100is a stand-alone device incorporating all of the components described below in a single casing101. Preferably, the casing101includes a base102and a top housing104mounted over the base102in a spaced-apart relationship, for example, using frame members such as a pair of frame posts106. The free space between the base102and the top housing104defines a mail inspection bay108. The mail inspection bay108is preferably large enough to allow the inspected mail items to be handled within the bay. The top wall of the base102defines an inspection counter110on which a mail item can be placed for inspection. The inspection counter110is separated into one or more inspection zones. For illustrative purposes only,FIG.1shows two different inspection zones114and116. However, in various configurations, the mail screening apparatus100may include only one inspection zone (e.g., first inspection zone114) or more than two inspection zones114,116. The inspection counter110can support a mail item to be screened at any of the inspection zones114-116.

As explained further below, the inspection counter110allows light therethrough. An opening in the back central section of the base102, here defined by the free space between the frame posts106, allows for an optional conveyor belt (not shown).

As seen inFIG.1, a display112is preferably provided to allow a user to visualize the inspection results of a mail item positioned in one of the inspection zones114-116. The display112is preferably integrated in a front portion of the top housing104for easy viewing by a user positioned in front of the mail screening apparatus100. The display112may be embodied by a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screen, a touchscreen, etc. Optionally, the display112may be mounted on the top housing104so as to be pivotable along at least one axis, to adapt to the position of the user in front of the mail screening apparatus100. In some implementations, the display112may be omitted from the mail screening apparatus and a connection to a separate visualizing device may be provided instead, such as a monitor, television, computer or similar device that may be configured to display the contents of a scanned mail item.

In an aspect, the display112may include one or more buttons that users can press in response to detecting a potential security threat. For example, if the user ascertains that a mail item contains a weapon or suspicious powder, they may press a corresponding button on the display112. In an aspect, the display112may render a separate button for each of the following security threats: liquids, powder, weapons, explosives, radiation and suspect material detection. In one example, these buttons may comprise virtual buttons displayed on a touchscreen display112. In an alternative example, these buttons may comprise physical buttons on the display112. The aforementioned list of buttons is presented for illustrative purposes only, and is not meant to be a limitation of the present disclosure.

The mail screening apparatus100may also include a processing unit (not shown inFIG.1) that is configured to perform a processing of the first image in order to automatically identify a security threat. In an aspect, the processing unit may be configured to generate a notification in response to determining that the mail item contains the security threat. In other words if a security threat is detected in the examined mail item (such as a powder or a gun), in response, the processing unit may generate a corresponding event notification (as described below).

Referring toFIG.2, the mail screening apparatus100includes a light generating assembly200mounted in the top housing104and configured to generate an inspection light beam202and project the inspection light beam202towards the base102through the inspection zone112. In the illustrated aspect, the light generating assembly200includes a light source204mounted within the top housing104and emitting the inspection light beam202(referred to hereinbelow as the “light beam” for simplicity). In some aspects, the light source204may emit the light beam at an optical frequency in the terahertz range, for example at a frequency corresponding to a wavelength between 700 μm and 1075 μm. In some aspects, the optical frequency of the inspection light beam may correspond to a wavelength between 50 μm and 3 mm. It will be readily understood by one skilled in the art that the term “light source” is meant to encompass stand-alone devices as well as more complex optical assemblies or systems comprising a plurality of components cooperating together to provide the desired light beam. In other aspects, the light source may for example be a Schottky diode or a GaAs diode emitting radiation at a suitable wavelength.

Still referring toFIG.2, a light collecting assembly may further include a first image sensor206coupled with the top housing104and configured to receive and detect the inspection light beam202and configured to capture a first image of a mail item. The first image sensor206may comprise a 2D image sensor preferably sensitive in a suitable portion of the wavelength region spanning from 700 μm to 1075 μm and preferably with a resolution of at least 320×240 pixels. An example of a suitable image sensor is the one used in the IRXCAM-384THz camera module available from INO (Quebec, Canada), sensitive to the THz waveband. In an aspect, the first image sensor206may be used with two different focus settings—for example, to replace the two different inspection zones114,116, as described below.

Advantageously, the mail screening apparatus100as described above may be operable in either a “Normal” or a “Zoomed” mode. In the Normal mode, a mail item to be inspected is positioned in the primary inspection zone114, and the focus of the first image sensor206may be adjusted so that the image in the primary inspection zone114is in focus on the first image sensor206. The secondary inspection zone116is left free of any obstruction, so that the light beam reaching the first image sensor206provides images of the contents of the mail disposed in the primary inspection zone114. Similarly, in the Zoomed mode a piece of mail to be inspected is positioned in the secondary inspection zone116, the focus of the first image sensor206may be adjusted so that the image in the secondary inspection zone116is in focus on the first image sensor206. In this case the primary inspection zone114is left free of any obstruction.

In an aspect, the mail screening apparatus100may further include a second image sensor208, such as a video camera configured to provide an RGB (Red, Green, Blue) view. In an aspect, the second image sensor208may be physically mounted to the casing101of the mail screening apparatus100. The second image sensor208may be configured to record the mail screening process to determine how a mail item (piece of mail) was handled/scanned and what exactly was seen in the mail item. In other words, the second image sensor208may be used to provide enhanced situational awareness. For example, the second image sensor208may record names, mailing addresses and/or any additional information that can be found on the mail item being inspected. In other words, the second image sensor208may be configured to record a view of what users are seeing on the mail item, while the first image sensor206provides a view of the content of the same mail item. In an aspect, both views may be provided side by side to users of the security management system402(shown inFIG.4), enabling the ability for users of the security management system402to see both the scanning process and handing as well as the scan results in real time. This comprehensive automatic recording may enable later investigations of the screening process to ensure the screening process was performed as expected.

In an aspect, the processing unit of the mail screening apparatus100may be able to analyze the image provided by the first image sensor206in order to detect a security threat, such as, but not limited to liquids, powder, weapons, explosives, radiation and suspect material.

In an aspect, the processing unit of the mail screening apparatus100may be configured to exchange data and/or video feed (e.g., HDMI output) with a centralized video surveillance system (e.g., a security management system402shown inFIG.4). The video surveillance system may be used to keep watch over physical areas to assist in identifying events of interest. Such events, and associated data, can relate to maintaining safety and security, mitigating risk, increasing operational efficiency, preventing loss of products or revenue, gathering business intelligence, and a variety of other applications. For example, the mail screening apparatus100may use an Application Programming Interface (API) to access the video surveillance system.

FIG.3is an example of a schematic illustrating a mail screening system in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. InFIG.3, the mail screening system300may comprise the mail screening apparatus100described above communicatively coupled with a digital video processor (DVP)302. More specifically, one or more video inputs304may be communicatively coupled with the DVP302, and event notification outputs306that may be communicatively coupled directly or indirectly, for example through a network308such as, for example, the internet, wireless network, and the like to receive notification messages from the DVP302. The video inputs304may comprise the first image sensor206and the second image sensor208of the mail screening apparatus100.

The DVP302may comprise a digital video recorder, with built in or added encoder, having digital video processing circuitry or a digital video recorder combined with separate encoder and processor. The DVP302may comprise conventional digital video recording and processing hardware, configured with software for carrying out the functions disclosed here to receive frames of video output from one or more of the video inputs304, detect security threats and trigger a notification message if the security threat is detected. For example, the DVP302may comprise a video edge device, a laptop or a computer.

By way of example only, the DVP302may be able to or have the capacity to contain approximately 30 minutes of historic video and/or audio data and/or one or more snapshots. Various other aspects may comprise a storage capacity that may depend on business needs and may range anywhere between a month and multiple years of historic video and/or audio data, although a variety of other durations might apply under specific circumstances. In an aspect, the live video feeds may be received concurrently. In an aspect, two or more different video feeds may be combined by the DVP302for analytical purposes. In an aspect, the live video feeds may be uploaded to a particular server and/or the cloud. Advantageously, the historic video data may be used for user training purposes, for example.

The event notification outputs306may be integrated with other systems, such as, but not limited to building automation systems. The building automation systems may enable commercial Heating Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC), lighting, security and protection systems to communicate on a single platform.

In an aspect, the DVP302may be configured to process video output from one or more of the video inputs304, detect security threats independently of the user of the mail screening apparatus100, based on the video output, and trigger an alert message if any type of security threat is detected.

FIG.4is an example of a diagram illustrating integration of the mail screening apparatus with a security management system in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The event notification outputs306shown inFIG.3may be communicatively coupled directly or indirectly with a security management system402, such as, but not limited to, a video surveillance system. In an aspect, the security management system402may be integrated with other systems. In response to suspecting that the mail item examined by the mail screening apparatus100contains a security threat, the security management system402may automatically initiate a security response action404. As shown inFIG.4, the security response action404may include, but is not limited to, mass communication, HVAC shut-off, lockdown procedure, shelter in place procedure, law enforcement escalation, and the like. For example, in response to receiving the notification from the mail screening apparatus100indicating that a suspicious powder was detected inside the mail item, the security management system402may verify that the detected powder is suspicious and may communicate with the building automation system to initiate the security response action, such as, modify settings of a HVAC system (e.g., HVAC shut-off, reverse exhaust and the like). In various cases, users, such as mailroom operators401, may exercise their judgment to determine if the threat is real. In an aspect, the type of notification406sent by the mail screening apparatus100may depend on a button pressed by the user401during the screening process, as described above. Mass communication response may include, but is not limited to the security management system402sending an emergency alert notification to a warning system, as described below. In an aspect, the escalation procedure may include the security management system402sending an emergency notification to emergency medical providers, law enforcement departments, fire departments, and the like.

In an aspect, the security management system402and/or the DVP302may be configured to employ one or more event notification rules. The one or more event notification rules may be associated with specific security threats and may be predefined based on the environment in which the security management system402operates. An event notification rule associated with a specific security threat may specify a notification disable time. Applying one or more event notification rules may include determining one or more event notification rules applicable to a particular type of detected security threat. Each event notification rule, when applied, identifies one or more security response actions404to be triggered in response to the detected event. It should be noted that the security response actions404may include a variety of actions that may be configurable based on the environment in which the mail screening apparatus100is situated. These security response actions404may be performed based on a feedback from the user401of the mail screening apparatus100and/or the user of the security management system402. For example, particular security response action404may be cancelled based on a response from at least one of the aforementioned users. Performing security response action404based on feedback from one or more of the users may include resending the event notification406after a specified time interval when the feedback is a failure to respond to the event notification406. Performing security response action404based on feedback from one or more of the users may include identifying one or more additional security response actions404that need to be performed.

As another non-limiting example, in response to receiving the notification406identifying the detected security threat, the security management system402may modify room access control rules for the room where the mail screening apparatus100is situated. In an aspect, modifying the room access control rules may include selectively granting access to the room based on security credentials. The access permissions may be updated by the security management system402based on rules and thresholds that include as at least one variable presence or contextual information associated with a detected security threat. The presence of security threat may be analyzed to trigger a credential update process for a particular user or other users within the access control system. For example, if the security management system402processes the video feed408provided by the mail screening apparatus100and determines that the security threat is credible, the security management system402may update the access permissions to allow all people exit the room and only allow first responders to enter the room until the detected security threat is cleared, as part of the shelter in place and/or lockdown procedure.

As yet another non-limiting example, in response to receiving the notification406identifying the detected security threat, the security management system402may modify settings of one or more additional image capture devices (e.g., security cameras) mounted in the room where the mail screening apparatus100is situated. In certain exemplary aspects, security management system402may be configured to control the point/tilt/zoom (PTZ) function of these image capture devices. The security management system402may be configured to change the field of view of that particular image capture device. For example, the field of view may change from a narrow view (e.g., the exit door) to a wide view (e.g., view of the entire room), or may be zoomed in to have a better view of a particular person and/or mail item in the room, if the security threat is detected. The video feed408from these additional image capture devices may also be included as video inputs304shown inFIG.3.

FIG.5is an example of a flowchart illustrating a method500for recording a mail screening process, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.FIGS.1-4may be referenced in combination with the flowchart ofFIG.5. At steps502and504, the DVP302may receive one or more live video feeds from one or more cameras206-208.

More specifically, at step502, the DVP302may receive a live video feed and/or an image capturing a mail item from the first image sensor206. By way of example only, the DVP302may be able to or have the capacity to contain approximately 30 seconds of historic video and/or audio data and/or one or more snapshots. The first image sensor206may comprise a 2D image sensor preferably sensitive in a suitable portion of the wavelength region spanning from 700 μm to 1075 μm and preferably with a resolution of at least 320×240 pixels. As noted above, the mail screening apparatus100may be operable in either a “Normal” or a “Zoomed” mode. In the Normal mode, a mail item to be inspected is positioned in the primary inspection zone114, and the focus of the first image sensor206may be adjusted so that the image in the primary inspection zone114is in focus on the first image sensor206. The secondary inspection zone116is left free of any obstruction, so that the light beam reaching the first image sensor206provides images of the contents of the mail disposed in the primary inspection zone114. Similarly, in the Zoomed mode a mail item to be inspected is positioned in the secondary inspection zone116, the focus of the first image sensor206may be adjusted so that the image in the secondary inspection zone116is in focus on the first image sensor206. In this case the primary inspection zone114is left free of any obstruction.

At step504, the DVP302may receive a live video feed and/or an image capturing a mail item from the second image sensor208. The second image sensor208may be configured to record a mail screening process. For example, the second image sensor208may record names, mailing addresses and/or any additional information that can be found on the mail item being inspected. Recording performed by the second image sensor208may be used to identify points of origin of the mail piece. In other words, the second image sensor208may be configured to record what users are seeing on the piece of mail, while the first image sensor206provides a view of the content of the same mail item. The images or video feed received from the first image sensor206and the second image sensor208can be recorded in separate streams or combined into one stream, e.g., two different views. The first image sensor206and/or second image sensor208may add a further contextual tag, for example, based on the time information, which may be utilized to form a timestamp. Timestamp information may be used in correlation with the additional sensed information to distinguish an event from other events with similar actions. This comprehensive automatic recording may record information about the mail item being inspected and may enable later investigations of the screening process to make sure the screening process was performed as expected and to help with an investigation of the suspicious mail item(s).

At step506, the DVP302may utilize a video processing algorithm suitable for analyzing captured images in the one or more live video feeds to detect a security threat. For example, the DVP302may employ a previously trained Artificial Intelligence (AI) system. In an aspect, the DVP302may also receive event notification outputs306from the mail screening apparatus100. In an aspect, the event notification outputs306may be generated in response to the detection of a mail threat by the user401of the mail screening apparatus100. As noted above, the display112of the mail screening apparatus100may include one or more alert buttons that a user401may press in response to detecting a potential security threat. In an aspect, the display112may render a separate button for each of the following security threats: liquids, powder, weapons, explosives, radiation and suspect material detection. In some cases the DVP302may determine that an event notification406should be triggered (e.g., when mail security threat is detected), even though such event notification was not triggered by the mail screening apparatus100. The DVP302may determine that an event has occurred based on the combined one or more live video feeds received at least from the first image sensor206and the second image sensor208. For example, the DVP302may detect a threat that was missed by the user401of the mail screening apparatus100(such as a liquid or suspicious powder) and/or if the mail screening apparatus100operates in an automatic mode without an operator. In an aspect, final evaluation of the detected security threat may be performed by the user of the security management system402.

At step508, the DVP302may determine if the security threat is detected as described above. In response to detecting the security threat (step508, “yes” branch), the DVP302may generate an event notification406(step510). In various aspects, notifications406may be audible, visual, or both. The notification may also be rendered by different applications, such as computer applications, web-based cloud notifications, or smart phone applications (e.g. Android, iOS, etc.). In an aspect, the notification406may include at least one of: a text message, social media notification, phone call, voice mail, emails, and emergency alert notification to a warning system. In an aspect, the notification406may comprise an emergency alert notification to the security management system402. In various aspects, the warning system may include at least one of warning lights, warning speakers, and warning displays. In an aspect, the security management system402comprises a central broadcasting module, to which each of the monitoring systems is connected and which is capable of broadcasting an audio/video message corresponding to a detected warning condition (security threat).

If no security threat is detected (step508, “no” branch), the DVP302may return to step502.

In an aspect, after the notification is generated, at step510, a security response action may be initiated automatically. In an aspect, the security management system402and/or the DVP302may be configured to employ one or more event notification rules. The one or more event notification rules may be associated with specific security threats and may be predefined by the security personnel. Applying one or more event notification rules may include determining one or more event notification rules applicable to a particular type of detected security threat. Each event notification rule, when applied, identifies one or more security response actions404to be triggered in response to the detected event. One exemplary response action404may include modification of settings of the HVAC system, in response to detecting suspicious powder. As another non-limiting example, in response to receiving the notification406identifying the detected security threat, the security management system402may modify room access control rules for the room where the mail screening apparatus100is situated. In an aspect, modifying the room access control rules may include selectively granting access to the room based on security credentials.

In one aspect, the DVP302may be an edge device. In an aspect, the DVP302may generate a notification406only when a security threat is detected.

Advantageously, various aspects disclosed herein provide integration of the mail screening apparatus100with the overall security management system402. The disclosed system provides centralized detection and management of various security threats by different security applications and enables flexible coordination of customized security responses to various mail threats detected by the mail screening apparatus100.

In other words, a mail screening apparatus100includes a casing having a base and a top housing mounted over the base in a spaced-apart relationship and a light generating assembly coupled with the top housing and configured to generate an inspection light beam. The mail screening apparatus100may further include a first image sensor coupled with the top housing and configured to receive and detect the inspection light beam and configured to capture a first image of a mail item and a second image sensor coupled with the top housing and configured to capture screening of the mail item. The mail screening apparatus may also include a processing unit configured to perform a processing of the first image in order to automatically identify a security threat and a display coupled with the casing and/or with the top housing and communicatively coupled with the processing unit to receive and display the processed first image.

In one or any combination of these aspects, the base and the top housing define a mail inspection bay therebetween forming an inspection zone.

In one or any combination of these aspects, the optical frequency of the inspection light beam corresponds to a wavelength between 700 μm and 1075 μm.

In one or any combination of these aspects, the first image sensor has sensitivity ranging between 700 μm and 1075 μm.

In one or any combination of these aspects, the mail screening apparatus100is communicatively coupled to a video recording device. The first and second image sensors are configured to transmit the recorded screening to the video recording device.

In one or any combination of these aspects, the processing unit is configured to send a notification to the video recording device in response to identifying the security threat.

In one or any combination of these aspects, the video recording device is configured, in response to identifying the security threat, to send a notification to an external system communicatively coupled with the mail screening apparatus and the video recording device. The external system is configured to trigger a security response action.

In one or any combination of these aspects, the display is configured to render one or more alert buttons that users of the mail screening apparatus can press in response to detecting a potential security threat.

In one or any combination of these aspects, the one or more alert buttons may correspond to the following security threats: liquids, powder, weapons, explosives, radiation and suspect material detection.

Aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented using hardware, software, or a combination thereof and may be implemented in one or more computer systems or other processing systems. In one aspect, the disclosure is directed toward one or more computer systems capable of carrying out the functionality described herein.FIG.6is an example of a block diagram illustrating various hardware components and other features of a computer system that may operate the DVP302in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. Aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented using hardware, software, or a combination thereof and may be implemented in one or more computer systems or other processing systems. In one example variation, aspects of the disclosure are directed toward one or more computer systems capable of carrying out the functionality described herein. An example of such a computer system600is shown inFIG.6.

Computer system600includes one or more processors, such as processor604. The processor604is connected to a communication infrastructure606(e.g., a communications bus, cross-over bar, or network). Various software aspects are described in terms of this example computer system. After reading this description, it will become apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement aspects of the disclosure using other computer systems and/or architectures.

Processor604, or any other “processor,” as used herein, processes signals and performs general computing and arithmetic functions. Signals processed by the processor may include digital signals, data signals, computer instructions, processor instructions, messages, a bit, a bit stream, or other computing that may be received, transmitted and/or detected.

Communication infrastructure606, such as a bus (or any other use of “bus” herein), refers to an interconnected architecture that is operably connected to transfer data between computer components within a singular or multiple systems. The bus may be a memory bus, a memory controller, a peripheral bus, an external bus, a crossbar switch, and/or a local bus, among others. The bus may also be a bus that interconnects components inside a access control system using protocols, such as Controller Area network (CAN), Local Interconnect Network (LIN), Wiegand and Open Supervised Device Protocol (OSDP) among others.

Further, the connection between components of computer system600, or any other type of connection between computer-related components described herein can be referred to an operable connection, and can include a connection by which entities are operably connected, such that signals, physical communications, and/or logical communications can be sent and/or received. An operable connection can include a physical interface, a data interface and/or an electrical interface.

Computer system600can include a display interface602that forwards graphics, text, and other data from the communication infrastructure606(or from a frame buffer not shown) for display on a display unit630. Computer system600also includes a main memory608, preferably random access memory (RAM), and can also include a secondary memory610. The secondary memory610can include, for example, a hard disk drive612and/or a removable storage drive614, representing a floppy disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, an optical disk drive, etc. The removable storage drive614reads from and/or writes to a removable storage unit618in a well-known manner. Removable storage unit618, represents a floppy disk, magnetic tape, optical disk, etc., which is read by and written to removable storage drive614. As will be appreciated, the removable storage unit618includes a computer usable storage medium having stored therein computer software and/or data.

In alternative aspects, secondary memory610can include other similar devices for allowing computer programs or other instructions to be loaded into computer system600. Such devices can include, for example, a removable storage unit622and an interface620. Examples of such can include a program cartridge and cartridge interface (such as that found in video game devices), a removable memory chip (such as an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), or programmable read only memory (PROM)) and associated socket, and other removable storage units622and interfaces620, which allow software and data to be transferred from the removable storage unit622to computer system600.

It should be understood that a memory, as used herein can include volatile memory and/or non-volatile memory. Non-volatile memory can include, for example, ROM (read only memory), PROM (programmable read only memory), EPROM (erasable PROM) and EEPROM (electrically erasable PROM). Volatile memory can include, for example, RAM (random access memory), synchronous RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), and/or direct RAM bus RAM (DRRAM).

Computer system600can also include a communications interface624. Communications interface624allows software and data to be transferred between computer system600and external devices. Examples of communications interface624can include a modem, a network interface (such as an Ethernet card), a communications port, a Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) slot and card, etc. Software and data transferred via communications interface624are in the form of signals628, which can be electronic, electromagnetic, optical or other signals capable of being received by communications interface624. These signals628are provided to communications interface624via a communications path (e.g., channel)626. This path626carries signals628and can be implemented using wire or cable, fiber optics, a telephone line, a cellular link, a radio frequency (RF) link and/or other communications channels. In this document, the terms “computer program medium” and “computer usable medium” are used to refer generally to media such as a removable storage drive614, a hard disk installed in hard disk drive612, and signals628. These computer program products provide software to the computer system600. Aspects of the disclosure are directed to such computer program products.

Computer programs (also referred to as computer control logic) are stored in main memory608and/or secondary memory610. Computer programs can also be received via communications interface624. Such computer programs, when executed, enable the computer system600to perform various features in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, as discussed herein. In particular, the computer programs, when executed, enable the processor604to perform such features. Accordingly, such computer programs represent controllers of the computer system600.

In variations where aspects of the disclosure are implemented using software, the software can be stored in a computer program product and loaded into computer system600using removable storage drive614, hard drive612, or communications interface620. The control logic (software), when executed by the processor604, causes the processor604to perform the functions in accordance with aspects of the disclosure as described herein. In another variation, aspects are implemented primarily in hardware using, for example, hardware components, such as application specific integrated circuits (ASICs). Implementation of the hardware state machine so as to perform the functions described herein will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s).

In yet another example variation, aspects of the disclosure are implemented using a combination of both hardware and software.

The aspects of the disclosure discussed herein can also be described and implemented in the context of computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions. Computer-readable storage media includes computer storage media and communication media. For example, flash memory drives, digital versatile discs (DVDs), compact discs (CDs), floppy disks, and tape cassettes. Computer-readable storage media can include volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, modules or other data.