System and method for managing transactions in a digital marketplace

In various example embodiments, a system and method for managing transaction in a digital marketplace are provided. In example embodiments, a transaction request involving a digital good is received. A determination as to whether the transaction involves a purchase of the digital good is performed. Based on the transaction involving the purchase of the digital good, a further determination as to whether an overlap in inventory or a related item involving the digital good exists is performed. Based on the overlap in inventory existing, a sub-collection of the inventory is created with which to complete the transaction request. Based on existence of the related item, a combination package including the digital good and the related item is created and offered in response to the transaction request.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to transactions, and in a specific example embodiment, to managing transactions in a digital marketplace.

BACKGROUND

Conventionally, when users transact for digital goods, the user typically accesses different vendors to purchase the digital goods. The vendors may provide a digital license for access to the digital goods and may register the user as receiving the license. However, no further transactions involving the digital goods may be tracked or subsequent transfers of the digital licenses recorded.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, the term “or” may be construed in either an inclusive or exclusive sense. Additionally, although various example embodiments discussed below focus on a digital marketplace environment, the embodiments are given merely for clarity in disclosure. Thus, any type of electronic marketplace, publication, electronic commerce, social networking, or electronic business system and method, including various system architectures, may employ various embodiments of the content system and method described herein and may be considered as being within a scope of example embodiments. Each of a variety of example embodiments is discussed in detail below.

Example embodiments described herein provide systems and methods for managing transactions in a digital marketplace. In example embodiments, a transaction request involving a digital good is received. A determination as to whether the transaction involves a purchase of the digital good is performed. Based on the transaction involving the purchase of the digital good, a further determination as to whether an overlap in inventory or a related item involving the digital good exists is performed. Based on the overlap in inventory existing, a sub-collection of the inventory is created with which to complete the transaction request. In example embodiments, the sub-collection may comprise goods that do not overlap with inventory possessed by a user or goods that overlap with inventory possessed by a user which do not have licenses. The transaction request may be completed by facilitating a payment for the sub-collection.

Alternatively, based on existence of the related item, a combination package including the digital good and the related item is created and offered in response to the transaction request. The related item may comprise a different version or resolution of the digital good. A response from a user indicating whether the combination package is accepted is received. The transaction request for the combination package based on the user accepting the combination package is completed by facilitating payment for the combination package. Alternatively, the transaction request for the digital good based on the user not accepting the combination package is completed by facilitating payment for the digital good.

In further embodiments, a determination of whether the transaction is a request for currency exchange may be performed. Based on the transaction request being a request for currency exchange, an exchange rate is accessed and the transaction request is completed based on the exchange rate. In one embodiment, at least one currency being exchanged is a currency issued by a private entity (e.g., points or miles).

In another embodiment, the transaction request comprises a code for access to a digital version of an analog good in possession of a user. Accordingly, a determination as to whether the code is valid is performed. If the code is valid, then access to the digital version of the analog good is provided. However, if the code was previously used, a previous user of the code may be billed. Additionally, the code may be restored and access to the digital version of the analog good is provided to the user presently submitting the code.

By using embodiments of the present invention, a user will be provided efficient processing associated with digital goods transactions. Accordingly, one or more of the methodologies discussed herein may obviate a need for repeated processing to search for digital goods and complete a transaction for different digital goods from multiple different vendors or third parties, which may have the technical effect of reducing computing resources used by one or more devices within the system. Examples of such computing resources include, without limitation, processor cycles, network traffic, memory usage, storage space, and power consumption.

With reference toFIG. 1, an example embodiment of a high-level client-server-based network architecture100to enable personalization of search results is shown. A networked system102, in an example form of a network-server-side functionality, is coupled via a communication network104(e.g., the Internet, wireless network, cellular network, or a Wide Area Network (WAN)) to one or more client devices110and112.FIG. 1illustrates, for example, a web client106operating via a browser (e.g., such as the INTERNET EXPLORER® browser developed by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash. State), and a programmatic client108executing on respective client devices110and112.

The client devices110and112may comprise a mobile phone, desktop computer, laptop, or any other communication device that a user may utilize to access the networked system102. In some embodiments, the client device110may comprise a display module (not shown) to display information (e.g., in the form of user interfaces). In further embodiments, the client device110may comprise one or more of a touch screen, accelerometer, camera, microphone, and GPS device. The client devices110and112may be a device of a user, which is used to perform a transaction involving digital goods within the networked system102. In one embodiment, the networked system102is a network-based marketplace that manages digital goods, publishes publications comprising item listings of products available on the network-based marketplace, and manages payments for these marketplace transactions.

An Application Program Interface (API) server114and a web server116are coupled to, and provide programmatic and web interfaces respectively to, one or more application servers118. The application servers118host a publication system120and a payment system122, each of which may comprise one or more modules, applications, or engines, and each of which may be embodied as hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. The application servers118are, in turn, coupled to one or more database servers124facilitating access to one or more information storage repositories or database(s)126. In one embodiment, the databases126are storage devices that store information to be posted (e.g., publications or listings) to the publication system120. The databases126may also store digital goods information in accordance with example embodiments.

In example embodiments, the publication system120publishes content on a network (e.g., Internet). As such, the publication system120provides a number of publication and marketplace functions and services to users that access the networked system102. The publication system120is discussed in more detail in connection withFIG. 2. In example embodiments, the publication system120is discussed in terms of a marketplace environment. However, it is noted that the publication system120may be associated with a non-marketplace environment such as an informational (e.g., search engine) or social networking environment.

The payment system122provides a number of payment services and functions to users. The payment system122allows users to accumulate value (e.g., in a commercial currency, such as the U.S. dollar, or a proprietary currency, such as points, miles, or other forms of currency provide by a private entity) in their accounts, and then later to redeem the accumulated value for products (e.g., goods or services) that are made available via the publication system120or elsewhere on the network104. The payment system122also facilitates payments from a payment mechanism (e.g., a bank account, PayPal™, or credit card) for purchases of items via any type and form of a network-based marketplace.

While the publication system120and the payment system122are shown inFIG. 1to both form part of the networked system102, it will be appreciated that, in alternative embodiments, the payment system122may form part of a payment service that is separate and distinct from the networked system102. Additionally, while the example network architecture100ofFIG. 1employs a client-server architecture, a skilled artisan will recognize that the present disclosure is not limited to such an architecture. The example network architecture100can equally well find application in, for example, a distributed or peer-to-peer architecture system. The publication system120and payment system122may also be implemented as standalone systems or standalone software programs operating under separate hardware platforms, which do not necessarily have networking capabilities.

Referring now toFIG. 2, an example block diagram illustrating multiple components that, in one embodiment, are provided within the publication system120of the networked system is shown. In this embodiment, the publication system120is a marketplace system where items (e.g., goods or services) may be offered for sale. The items may comprise digital goods (e.g., currency, license rights). The publication system120may be hosted on dedicated or shared server machines (not shown) that are communicatively coupled to enable communications between the server machines. The multiple components themselves are communicatively coupled (e.g., via appropriate interfaces), either directly or indirectly, to each other and to various data sources, to allow information to be passed between the components or to allow the components to share and access common data. Furthermore, the components may access the one or more databases126via the one or more database servers124.

The publication system120provides a number of publishing, listing, and price-setting mechanisms whereby a seller may list (or publish information concerning) goods or services for sale, a buyer can express interest in or indicate a desire to purchase such goods or services, and a price can be set for a transaction pertaining to the goods or services. To this end, the publication system120may comprise at least one publication engine202and one or more auction engines204that support auction-format listing and price setting mechanisms (e.g., English, Dutch, Chinese, Double, Reverse auctions, etc.).

A pricing engine206supports various price listing formats. One such format is a fixed-price listing format (e.g., the traditional classified advertisement-type listing or a catalog listing). Another format comprises a buyout-type listing. Buyout-type listings (e.g., the Buy-It-Now (BIN) technology developed by eBay Inc., of San Jose, Calif.) may be offered in conjunction with auction-format listings and allow a buyer to purchase goods or services, which are also being offered for sale via an auction, for a fixed price that is typically higher than a starting price of an auction for an item.

A store engine208allows a seller to group listings within a “virtual” store, which may be branded and otherwise personalized by and for the seller. Such a virtual store may also offer promotions, incentives, and features that are specific and personalized to the seller. In one example, the seller may offer a plurality of items as Buy-It-Now items in the virtual store, offer a plurality of items for auction, or a combination of both.

A reputation engine210allows users that transact, utilizing the networked system102, to establish, build, and maintain reputations. These reputations may be made available and published to potential trading partners. Because the publication system120supports person-to-person trading between unknown entities, in accordance with one embodiment, users may otherwise have no history or other reference information whereby the trustworthiness and credibility of potential trading partners may be assessed. The reputation engine210allows a user, for example through feedback provided by one or more other transaction partners, to establish a reputation within the network-based marketplace over time. Other potential trading partners may then reference the reputation for purposes of assessing credibility and trustworthiness.

Navigation of the network-based marketplace may be facilitated by a navigation engine212. For example, a browse module (not shown) of the navigation engine212allows users to browse various category, catalog, or inventory data structures according to which listings may be classified within the publication system120. Various other navigation applications within the navigation engine212may be provided to supplement the browsing applications.

In order to make listings available via the networked system102as visually informing and attractive as possible, the publication system120may include an imaging engine214that enables users to upload images for inclusion within publications and to incorporate images within viewed listings. The imaging engine214may also receive image data from a user as a search query and utilize the image data to identify an item depicted or described by the image data.

A listing creation engine216allows users (e.g., sellers) to conveniently author listings of items. In one embodiment, the listings pertain to goods or services that a user (e.g., a seller) wishes to transact via the publication system120. In other embodiments, a user may create a listing that is an advertisement or other form of publication.

A listing management engine218allows the users to manage such listings. Specifically, where a particular user has authored or published a large number of listings, the management of such listings may present a challenge. The listing management engine218provides a number of features (e.g., auto-relisting, inventory level monitors, etc.) to assist the user in managing such listings.

A post-listing management engine220also assists users with a number of activities that typically occur post-listing. For example, upon completion of a transaction facilitated by the one or more auction engines204, a seller may wish to leave feedback regarding a particular buyer. To this end, the post-listing management engine220provides an interface to the reputation engine210allowing the seller to conveniently provide feedback regarding multiple buyers to the reputation engine210. Another post-listing action may be shipping of sold items whereby the post-listing management engine220may assist in printing shipping labels, estimating shipping costs, and suggesting shipping carriers.

A search engine222performs searches for publications in the networked system102that match a query. In example embodiments, the search engine222comprises a search module (not shown) that enables keyword searches of publications published via the publication system120. In a further embodiment, the search engine222may take an image received by the imaging engine214as an input for conducting a search. The search engine222takes the query input and determines a plurality of matches from the networked system102(e.g., publications stored in the database126). It is noted that the functions of the search engine222may be combined with the navigation engine212.

A digital goods management engine224manages transactions in the networked system102involving digital goods. Digital goods comprise any item that involves a digital element such as, for example, currency and digital rights involving movies, music, literary works, or other digital information. The digital goods management engine224will be discussed in more detail in connection withFIG. 3below.

Although the various components of the publication system120have been defined in terms of a variety of individual modules and engines, a skilled artisan will recognize that many of the items can be combined or organized in other ways and that not all modules or engines need to be present or implemented in accordance with example embodiments. Furthermore, not all components of the marketplace system120have been included inFIG. 2. In general, components, protocols, structures, and techniques not directly related to functions of exemplary embodiments (e.g., dispute resolution engine, loyalty promotion engine, personalization engines, etc.) have not been shown or discussed in detail. The description given herein simply provides a variety of exemplary embodiments to aid the reader in an understanding of the systems and methods used herein.

FIG. 3is a block diagram illustrating an example embodiment of the digital goods management engine224. The digital goods management engine224manages transactions involving digital goods. To that end, the digital goods management engine224comprises a determination module302, a package module304, a collection module306, a currency module308, and a digital access module310communicatively coupled together. One or more of the modules may be implemented in accordance with example embodiments.

The determination module302is configured to determine which digital goods operation to perform. Because the digital goods management engine224is capable of handling many different types of digital goods (e.g., digital rights, currency, digital information) and associated transactions, the determination module302determines the proper operation based on an analysis of a transaction request received from a user of the networked system102. For example, if the transaction request involves currency, then currency processing by the currency module308may be involved and the determination module302may forward the transaction request to the currency module308. Similarly, if the transaction involves a collection of digital goods, then the determination module302may forward the transaction to the collection module306for processing, while a transaction involving a purchase or licensing of a video or music (e.g., DVD, movie, CD) or other digital content (e.g., e-book, articles and subscription-based material, virtual goods) is forwarded to the package module304. Furthermore, if the transaction involves an access request for a digital version of an analog good, the determination module302forwards the transaction request to the digital access module310. Each of these modules and associated operations will be discussed in more detail below.

The package module304is configured to manage the packaging of different versions or resolutions of the same digital content to offer to a user. For example, if the user is purchasing a DVD, the package module304may determine if there is a package combination including the DVD available. The package combination may include the DVD and a Blu-Ray disc together, or the package may include the DVD and a corresponding CD (e.g., soundtrack). In another example, if the user is purchasing a CD, the package module304determines if a combination package including the CD and a digital version of the CD (e.g., audio files for MP3 device) is available. In some embodiments, the package module304generates the combination package when an associated version or resolution is available. For example, if the digital version of the CD is available, the package module304generates the combination package including both the CD and the digital version and returns an offer of the combination package to the user requesting the transaction.

The collection module306is configured to manage transactions involving a collection of digital goods. The collection of digital goods may comprise, for example, a collection of digital music, a collection of digital video (e.g., movies), a collection of e-books, or a combination of any of these collections. The collection module306receives the transaction request for a transaction involving a collection of digital goods and facilitates the transfer of license rights to the collection of digital goods from a seller to a buyer. Accordingly, the collection module306may communicate with a third party (e.g., grantor of the original license) to transfer the license rights to the buyer. Alternatively, the networked system102may maintain a record of the license rights and subsequent transfer of these license rights between parties (e.g., buyer and seller).

Furthermore, the collection module306may receive a transaction request to perform a comparison of a user's inventory with offered digital goods collections on the networked system102to determine overlaps in inventory. As such, the collection module306accesses the user's inventory (e.g., via a user account or on a user's client device). In some embodiments, a digital goods collection with an overlap in inventory may be permitted to be split by the collection module306to avoid a purchase of overlapping content. As such, a first sub-collection resulting from the split may have its license rights transferred to the buyer while a second sub-collection resulting from the split may be republished by the publication engine202for purchase. In other embodiments, the collection module306compares a user's inventory with a digital goods collection to determine which of the user's inventory is lacking license rights. The collections module306may suggest the purchase of the license rights from a digital goods collection available on the networked system102.

The currency module308is configured to manage exchange of digital currency. Accordingly, the currency module308allows a user to trade one form of currency for another form of currency. In one embodiment, one of the forms of currency being traded is cash. The digital currency may be used to pay for real-world financial obligations (e.g., bills) as well as for virtual-world obligations. As such, the currency module308enables marketplace financial services to be provided via the networked system102. The currency module308may maintain or access an exchange rate for conversion between two forms of currency and perform the conversion based on the exchange rate.

The digital access module310is configured to allow acquisition of digital rights corresponding to analog goods or content. For example, if a user owns a hard copy of a book, but wants to access the same book via an e-reader device, the user may obtain the digital rights to the digital version of the book based on the purchase of the hard copy version. In one instance, the book may have a machine readable code (e.g., quick response code) that is an individualized identifier for the instance of the book. In some embodiments, this identifier may be located behind a one-time surface such as a scratch-off covering or tear off flap. Furthermore, the identifier may be printed directly on the book (e.g., on an inside cover) or be applied by a merchant while the book is on the shelf or as it is purchased.

The digital access module310verifies the identifier received from a user. If the identifier is valid and has not been previously used, the user is provided digital rights to the digital version of the content. However if the identifier is valid but previously used, the digital access module310may determine that a user that previously used the identifier did not purchase the analog content. The user that previously used the identifier may now be charged for the content and the digital access module310may restore the one-time use identifier for the user who is the real buyer of the analog content.

FIG. 4is a flow diagram of an example high-level method400for managing transaction involving digital goods. In operation402, a transaction request is received by the networked system102. The transaction request is received from a device associated with a user (e.g., buyer or seller) and indicates a request that is to be processed by the digital goods management engine224.

In operation404, the determination module302determines whether the transaction request involves a potential purchase transaction or a digital access request. If the transaction request involves a potential purchase transaction, then in operation406, the determination module302determines what type of items or goods are involved. If the transaction involves a purchase of a single good, then a digital goods process is performed in operation408. Alternatively, if the transaction involves a collection of goods, then a collection process is performed in operation410. Further still, if the transaction involves currency, then currency processing is performed in operation412. Each of operations408,410, and412will be discussed in more detail in connection withFIG. 5,FIG. 6, andFIG. 7, respectively.

Returning to operation404, if the determination module302determines that the transaction request involves a request for digital access, then access processing is performed in operation414. Operation414will be discussed in further detail in connection withFIG. 8below.

FIG. 5is a flow diagram of an example high-level method (operation408) for performing digital goods processing involving a single digital good. As such, the transaction request may indicate the single digital good that the user is interested in purchasing. Accordingly, the package module304determines, in operation502, whether another good related to the digital good is available. The related good may comprise a different version or resolution of the digital good. In one embodiment, the package module304may search for these different versions or resolutions of the same digital good on the publication system120. Alternatively, the different versions or resolutions of the digital good may be predetermined, and the package module304performs a look (e.g., on a table) to determine the predetermined different versions or resolution.

In some embodiments, the package module304may access a user profile associated with the user to determine whether the user has specified the types or capabilities of the devices owned by the user that can consume and process the digital good. For example, the user profile may identify that a user owns a Blu-Ray player or that a laptop that the user owns is capable of processing digital content of a certain resolution or encoding. The information in the user profile may be submitted by the user or may be gleaned from prior purchases made by the user within the marketplace (e.g., it may be inferred that the user owns a Blu-Ray player due to the fact that user previously purchased a Blu-Ray player from the marketplace). In some embodiments, the package module304may take user device capabilities into account when determining what versions or resolutions of the same digital good may be packaged with the digital good.

If a related good is available, then details of a combination package (including the digital good and the related good) are provided to the user as an offer in operation504. In some cases, more than one combination package may be available and details regarding each of these combination packages may be provided to the user. The package module304then waits for a response from the user to determine, in operation506, whether the user accepts one of the combination packages. If the user does not accept the combination package offer or if there is no combination package available, then the transaction is completed in operation508with only the singled digital good. The transaction may be completed by facilitating a payment from a buyer to the seller of the digital good. The payment may be facilitated by the payment system122.

If the user accepts the offer, then the transaction is completed in operation510with the combination package. In some embodiments, the combination package may involve two different sellers each with one of the digital good in the combination package. In other embodiments, a single seller may provide both of the digital goods in the combination package. The transaction may be completed by facilitating a payment from the buyer to one or more sellers of the goods in the combination package.

While the combination package is discussed as having two related digital goods, it is contemplated that the combination package may have any number of related digital goods. For example, if the user request purchase of a DVD, the package combination offered by the package module304may include the DVD, a Blu-Ray, and a CD soundtrack. Further still, the combination package may include a non-digital good that is related to the digital good.

FIG. 6is a flow diagram of an example high-level method (operation410) for performing digital collection processing. In example embodiments, the collection module306performs a comparison of a user's inventory with offered digital goods collections on the networked system102to determine overlaps in inventory in operation602. In some cases, the user may indicate one or more collections on the networked system102with which to perform the overlap determination. In alternative embodiments, the collection module306may compare the indicated user inventory with all available collections on the networked system102to find one or more collections with the least amount of overlap in the case where the user wants to purchase more items. Alternatively, the collections module306may find one or more collections with the most overlap in the case where the user wants to find license rights for items in the user's inventory that are missing licenses. As such, the collections module306may suggest the purchase of the license rights from a digital goods collection available on the networked system102

If no overlap is detected for an embodiment where the user has indicated a collection to perform the overlap determination with, the transaction may be completed in operation604. As such, the user proceeds to pay for the entire collection and the license rights for the entire collection may be transferred to the user.

If an overlap is determined to exist in operation602, then a determination as to whether the collection may be split is performed in operation606. In example embodiments, seller of collections may indicate whether they are willing to split their collection for sale on the networked system102. If the seller refuses split the collection, then the user (e.g., buyer) provides an indication, which is received in operation608, as to whether to complete the transaction by purchasing the entire collection.

If the seller does allow the split in the collection due to the overlap, then in operation610, the collection may be split into two or more sub-collections. In one embodiment, one of the sub-collections may comprise all the overlapping items in the collection while a second sub-collection may comprise all the non-overlapping items. The collection module306may automatically generate these sub-collections based on the results of the overlap determination operation602. Alternatively, the user may be allowed to select the items from the collection that the user wants to purchase and send the selection to the collection module306. Once the sub-collections are generated, the transaction may be completed by facilitating payment for one of the sub-collections in operation612.

FIG. 7is a flow diagram of an example high-level method (operation412) for performing digital currency processing. In example embodiments, the transaction request indicating an amount in a first currency and a desired second currency is received by the currency module308. A non-exhaustive and example list of currencies capable of being exchanged may include frequent flyer miles, loyalty and reward points (e.g., credit card reward points, hotel loyalty points, retail loyalty points), virtual currency, cash, Bitcoins, Facebook credits, eBay bucks, cash-equivalent currency (e.g., gift cards, travelers checks, cashier's checks), and any other form of currency. In operation702, the currency module308checks an exchange rate for converting from the first currency to the second currency. The exchange rate information may be provided to the user for acceptance. In an alternative embodiment, the exchange rate may be provided to the user prior to receiving the transaction request (e.g., prior to the user generating the transaction request for the currency exchange).

In some embodiments, the currency module308maintains exchange rates for various combinations of currencies. The exchange rates may fluctuate based on supply and demand for the various currencies in the marketplace. In some embodiments, the currency module308may perform calls to external entities to determine exchange rates between currencies. For example, in the case that the currency module308does not have an exchange rate for two particular currencies, the currency module308may transmit a request to a third party to supply an exchange rate for the two currencies. In some embodiments, the third party exchange rates may influence and cause the exchange rates maintained by the currency module308to fluctuate, for example, to help minimize any exchange rate inefficiencies that may exist within the currency module308.

In operation704, the currency module308receives verification of acceptance of the exchange rate by the user. In some embodiments, the transaction request, itself, may be the verification. In these embodiments, operations702and704may be combined. The exchange of digital currencies thereafter may be carried out at the exchange rate agreed upon by the user.

FIG. 8is a flow diagram of an example high-level method (operation412) for performing digital access processing. In example embodiments, the transaction request includes a machine-readable code obtained from an analog good (e.g., hardcopy of book, DVD or CD). In some embodiments, the analog good may include a sticker, insert, imprinting or other notification that includes the machine-readable code. The machine readable code may serve as a proof of purchase or ownership of the analog good by a particular user. The transaction request is received by the digital access module310which verities the code in operation802.

If in operation804, the digital access module310determines the code has already been used, then in operation806, the digital access module310may bill a previous user of the code for the previous use. As such, the digital access module310may determine that the previous user did not purchase the analog content and should now be charged for the content. In example embodiments, the digital access module310has access to a database of used codes and the users of these codes. As such, if a legitimate user provides a code that has been previously used, the previous user is likely an illegitimate user. The illegitimate user may then be identified and billed for the previous digital access.

In operation808, the digital access module310restores the code such that the current (legitimate) user may now use the code to gain access to the digital version of the analog good. The access is then provided in operation810to the user.

Modules, Components, and Logic

Additionally, certain embodiments described herein may be implemented as logic or a number of modules, engines, components, or mechanisms. A module, engine, logic, component, or mechanism (collectively referred to as a “module”) may be a tangible unit capable of performing certain operations and configured or arranged in a certain manner. In certain example embodiments, one or more computer systems (e.g., a standalone, client, or server computer system) or one or more components of a computer system (e.g., a processor or a group of processors) may be configured by software (e.g., an application or application portion) or firmware (note that software and firmware can generally be used interchangeably herein as is known by a skilled artisan) as a module that operates to perform certain operations described herein.

In various embodiments, a module may be implemented mechanically or electronically. For example, a module may comprise dedicated circuitry or logic that is permanently configured (e.g., within a special-purpose processor, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or array) to perform certain operations. A module may also comprise programmable logic or circuitry (e.g., as encompassed within a general-purpose processor or other programmable processor) that is temporarily configured by software or firmware to perform certain operations as described herein. It will be appreciated that a decision to implement a module mechanically, in dedicated and permanently configured circuitry, or in temporarily configured circuitry (e.g., configured by software) may be driven by, for example, cost, time, energy-usage, and package size considerations.

Accordingly, the term “module” should be understood to encompass a tangible entity, be that an entity that is physically constructed, permanently configured (e.g., hardwired), or temporarily configured (e.g., programmed) to operate in a certain manner or to perform certain operations described herein. Considering embodiments in which modules or components are temporarily configured (e.g., programmed), each of the modules or components need not be configured or instantiated at any one instance in time. For example, where the modules or components comprise a general-purpose processor configured using software, the general-purpose processor may be configured as respective different modules at different times. Software may accordingly configure the processor to constitute a particular module at one instance of time and to constitute a different module at a different instance of time. The processor may be temporary configured or permanently configured to perform relevant operations. Whether temporarily configured or permanently configured, such processors may constitute processor-implemented modules that operate to perform one or more operations or functions.

Example Machine Architecture and Machine-Readable Medium

The example computer system900may include a processor902(e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU) or both), a main memory904and a static memory906, which communicate with each other via a bus908. The computer system900may further include a video display unit910(e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). In example embodiments, the computer system900also includes one or more of an alpha-numeric input device912(e.g., a keyboard), a user interface (UI) navigation device or cursor control device914(e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit916, a signal generation device918(e.g., a speaker), and a network interface device920,

Machine-Readable Storage Medium

The disk drive unit916includes a machine-readable storage medium922on which is stored one or more sets of instructions924and data structures (e.g., software instructions) embodying or used by any one or more of the methodologies or functions described herein. The instructions924may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory904or within the processor902during execution thereof by the computer system900, with the main memory904and the processor902also constituting machine-readable media.

Transmission Medium