Value regulation based advertising

An initiator computing device may acquire a digital coupon having a first value. The initiator computing device may share the digital coupon with a recipient computing device. An advertisement server may be notified that the initiator computing device has shared or has an intent to share the digital coupon with the recipient computing device. The advertisement server may calculate a second value associated with the digital coupon and assign the second value to the digital coupon responsive to the initiator computing device sharing the digital coupon with the recipient computing device. Further, the advertisement server may receive logging information associated with sharing the digital coupon. The logging information can facilitate monitoring the influence of the digital coupon.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This edisclosure relates generally to a technical field of advertising and, in one example embodiment, to a system, method and an apparatus for value regulation based advertising.

BACKGROUND

Businesses may use digital coupons as an effective means of advertising in the today's digital world. However, businesses may lack sufficiently sophisticated technology for tracing social influence on customer purchase habits. For example, logging how many individuals a customer can influence in promoting a merchant's services and/or goods. Additionally, businesses may lack the technology to engage customers in sharing the digital coupon and thereby spreading an influence of the digital coupon. Businesses may also lack the ability to modify the value of promotions according to their social distribution or acquisition by customers. Conventional technologies may provide inadequate merchant/advertiser (e.g., businesses) control over extending the influence and value of digital coupons. Such limitations may hinder an understanding of customer behavior and thereby limit the effectiveness of the digital coupon. Further, such limitations may result in businesses compromising on their return on advertising spending (ROAS) that represents dollar earned per dollar spend on corresponding advertisement. Thus, there is a need for a technology that provides better control over the influence, value, and logging of digital coupons and improves ROAS of businesses.

SUMMARY

Disclosed are a system, a method and an apparatus for advertising with value regulation and logging of advertising. In one aspect, a method includes receiving, at a server, a share signal. The share signal indicates a transfer of a digital coupon having a first value from an initiator computing device to a recipient computing device over a peer to peer wireless link. In addition, the method includes determining a second value of the digital coupon based on a set of predetermined criteria responsive to receiving the share signal. Further, the method includes assigning the second value to the digital coupon when the digital coupon is received by the recipient computing device.

In another aspect, a computer implemented method includes acquiring, by an initiator computing device, a digital coupon having a first value from an advertisement media. The method includes sharing the digital coupon with a recipient computing device over a peer to peer wireless communication link. Further, the method includes transmitting a share signal to an advertisement server to determine a second value of the digital coupon by the advertisement server responsive to receiving the share signal. The share signal may indicate the sharing of the digital coupon from an initiator computing device to the recipient computing device over a peer to peer wireless link.

In yet another aspect, a method includes acquiring, by an initiator computing device, a digital coupon having a first value from an advertisement media. Further, the method includes transmitting a notify signal to an advertisement server indicating an intent to share the digital coupon with a recipient computing device. In addition, the method includes receiving a second value of the digital coupon from the advertisement server responsive to transmitting the notify signal. Further, the method includes sharing the digital coupon having the second value with the recipient computing device over a peer to peer wireless link.

In a further aspect, a method includes receiving, by a recipient computing device, a digital coupon having a first value. The digital coupon may be transmitted from an initiator computing device over a peer to peer wireless link. The method includes transmitting, by the recipient computing device, a share signal to an advertisement server to determine a second value of the digital coupon by the advertisement server responsive to receiving the share signal. The share signal may indicate a sharing of the digital coupon from an initiator computing device to the recipient computing device over a peer to peer wireless link. Further, the method includes storing the digital coupon having the second value in a virtual wallet associated with the recipient computing device.

In one aspect, a system includes an advertisement server configured to receive a share signal indicating a transfer of a digital coupon having a first value from an initiator computing device to a recipient computing device over a peer to peer wireless link. Further, the advertisement server is configured to determine a second value of the digital coupon based on a set of predetermined criteria responsive to receiving the share signal. In addition, the advertisement server is configured to assign the second value to the digital coupon when the digital coupon is received by the recipient computing device.

These and other aspects, features and embodiments of the invention will become apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of illustrated embodiments exemplifying the best mode for carrying out the invention as presently perceived.

Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with reference to the above drawings. The elements and features shown in the drawings are not to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Moreover, certain dimensions may be exaggerated to help visually convey such principles. In the drawings, reference numerals designate like or corresponding, but not necessarily identical, elements throughout the several views. Other features of the present embodiments will be apparent from the Detailed Description that follows.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed are a system, a method and an apparatus for value regulation based advertising. It will be appreciated that the various embodiments discussed herein need not necessarily belong to the same group of exemplary embodiments, and may be grouped into various other embodiments not explicitly disclosed herein. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various embodiments.

The term “digital coupon” as used herein can generally refer to any appropriate digital embodiment of a promotion. The promotion can include, but is not limited to a coupon. The digital coupon can be receivable and transferable using a machine. Further, the digital coupon can be machine readable. In one embodiment, a paper coupon may be may be acquired, transported to a digital media and/or converted to a digital coupon.

The term “value of the digital coupon” as used herein can generally refer to any appropriate characteristics of the digital coupon. For example, a worth of the digital coupon such as a discount, a deal, an offer, a rebate, an experience (e.g., a free test drive), a point, an information (e.g., new information associated with the digital coupon), etc. The worth may be monetary and/or non-monetary. To mention a few examples of the characteristics of the digital coupon that may be considered as the value of the digital coupon, without being exhaustive, the value of the digital coupon may include a redemption limit of the digital coupon, an expiration date of the digital coupon, a redemption period of the digital coupon, a product associated with the digital coupon, a store associated with the digital coupon, a department in the store associated with the digital coupon and/or a product category associated with the digital coupon.

In an example embodiment, changing a value of the digital coupon may include changing the redemption limits of the digital coupon (e.g. change from one coupon per purchase to two coupons per purchase), changing the expiration date of the digital coupon, changing the redemption period of the digital coupon (e.g., change from only redeemable on weekends to redeemable on all days, change from redeemable after 6 pm to redeemable after 4 pm), changing the store locations (e.g. change from 10% at SF locations only to 10% off all stores in CA), changing the store departments (e.g. change from women's department only to all departments), changing the products associated with the digital coupon (e.g. change from applies to non-sale items only to applies to all items including sale items), and/or changing product categories associated with the digital coupon (e.g., change from 15% off 12 oz drinks to 15% off 12 oz & 16 oz drinks).

The term “computing device” as used herein can generally refer to any appropriate data processing device. In one embodiment, the computing device may be a portable/mobile data processing device. In one embodiment, the initiator computing device102a(shown inFIG. 1) and the recipient computing device102b(shown inFIG. 1) may be a mobile computing device, (e.g., notebook computer, tablet computer, netbook computer, e-Reader, or personal digital assistant (PDA), video game device, GPS locator device, cellular telephone, smartphone, or other mobile device). In one embodiment, the initiator computing device102aand the recipient computing device102bmay be, inter alia Near Field Communication (NFC) enabled or can be coupled to an NFC enabled device. In another embodiment, the initiator computing device102aand the recipient computing device102bmay be a desktop personal computer.

FIG. 1Aillustrates a system for value regulation based advertising, according to one or more exemplary embodiments. In particular,FIG. 1Aillustrates an initiator computing device102aassociated with an initiator user104, a recipient computing device102bassociated with a recipient user106, a virtual wallet112, an online storage server114, an advertisement server120, digital coupon(s)110aand110b, a peer to peer wireless link108and an advertisement media116.

In one embodiment the initiator computing device102ais configured to acquire a digital coupon110afrom an advertisement media116. Further, the initiator computing device102acan share (e.g., transfer) the digital coupon110awith the recipient computing device102b. The initiator computing device102acan receive a consideration from the advertisement server120responsive to sharing the digital coupon with the recipient computing device102b. In addition, the initiator computing device102ais configured to facilitate changing a value of the digital coupon that is shared with the recipient mobile computing device102b.

In an exemplary embodiment, operation ‘A’ inFIG. 1Aillustrates the initiator computing device102aacquiring a digital coupon110afrom the advertisement media116. The digital coupon110amay be associated with a merchant (e.g., Starbucks®, American Eagle®, etc.). Further, the merchant may market the digital coupon110ausing the advertisement media116. In one embodiment, the advertisement media116may be online media such as Internet based advertisement media (e.g., merchant website, third party website, etc.). In another embodiment, the advertisement media may be an offline media such as smart billboards, print media, television, etc.

In an example embodiment, where the advertisement media is an online media, the initiator user104can connect to the Internet using the initiator computing device102ato acquire the digital coupon (e.g., using clickable links, automatic downloading, etc). The coupon may be hosted on a merchant website and/or a third party website. In one embodiment, acquiring the digital coupon can include downloading the digital coupon onto the initiator computing device102aand/or saving the digital coupon on the virtual wallet. In another example embodiment, where the advertisement media is an offline media, the initiator user104can acquire the digital coupon110avia an email, receiving the coupon as a multimedia message, capturing an image of the digital coupon110a(e.g., a machine readable coupon) on a print media, or scanning and saving he digital coupon using the initiator computing device102a. In one embodiment the digital coupon110acan be acquired via an NFC based technology. In some embodiments, the initiator computing device102acan be used to acquire the digital coupon110aby, for example, presenting the initiator computing device102aat a register, point of sale, or service desk within a store.

In one embodiment, the initiator computing device102ais configured to store the digital coupon in a virtual wallet112associated with the initiator user104, responsive to acquiring the digital coupon110a. An initiator user104and/or recipient user106can have one or more virtual wallets. The virtual wallet112may be implemented as a software application that can reside on the initiator computing device102a. The virtual wallet112can be representative of an online storage server114in a cloud network. The initiator computing device102ais configured to store the digital coupon110ain the online storage server114. In one embodiment, the online storage server114can store digital coupons from one or more virtual wallets. Further, the online storage server can manage (or organize) the one or more virtual wallets and/or more digital coupons in each virtual wallet.

In one embodiment, the initiator user104can access the digital coupon110afrom the online storage server114at any location and/or time, using the initiator computing device102a. In another embodiment, the initiator user104may access the digital coupon110afrom the online storage server114at any location and/or time, using any appropriate computing device. The virtual wallet application112can present a user interface to the initiator user104using a display of the initiator computing device102a, to access the online storage server114. In one embodiment, once the digital coupon110ais stored in the initiator user's virtual wallet112, the initiator user104can choose to share the digital coupon110awith one or more other users. In another embodiment, the initiator user102acan choose to redeem the digital coupon110a. The initiator user104can redeem the digital coupon110aat a merchant's point-of-sale/point-of-service (POS) terminal and/or via a merchant's website. In an alternate embodiment, a user may redeem the digital coupon by calling a toll free number or a number specified by a merchant associated with the digital coupon. In yet another embodiment, the digital coupon may be redeemed by gestures.

In an exemplary embodiment, operation B inFIG. 1Aillustrates the initiator computing device102asharing the digital coupon110awith the recipient computing device102b. In one embodiment, responsive to storing the digital coupon110ain the initiator user's virtual wallet112, the initiator computing device102acan prompt the initiator user104to share the digital coupon110a. The prompting may include, inter alia, requesting the initiator user104to share the digital coupon110a, visually presenting a list of recipient users (e.g., a social network friend list, a contact list, etc.) to share the digital coupon110aand/or visually presenting an incentive associated with sharing the digital coupon110a. The initiator computing device102acan prompt the initiator user104using an output peripheral (e.g., display screen, audio speakers, etc.) of the initiator computing device102a. In one embodiment, the initiator user104can respond to the prompt by manually selecting an option on a user interface of the initiator computing device102a, that causes the digital coupon110ato be transferred to the recipient computing device102b. In another embodiment, the initiator computing device102ais configured to automatically transfer the digital coupon110ato a predefined group of recipient users (e.g., social network friend list, contact list, etc.). In one embodiment, the initiator computing device102ais configured to generate a list of recipient users to receive the digital coupon110a, responsive to acquiring the digital coupon110a.

Using the initiator computing device102a, the initiator user104can share the digital coupon110awith a recipient user106. The initiator computing device102ais configured to transfer the digital coupon110ato the recipient computing device102b. Sharing may be broadly interpreted as transferring and/or transmitting the digital coupon from one device to another device. In one embodiment, a copy of the digital coupon110amay be transmitted, leaving the acquired digital coupon110ain virtual wallet112of the initiator user104. In another embodiment, a copy of the digital coupon110amay be stored in the virtual wallet112of the initiator user104and the acquired digital coupon110amay be transmitted.

In one embodiment, transmitting a digital coupon between computing devices may refer to transferring the digital coupons between the virtual wallets of the users associated with the virtual wallets. The computing devices may facilitate the transfer of the digital coupon between the virtual wallets.

In one embodiment, the initiator computing device102acan transfer the digital coupon110ato the recipient computing device102bover a peer to peer wireless link108. The peer to peer wireless communication link is established between the initiator computing device102aand the recipient computing device102b. In one embodiment, the digital coupon110amay be shared over a peer to peer wireless communication link108using an NFC protocol. The peer to peer wireless communication link108can be an NFC link. In another embodiment, the peer to peer wireless communication link108can be inter alia, an RFID link, a Bluetooth link and/or an infrared link. In one embodiment, the initiator computing device102acan transmit the digital coupon110ato the recipient computing device102bthrough sending an SMS, MMS, e-mail, etc.

In an example embodiment, the peer to peer wireless communication link108can be established based on a motion pattern of the initiator computing device102aand/or the recipient computing device102b. For example, user A shares a coupon with user B by shaking phone A toward B, user A and user B moving the phones in opposing circles around one another, etc.

In one embodiment, the initiator computing device102acan transmit the digital coupon110ato the recipient computing device102bover a contact based link. The contact based link can be a cloud based “Bump” like technology. The “Bump” technology uses the cloud to match the vibration recorded from a physical bump to another matching physical vibration in a phone nearby.

In another embodiment, the initiator computing device102acan transfer the digital coupon110ato the recipient computing device102bvia the advertisement server120. In some embodiments, the initiator user104can leave the digital coupon110afor the recipient user106at a POS terminal or at a merchant website. The digital coupon110acan be stored in a database associated with the POS terminal. The digital coupon110acan comprise, inter alia an identifier associated with the recipient computing device102band an identifier associated with the initiator computing device102a. When the recipient computing device102bregisters with and/or checks in, using the identifier associated with the recipient computing device102b, at the POS terminal, the digital coupon110acan be transferred from the POS terminal to the recipient computing device102b.

In yet another embodiment, a user may leave a digital coupon in a cloud storage device by tapping his computing device at an appropriate 3rdparty location (e.g., smart billboard). The third party location may be associated with the cloud storage. For example, a user may tap a billboard displaying company X's product with his phone and leave a coupon for his friend or stranger to pick it up. The billboard may be associated with a third party such as an advertising agency.

In one embodiment, the advertisement server120can be a cloud based server120as illustrated inFIG. 1B. Further, the advertisement server120can interact with the online storage server114, the initiator computing device102a, and/or the recipient computing device102bas illustrated inFIG. 1B.

In the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 1A, the initiator computing device102aacquires a digital coupon110ahaving a first value. In one embodiment, the initiator computing device can initiate a change in the value of the digital coupon110abefore sharing it with the recipient computing device102b. The value of the digital coupon can be changed to have a second value. Then, the initiator computing device102acan transmit the digital coupon110bwith a second value to the recipient computing device102b. The recipient computing device102bcan receive the digital coupon110bwith the second value. In another embodiment, the initiator computing device102acan transmit the digital coupon110ahaving the first value and when recipient user106redeems the digital coupon using the recipient computing device102bat a merchant's point-of-sale/point-of-service (POS) terminal or via a merchant's website, the digital coupon can be assigned a second value. In one embodiment, the value of the digital coupon110acan change once it is received by the recipient computing device102b.

In one embodiment, the first value and the second value of the digital coupon can be same. In another embodiment, the first value and the second value of the digital coupon can be different. The merchant associated with the digital coupon can control the change in the value of the coupon based on a set of predetermined criterion. The set of predetermined criterion is described in greater detail below, in connection withFIG. 4andFIG. 5.

In one embodiment, the advertisement server120is configured to change the value of the digital coupon110a. In another embodiment, the initiator computing device102acan change the value of the digital coupon110a. Further, in some embodiments, the recipient computing device102bcan change the value of the digital coupon110a. Changing the value of the digital coupon is described in greater detail below, in connection withFIG. 4andFIG. 5.

Now refer toFIG. 1andFIG. 4.FIG. 4illustrates a system for changing the value of the digital coupon upon sharing the digital coupon, according to one or more exemplary embodiments. In particular,FIG. 4illustrates an initiator user104, an initiator computing device102a, a recipient user106, a recipient computing device102b, an advertisement server120, a share signal402, a consideration404, a peer to peer wireless communication link108, a digital coupon having a first value110a,xand a digital coupon having a second value110a,y.

In an exemplary embodiment, using the initiator computing device102a, the initiator user104can share the digital coupon110a,xhaving a first value, with the recipient user106. In the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 4, the value of the digital coupon is changed before it is transmitted from the initiator computing device102ato the recipient computing device102b. The digital coupon110a,xmay have a first value and the digital coupon110a,ymay have a second value. The digital coupon110a,xhaving the first value and the digital coupon110a,yhaving the second value may be associated with the same merchant.

In another embodiment, the initiator user104can acquire the digital coupon110a,xhaving a first value. Using the initiator computing device102a, the initiator user104can transmit the digital coupon110a,xto the recipient computing device102bover the peer to peer wireless communication link108. The recipient computing device102bcan receive the digital coupon110a,xhaving the first value. The value of the digital coupon110a,xcan be changed to have a second value (e.g., digital coupon110a,y), once the recipient computing device102breceives the digital coupon110a,xhaving the first value.

In yet another embodiment, the initiator user104can acquire the digital coupon110a,xhaving a first value. Using the initiator computing device102a, the initiator user104can transmit the digital coupon110a,xto the recipient computing device102bover the peer to peer wireless communication link108. The recipient computing device102bcan receive the digital coupon110a,xhaving the first value. When the recipient user chooses to redeem the digital coupon110a,xat a merchant's point-of-sale/point-of-service (POS) terminal or via a merchant's website, the value of the digital coupon110amay be changed to have a second value (e.g., digital coupon110a,y). In one embodiment, the merchant's point-of-sale/point-of-service (POS) terminal or via the merchant's website can be logically coupled to the advertisement server120. Using the advertisement server120, the value of the digital coupon110a,xhaving a first value can be changed to have a second value. In the exemplary embodiment, ‘x’(in110a,x) may refer to the first value and ‘y’ (in110a,y) may refer to the second value. In another embodiment, the merchant's point-of-sale/point-of-service (POS) terminal or via the merchant's website can be logically coupled to a merchant specific server which is configured to change the value of the digital coupon. In one embodiment, the advertisement server120may be merchant controlled and/or third party controlled (e.g., advertisement agencies).

In an exemplary embodiment, the initiator computing device102ais configured to transmit a share signal402to the advertisement server120after the initiator computing device102ahas shared the digital coupon having a first value110a,xwith the recipient computing device102b(i.e., When the initiator computing device102areceives an acknowledgment from the recipient computing device102bthat digital coupon having a first value has been received by the recipient computing device102b). The share signal402can indicate that the digital coupon110a,xhaving a first value, is shared by the initiator computing device102awith the recipient computing device102b. In an alternate embodiment, the initiator computing device102acan transmit a notify signal (not shown inFIG. 4) to the advertisement server120before the digital coupon110a,xis shared with the recipient computing device102b. The notify signal can indicate an intent of the initiator computing device102ato share the digital coupon with the recipient computing device102b(e.g., Initiator user104is prompted using the initiator computing device102ausing a user interface of the initiator computing device102a, “Do you want to share the coupon?”. When the initiator user104clicks/chooses the option that indicates that the initiator user104intends to share the coupon, the initiator computing device102atransmits a notify signal to the advertisement server120.)

In one embodiment, the advertisement server120can have a copy of the digital coupon110a,xand the value of the digital coupon110a,x(e.g., first value) that is acquired using the initiator computing device102a. In another embodiment, the initiator computing device102acan transmit a copy of the digital coupon110a,xto the advertisement server120. In one embodiment, the initiator computing device102acan inform the advertisement server120when a digital coupon110a,xis acquired. In another embodiment, the online storage server114(virtual wallet112associated with the initiator user shown inFIG. 1) can inform the advertisement server120when the initiator computing device102aacquires the digital coupon110a,x. In some embodiments, the advertisement server120may periodically scan the online storage server114to update information when a digital coupon110a,xis acquired using the initiator computing device102a. In a further embodiment, transmitting the copy of the digital coupon may refer to transmitting identifiers associated with the coupon.

In another exemplary embodiment, the recipient computing device102bcan transmit the share signal402to the advertisement server120. In this embodiment, the initiator computing device102acan transmit the digital coupon110a,xhaving a first value to the recipient computing device102b(e.g., over peer to peer wireless link, via advertisement server120, etc.) The recipient computing device102bcan receive the digital coupon110a,xhaving the first value. Upon receiving the digital coupon110a,xhaving the first value, the recipient computing device102bcan transmit a share signal402to the advertisement server120indicating that the initiator computing device102ahas shared the digital coupon with the recipient computing device102b.

In one embodiment, the advertisement server102receives the share signal402. Upon receiving the share signal402, the advertisement server120is configured to determine a second value associated with the digital coupon110a. The advertisement server120can determine the second value associated with the digital coupon based on a number of predetermined criterion. In one embodiment, the predetermined criterion can be a number of times the digital coupon is shared. In another embodiment, the predetermined criterion can be a degree of separation between the initiator user104and the recipient user106. The degree of separation is explained in greater detail below, in association withFIG. 5. Further, the predetermined criteria can include other factors such time of the day at which the digital coupon is shared, the kind of digital coupon that is shared, etc. In one embodiment, the value of the digital coupon may be changed based on the peer to peer communication link used to share the digital coupon (e.g., if the digital coupon is shared over NFC, the second value may be higher than first value.)

In one embodiment, the advertisement server120can assign the second value to the digital coupon when the recipient computing device102breceives the digital coupon.

In one embodiment, the advertisement server120can transmit the second value of the digital coupon to the online storage server114. The online storage server114may receive the second value and update a value of the coupon stored in the virtual wallet of the recipient user106. The second value can be transmitted in the form of a signal encoded with the second value. When the digital coupon is displayed to the recipient user106using the recipient computing device102b, the second value may be presented to the recipient user106(i.e., the recipient user may be unaware that the value of the digital coupon has been changed and further the recipient user may be unaware of the first value of the digital coupon. Only the changed value may be presented to the recipient user). In another embodiment, the advertisement server120can assign the second value to the digital coupon when the recipient user106redeems the digital coupon at the merchant's point-of-sale/point-of-service (POS) terminal or via the merchant's website. The second value of the digital coupon may remain unknown to the recipient user106, till the recipient user redeems the digital coupon at the merchant's point-of-sale/point-of-service (POS) terminal or via the merchant's website.

In another embodiment ofFIG. 4, the initiator computing device102acan share the digital coupon with the recipient computing device102bthrough the advertisement server120. In this embodiment, the initiator computing device102acan send the digital coupon, having the first value,110a,xto the advertisement server120. The advertisement server120can change the value of the digital coupon to have a second value, based on the number of predetermined criterion. The advertisement server120can transmit the digital coupon, having the second value,110a,yto the recipient computing device102b. The recipient computing device102bcan receive the digital coupon110a,yhaving the second value.

The process of changing the value of the digital coupon may be hidden from the recipient user106and/or the initiator user104. For example, when the initiator user104transmits the coupon, it appears to the initiator user104that the initiator user104is transmitting a digital coupon with value x to the recipient user, and when the recipient user106receives the coupon, it appears to the recipient user106that the initiator user shared a coupon having a value y. The recipient user may not know that the initiator user shared the coupon having value x and that it was changed to have a value y. In another embodiment, the users may be aware of the changing value of the digital coupon.

As mentioned earlier, the change in the value of the digital coupon can depend on a number of predetermined criterion. The number of predetermined criterion may be pre-defined by a merchant associated with the digital coupon. In one embodiment, the predetermined criterion can be predefined and/or controlled by a third party. In a further embodiment, the predetermined criterion can be merchant defined and user controlled.

In one embodiment, the first value of the digital coupon can be same as the second value (e.g., The promotion acquired by user 1 is shared to user 2, 3 . . . n and the value remains the same). In another embodiment, the first value and the second value can be different. In one embodiment, the first value can be greater than the second value (e.g., The more degrees of separation, the more the promotional value decreases. For example, User 1 gets 20% off, User 2: 15%, User 3: 10%, etc.) In one embodiment, the first value can be lesser than the second value (e.g., If User 1 distributes the offer to 2 people (Users 2 and 3), the value of their offer increases from 20% to 22% off, and if distributed to 4 people- to 24% off. If User 2 distributes to two more people, both User 2 and User 1 receive additional benefit.). In one embodiment, the value of the digital coupon can change randomly in that, the change may not follow any specific pattern (e.g., With each share, the recipient of the coupon receives a pre-set value at random. For example, a user could acquire $1, $5, $10, or $20 off from their friend (e.g. via NFC coupon share) and the value is unknown.)

In one embodiment, the initiator computing device102acan send a notify signal to the advertisement server120. The notify signal can inform the advertisement server that the initiator computing device102awants to share the digital coupon having a first value110a,xwith the recipient computing device102b. The advertisement server120can determine the second value associated with the digital coupon based on the number of predetermined criterion. The advertisement server120can assign the second value to the digital coupon. In one embodiment, the advertisement server120can send the digital coupon110a,yhaving the second value to the initiator computing device102a. Further, the initiator computing device102acan transmit the digital coupon110a,yhaving the second value to the recipient computing device102b. The recipient computing device102bcan receive the digital coupon102bhaving the second value and store it in the virtual wallet associated with the recipient user106. The digital coupon having the second value110a,ycan be transmitted to the recipient computing device102bover a peer to peer wireless communication link108and/or via the advertisement server120.

In an alternate embodiment, the advertisement server120can send the second value to the initiator computing device102a. The initiator computing device102acan change the value of the digital coupon. The processor of the initiator computing device can execute a set of instructions that is configured to change the value of the digital coupon locally. The initiator computing device102acan access the number of predetermined criterion from the advertisement server120. Further, the initiator computing device102acan transmit the digital coupon110a,yhaving the second value to the recipient computing device102b. In yet another embodiment, the initiator computing device102acan transmit the digital coupon having the first value to the recipient computing device102b. The recipient computing device102bis configured to change the value of the digital coupon locally using a processor of the recipient computing device102band accessing the second value from the advertisement server120.

In one embodiment, logging information may be encoded in the digital coupon that is transmitted from the initiator computing device102ato the recipient computing device102b. In one embodiment, the logging information may include, inter alia a user identifier for the virtual wallet in which the digital coupon is stored, a coupon identifier, an offer identifier and a status identifier. The user identifier may identify a user that shares the digital coupon and/or receives the digital coupon. The user identifier may be unique to a user. The status identifier may identify the number of times the digital coupon has been shared and the degree of separation between the initiator user104and the recipient user106. The coupon identifier may identify an association of the digital coupon with the user and the merchant and the offer identifier may identify the value associated with the digital coupon.

In one embodiment, each time the coupon is shared, the logging information gets appended to the digital coupon. In one embodiment, the merchant may retrieve the history of all the transactions associated with the specific digital coupon110awhen a recipient user redeems the digital coupon at the merchant's point-of-sale/point-of-service (POS) terminal or via the merchant's website. In another embodiment, the logging information can be updated at the advertisement server120, each time the digital coupon is shared. The advertisement server120can present a user interface to the merchant (or to a third party) to view an influence of a user in spreading the digital coupon and to determine an effective way of marketing a promotion. In one embodiment, the advertisement server120can provide an analysis chart based on the transaction history of the digital coupon. In another embodiment, the initiator user104and/or the recipient user106can store a trail of the digital coupon using the user interface of the initiators computing device102aand the recipients computing device102brespectively. The advertisement server120may transmit the trail of the digital coupon110a,xto the initiator computing device102aand/or the recipient computing device102bupon request. In another embodiment, the initiator computing device102aand/or the recipient computing device102bcan save a content of the coupon which can be exchanged among each other and aggregated to determine a trail of the digital coupon110a,x. In one embodiment, the trail of the digital coupon can be presented visually using the user interface. The logging of the digital coupon is described in greater detail below, in connection withFIG. 6.

In one embodiment, each time an initiator user104shares a digital coupon with a recipient user106, the initiator user104is provided with a consideration404from the merchant (e.g., American Eagle, Inc. for an American Eagle coupon, Starbucks, Inc. for a Starbucks coupon, etc.) associated with the digital coupon. The process of providing a consideration to the initiator user104is described in greater detail below, in connection withFIG. 1A.

Now refer back toFIG. 1A. In one embodiment, operation C illustrates the initiator computing device102areceiving a consideration from the advertisement server120. In one embodiment, each time an initiator computing device102ashares a digital coupon110aor110bwith a recipient, the initiator computing device102acan receive a consideration from the merchant (e.g., American Eagle, Inc. for an American Eagle coupon, Starbucks, Inc. for a Starbucks coupon, etc.) associated with the digital coupon. In one embodiment, the advertisement server120can provide the consideration to the initiator computing device102a. The value of the consideration provided to the initiator computing device102acan increase if the recipient user106redeems the digital coupon, i.e., purchases a product associated with the merchant and exchanges the coupon for a financial discount or rebate on the purchase thereof. The consideration provided to the initiator computing device102amay be in the form of cash back, addition discounts, loyalty points, etc. In one embodiment, the initiator computing device102acan receive additional digital coupons when the initiator computing device102ashares the digital coupon110awith the recipient computing device102b. The consideration provided to the initiator computing device102acan be proportional to the value of the digital coupon110athat is being shared and/or redeemed (110b). The merchant associated with the coupon may determine the value of the consideration to be provided to the sharer. In one embodiment, the value may be preset. In another embodiment, the value of the consideration may be variable and/or calculated real-time.

In one embodiment, the recipient computing device102acan share the digital coupon110bwith another user (e.g., second recipient computing device102c(shown inFIG. 5)). When, the recipient computing device102bshares the digital coupon110bwith another user, both the recipient computing device102band the initiator computing device102acan receive a consideration. The consideration that the initiator computing device102areceives when the recipient computing device102bshares the digital coupon110bwith another user can be additional to the consideration received when the initiator computing device102ashares the digital coupon110awith the recipient computing device102b. Sharing of the digital coupon110bby the recipient computing device102bis discussed in greater detail in association withFIG. 5.

Referring now toFIGS. 1A-1BandFIG. 5,FIG. 5illustrates sharing a digital coupon by the recipient computing device, according to one or more exemplary embodiments. In particular,FIG. 5illustrates an initiator user104, an initiator computing device102a, a recipient user106a, a recipient computing device102b, a second recipient user106b, a second recipient computing device102c, a peer to peer wireless communication link108aand108b, a digital coupon110a,x, a digital coupon110a,y, a digital coupon110a,w, and an advertisement server120.

In operation1ofFIG. 5, the initiator computing device102acan transmit a digital coupon110ahaving a first value ‘x’ (e.g.,110a,x) with a recipient computing device102bover a peer to peer wireless communication link108aas discussed inFIG. 4. In an example embodiment ofFIG. 5, the shared digital coupon can have value ‘x’ (110a,x) as acquired by the initiator computing device102a, or a value ‘y’ (110a,y) if the value has been changed before sharing. In operation2ofFIG. 5, the initiator computing device102acan transmit a share signal402to the advertisement server120. The advertisement server120can determine and assign the second value ‘y’ to the digital coupon110awhen the recipient computing device102breceives the digital coupon transmitted by the initiator computing device102a. The second value ‘y’ can be determined based on a set of predetermined criterion than includes a degree of separation between the initiator computing device102aand the recipient computing device102b. In the example embodiment ofFIG. 5, the degree of separation is 1 between the initiator user104associated with the initiator computing device102aand the recipient user106aassociated with the recipient computing device102b. The second value ‘y’ can also depend on the number of times the digital coupon110ais shared. In another embodiment, operation1ofFIG. 5can include transmitting a notify signal to the advertisement server120after which the digital coupon110acan be shared with the recipient computing device102bwith either a value ‘x’ (e.g.,110a,x) or a value ‘y’ (e.g.,110a,y). In operation3ofFIG. 5, the initiator computing device102acan receive a consideration from the advertisement server120on sharing the digital coupon110awith the recipient computing device102b. In one embodiment, the value of the consideration can be higher when the recipient computing device102bredeems the digital coupon having a second value (110a,y). For example, the initiator computing device102areceives a $5 rebate (consideration) for sharing the digital coupon110awith the recipient computing device102b, but if the digital coupon110ais redeemed by the recipient computing device102b, the initiator computing device102areceives a $15 rebate (consideration).

Further, in operation4ofFIG. 5, the recipient computing device102bcan transmit the digital coupon110ahaving a second value ‘y’ with a second recipient computing device102cover a peer to peer wireless communication link108b. In one embodiment, operation4can include sending a notify signal to the advertisement server120, receiving and assigning a third value ‘w’ to the digital coupon110abefore transmitting it to the second recipient computing device102c. In another embodiment, in operation5ofFIG. 5, the recipient computing device102bcan transmit a re-share signal to the advertisement server120. The re-share signal can indicate that the digital coupon110aacquired by the initiator computing device102a, which was received by the recipient computing device102bwith a second value ‘y’ (110a,y), is being shared by the recipient computing device102bwith a second recipient computing device102c. On receiving the re-share signal, the advertisement server120can calculate a third value ‘w’ of the digital coupon110a. Further, the third value can be assigned to the digital coupon110awhen the second recipient computing device102creceives the digital coupon110a. The third value of the digital coupon can be calculated based on a degree of separation between the initiator user104and the second recipient user106band the number of times the digital coupon110ais shared. In the example embodiment ofFIG. 5, the degree of separation between the initiator user104and the second recipient user106bis 2. Further the digital coupon110ais shared 2 times. In operation6ofFIG. 5, the recipient computing device102bcan receive a consideration for sharing the digital coupon110awith the second initiator computing device102c. Further, in operation7ofFIG. 5, the initiator computing device102acan receive a consideration when the recipient computing device102bshares the digital coupon110awith the second recipient computing device102c. The value of the consideration may change if the second recipient user106bredeems the digital coupon110a,w. Further, the second recipient computing device102ccan transmit the digital coupon110ahaving a third value ‘w’ (e.g.,110a,w) with a third recipient computing device and so on.

In one embodiment, the first value ‘x’, second value ‘y’ and the third value ‘w’ may be the same. In another embodiment, the first value ‘x’, second value ‘y’ and the third value ‘w’ may be different. In one embodiment, the considerations can be provided by the advertisement server120. The share signal402, re-share signal and/or the notify signal transmitted to the advertisement server120can include logging information. The advertisement server120can use the logging information to inter alia determine a trail of the digital coupon110a, determine the value of the digital coupon110aand further to determine users that may receive the consideration for sharing the digital coupon110a. The advertisement server120and the computing device102is described in greater detail in association withFIG. 2andFIG. 3.

Referring now toFIGS. 1A-1BandFIG. 2,FIG. 2illustrates a block diagram of the computing device ofFIG. 1AandFIG. 1B, according to one or more exemplary embodiments. Computing device can refer to initiator computing device102aand recipient computing device102b. In particular,FIG. 2illustrates a capture module202, a communication module204, a notification module206, a display module208, a processor210and a memory212.

In one embodiment, the capture module202is configured to acquire the digital coupon110afrom the advertisement media116. The capture module202can include sensors that facilitate acquiring the digital coupon by capturing an image (e.g., image of digital coupon), scanning the image, downloading the digital coupon110aand/or capture a digital coupon embodied as a sound (e.g., using microphone sensor). In one embodiment, the capture module is configured to download the digital coupon based on a location of the computing device and/or a time of the day. For example, if the computing device (e.g., initiator computing device102a) is near store XYZ, the computing device can automatically (or by manual interaction of user) download coupons associated with store XYZ. In another example, between 4 pm and 6 pm the computing device may download the digital coupon associated with store ABC and between 6 pm to 8 pm the computing device may download digital coupons associated with store XYZ.

The capture module is further configured to store the acquired digital coupon110ain a virtual wallet (online storage server114) associated with the user that acquires the digital coupon (e.g., initiator user104) or the user that receives the digital coupon (e.g., recipient user106).

In one embodiment, the communication module204is configured to receive the digital coupon110afrom another user (e.g., initiator user). The communication module204is further configured to transmit the digital coupon110ato another user (e.g., from initiator computing device to recipient computing device). In a further embodiment, the communication module204is configured to function as a transceiver. The communication module204can handle any appropriate communication to and from the computing device102. In one embodiment, the communication module204can facilitate establishing the peer to peer wireless communication link108to transmit the digital coupon.

The notification module206is configured to communicate share, re-share and/or notify signals to the advertisement server120. Further, the notification module206can process information received from the advertisement server120, such as changed value. In one embodiment, the notification module206can change the value of the digital coupon110abefore transmitting the digital coupon110a.

The display module208can process any appropriate information and transform the information to a visual representation. Once the digital coupon110ais acquired and/or received the display module208can facilitate prompting a user to share the digital coupon110a. In one embodiment, when an initiator computing device102aacquires a digital coupon or the recipient computing device102breceives a digital coupon from the initiator computing device102a, the display module208can generate a list of users with whom the initiator user104and/or the recipient user106may want to share the digital coupon. Further, the display module208can aggregate logging information and generate a visual representation of the digital coupon's110atrail. The display module208can present the visual representations through a display component (not shown in Figure) of the computing device. A user may interact with the computing device102via a user interface. In a further embodiment, the display module208can process a user inputted information.

All the modules of the computing device102may be software that is stored on a memory212of the computing device102. In an alternate embodiment, the memory212may be external to the computing device. The memory may be a non-transitory or a transitory memory. The software includes a set of instructions which can be executed by the processor210to perform operations of the computing device102. The capture module202, communication module204, the notification module205and/or the display module208may be coupled to each other and to the processor210and memory212.

Referring now toFIGS. 1A-1BandFIG. 3,FIG. 3illustrates a block diagram of the advertisement server, according to one or more exemplary embodiments. In particular,FIG. 3illustrates a valuation module302, a logging module304, a control module306, a user profile module308, a statistics module310, a community module312, a processor320, an I/O module322and a database318.

The I/O module322may be a hardware embodiment, a software embodiment or a combination of both. The I/O module322is configured to receive and/or transmit any appropriate communication associated with the advertisement server120. The I/O module322can receive the information from the initiator computing device102aand/or the recipient computing device102b. The received information can be transmitted to the processor for further evaluation. In one embodiment, the processor320is configured to analyze the received information and call the respective modules to execute appropriate functions.

In one embodiment, the control module306is configured to determine a value of the digital coupon110a. The I/O module322can receive a share signal, re-share signal and/or notify signal. On receiving the said signal, the control module306can determine a current value of the digital coupon. Further, the control module306can calculate the predetermined criterion based on the logging information associated with the digital coupon110a, such as the number of times the digital coupon has been shared and the degree of separation. Once the predetermined criterion is calculated, the control module306can calculate the new value of the digital coupon110a. In one embodiment, the new value may be the same as the current value. The new value can be determined using an algorithm that uses the current value and/or the predetermined criterion as input. The algorithm may be stored in and/or accessed from the database318.

On receiving the notify, share and/or re-share signal, the logging module304can extract a logging information from the said signal, if the signal is embedded with the logging information. The logging module304can aggregate the logging information to determine a trail of the digital coupon and the associated users (e.g., initial user104, recipient user106a, second recipient user106b, etc.) Further, the logging module304can communicate the logging information to the statistics module310.

The statistics module310is configured to analyze the logging information and organize the logging information to a form that provides commercially valuable data associated with the digital coupon to a user (e.g., merchant). On receiving the notify, share and/or re-share signal, the valuation module302can determine a consideration associated with sharing the digital coupon. The valuation module302can determine which user (e.g., initiator user104, recipient user106, etc.) receives the consideration. Further, the valuation module302can determine the value of the consideration and the type of consideration to be provided responsive to sharing the digital coupon110a. The merchant may define the consideration. In one embodiment, the consideration may be predefined. In another embodiment, the consideration may be calculated in real time.

The user profile module308is configured to receive user information and store it in the database318. Further, the user profile module308can retrieve user information upon request. In one embodiment, if a user is not registered with the advertisement server, the user profile module308can generate a signal that is transmitted to the computing device102of the user to prompt the user to register with the advertisement server120. The user's information can include, but is not limited to personal information of the user, a picture of the user, a list of social networking platforms associated with the user, and likes and dislikes of the user.

In one embodiment, the user can be given an option not to register with the advertisement server120for purposes of protecting the privacy of the user. In another embodiment, the user can be given an option to remain anonymous. In a further embodiment, the user can be provided with an option to register with the advertisement server with user information that is encoded. For example, John Doe may choose to register with the advertisement server120by entering his name. Further, John Doe may be given the option to have his information encoded such that the name John Doe appears as user number 12934 for user privacy protection.

In one embodiment, the community module312can facilitate accessing social networking platforms or a local phonebook of a user to obtain a friend list of the user. The friend list of the user can be customized based on the users likes and/or dislikes using the processor320. Further, the friend list can be populated in the computing device of the user (e.g., initiator user104, recipient user106, etc.) as a list of potential users with whom the digital coupon can be shared. Further, the community module can rank the list of friends (or other users) based on users that are most likely to re-share the digital coupon or redeem the digital coupon110a. All appropriate user information can be stored in the database for further processing. The operation of the advertisement server120and/or the computing device102is described in further detail in association withFIG. 6.

Referring now toFIGS. 1A-3andFIG. 6,FIG. 6illustrates a method for value regulation based advertising, according to one or more example embodiments. In operation601, the initiator computing device102aacquires the digital coupon x having a value A. Once the digital coupon x is acquired, in operation602the initiator computing device102astores the digital coupon in the virtual wallet112using the control module306. The virtual wallet112may be an application that is a client instantiation of the online storage server114. Further, in operation603, the initiator computing device102ashares the digital coupon x with the recipient computing device102b. The value of the digital coupon x can be changed prior to sharing or after the recipient computing device102breceives the digital coupon. In an example embodiment ofFIG. 6, the digital coupon x is transmitted with value A. In operation604, the recipient computing device102breceives the digital coupon x. In operation605, the recipient computing device102bsends an acknowledgment packet to the initiator computing device102aindicating that the recipient computing device102bhas received the digital coupon x.

In operation606, responsive to receiving the acknowledgement, the initiator computing device102atransmits a share signal to the advertisement server120. In operation607, the advertisement server120determines a new value of the digital coupon x. In some embodiments, the value of the digital coupon x may not be changed. In operation608, the advertisement server120can initiate a change in share status of the digital coupon. The change may be reflected in the initiator computing device102a. The share status may indicate a number of times the digital coupon x has been shared, such as shared 1 time. In operation609, the advertisement server may update the value of the digital coupon x if it has been changed. The new value is assigned and reflected at the recipient computing device102b. The new value of the digital coupon x at the recipient computing device is B. In operation610, the value of the digital coupon x is updated to reflect the new value B. Further, the digital coupon having value B may be associated with the recipient computing device102b. The share status is reflected to indicate that the digital coupon x with value B is owned by the recipient computing device102b.

In operation611, the advertisement server120calculates a consideration for the initiator user104responsive to sharing the digital coupon x. In operation612, the consideration is provided to the initiator user104and the consideration is updated at the virtual wallet112of the initiator user104.

In an example embodiment, John Doe acquires a digital coupon110aassociated with merchant XYZ using his John Doe's smart phone (e.g., initiator computing device102a). John Doe may have downloaded the digital coupon110ausing John Doe's desktop and saved it in his virtual wallet application. The virtual wallet application can be installed on multiple data processing devices. Further, the virtual wallet application can be a client instantiation of an online storage server114. Saving the digital coupon in the virtual wallet application residing in John Doe's desktop can result in saving the digital coupon in the online storage server114. John Doe can access the digital coupon110astored in the online storage server114through his smart phone (e.g., initiator computing device102a) or any other device that has the virtual wallet application. The online storage server114may be a cloud based server. Once the digital coupon110ais stored in the online storage server114, an advertisement server120may be notified that the digital coupon110ahas been acquired. The advertisement server120may be associated with the merchant XYZ and/or a third party ABC. Further, the advertisement server120can be a cloud based server. The advertisement server120may include information associated with the digital coupon110athat John Doe has acquired, such as John Doe's user information, the merchant XYZ associated with the digital coupon110aand/or the value of the digital coupon110a. The value of the digital coupon110aacquired by John Doe may be a free espresso from any retail outlet of the merchant XYZ.

Once John Doe acquires the digital coupon110a, the smart phone (e.g., initiator computing device102a) may prompt John Doe to share and/or redeem the digital coupon110a. John Doe may be presented with a list of users through his smart phone, with whom John Doe may share the digital coupon110a. In one embodiment, the list of users may be selected based on the digital coupon110aand/or the effectiveness of the users. For example, the digital coupon110ais associated with coffee (e.g., espresso), so the list of users presented to John Doe may include users who like coffee or are appropriately associated with coffee. Further, the digital coupon110ais associated with merchant XYZ, so the list of users can be customized to include users that are appropriately associated (e.g., likes) with merchant XYZ. In addition, the list of users can be customized to include users that have most effectively re-shared digital coupons in the past. Such information of effectiveness of the users may be available at the advertisement server120. When the advertisement server120is notified that the digital coupon has been acquired by John Doe, the list of users and other related information may be transmitted to John Doe's smart phone (e.g., initiator computing device102a). In one embodiment, the users may be registered with the advertisement server120. If John Doe is not a registered user, John Doe may be prompted through the smart phone (e.g., initiator computing device102a) to register with the advertisement server120.

In one embodiment, John Doe can choose to share the digital coupon110awith one or more users from the list of users. In another embodiment, John Doe can chose to share the digital coupon with any appropriate user external to the list of users. In the example embodiment, the list of users include Jane Roe and other users. John Doe may choose to share the digital coupon110awith Jane Roe.

In one embodiment, John Doe's smart phone can send a notify signal to the advertisement server120. The advertisement server120can calculate a second value of the digital coupon110a. The second value of the digital coupon110ais a $10 gift coupon associated with merchant XYZ. The second value may be assigned to the digital coupon110abefore it is transmitted to Jane Roe. The assignment may happen at the advertisement server120or at John Doe's smart phone (e.g., initiator computing device102a). The digital coupon110ahaving the second value can be transmitted to Jane Roe's smart phone (e.g., recipient computing device102b) over an NFC link (e.g., peer to peer wireless communication link108).

In another embodiment, John Doe's smart phone can establish an NFC link (e.g., peer to peer communication link108) with Jane Doe's smart phone (e.g., recipient computing device102b). Further, the digital coupon110ahaving the first value can be transmitted to Jane Roe's smart phone over the NFC link. Jane Roe's smart phone (e.g., recipient computing device102b) may send an acknowledgment to John Doe's smart phone (e.g., initiator computing device102a). Jane Roe's smart phone may automatically save the digital coupon110ain the virtual wallet application. John Doe's smart phone (e.g., initiator computing device102a) can send a share signal402to the advertisement server120. The advertisement server120can calculate the second value and assign the second value to the digital coupon stored in Jane Roe's virtual wallet. In one embodiment, the second value may be transmitted to Jane Roe's smart phone (e.g., recipient computing device102b) and the second value may be assigned to the digital coupon110abefore saving it in Jane Roe's virtual wallet.

The share signal and/or the notify signal can include logging information that can be used by the advertisement server120to generate statistics associated with the marketing of the digital coupon110a. In one embodiment, the logging information can be embedded in the digital coupon110athat is transmitted between John Doe and Jane Roe. The logging information may be embedded by the John Doe's smart phone (e.g., initiator computing device102a).

Once the digital coupon has been received by Jane Roe, the advertisement server may provide a consideration to John Doe. In the example embodiment, the consideration may be 2 free espressos from any retail outlet of merchant XYZ. If Jane Roe redeems the digital coupon110ahaving the second value, then the consideration provided to John Doe may be of a higher value such as 2 free espressos and a $10 gift card associated with the merchant XYZ.

Using Jane Roe's smart phone, Jane Roe can be prompted to share the digital coupon110ahaving a second value with another user. Jane Roe may be presented with a list of users including John Roe and other users. Jane Roe can transmit the digital coupon110ahaving second value with John Roe's smart phone (e.g., second recipient computing device102c) over an NFC link or any appropriate communication link. As per the description in the foregoing paragraphs, John Roe may receive the digital coupon110ahaving a third value. In some embodiment, the first, second and/or third values may be the same. Once John Roe receives the digital coupon, Jane Roe (e.g., recipient user106a) and John Doe (e.g., initiator user104) may receive appropriate considerations responsive to Jane Roe sharing the digital coupon110awith John Roe. In the example embodiment, the consideration provided to Jane Roe can be 10 hours of free Wi-Fi connectivity at any store of merchant XYZ.

The terms “invention,” “the invention,” “this invention,” and “the present invention,” as used herein, intend to refer broadly to all disclosed subject matter and teaching, and recitations containing these terms should not be misconstrued as limiting the subject matter taught herein or to limit the meaning or scope of the claims. From the description of the exemplary embodiments, equivalents of the elements shown therein will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and ways of constructing other embodiments of the present invention will appear to practitioners of the art. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the claims that follow.

In addition, it will be appreciated that the various operations, processes, and methods disclosed herein may be embodied in a machine-readable medium and/or a machine accessible medium compatible with a data processing system (e.g., a computer system), and may be performed in any order (e.g., including using means for achieving the various operations). Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.