Abstract:
Various systems, methods, and apparatuses are described for facilitating a customer transaction via a point-of-sale terminal. One example system may comprise a point-of-sale terminal for facilitating a customer transaction. The system may further comprise a receipt printer for printing a receipt associated with the customer transaction. The printer may be built into the point-of-sale terminal. The point-of-sale terminal may be configured to be positioned on a substantially horizontal surface elevated above the ground. Similar and related methods, apparatuses, systems, and computer program products are also provided.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The advancement of technology has broadened the capabilities of devices, creating opportunities for new and advanced solutions to common problems. Establishments, such as retailers and food service providers, want to provide fast, reliable service to their customers using the latest technologies. Even smaller businesses with fewer resources and less business certainty want to provide the same technologically enabled service to their customers. Today&#39;s systems, however, are often cost-prohibitive and generally require many separate components to function, such as monitors, computers, cash drawers, printers, and more. Aside from posing financial challenges to smaller businesses to get these technologies purchased and running, the systems often take up a large amount of space within the establishment. Many small businesses do not have enough real estate for such bulky, unwieldy systems, let alone for multiple stations. 
         [0002]    Accordingly, it may be desirable to provide a low-cost, small footprint, point-of-sale system that avoids the above, and other, drawbacks associated with the current art. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for facilitating a customer transaction via a point-of-sale terminal. 
         [0004]    An example system may comprise a point-of-sale terminal for facilitating a customer transaction. The system may further comprise a receipt printer for printing a receipt associated with the customer transaction. The printer may be built into the point-of-sale terminal. The point-of-sale terminal may be configured to be positioned on a substantially horizontal surface elevated above the ground. 
         [0005]    An example point-of-sale terminal for facilitating a customer transaction may comprise a display, a computer for operating point-of-sale software, a printer for printing a receipt related to the customer transaction, and a body configured to internally house the computer and the printer. The body may comprise a curved front face. The display may be mounted to the curved front face of the body for displaying at least one interface of the point-of-sale software to a user operating the point-of-sale terminal. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  provides an illustration of a front perspective of one embodiment of a system that can be used to practice various aspects of the present invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  provides an illustration of a rear perspective of one embodiment of a system that can be used to practice various aspects of the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  provides an illustration of a front perspective of one embodiment of a point-of-sale terminal that can be used to practice various aspects of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  provides an illustration of a rear perspective of one embodiment of a point-of-sale terminal that can be used to practice various aspects of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  provides an illustration of a front perspective of one embodiment of a customer display device that can be used to practice various aspects of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  provides an illustration of a rear perspective of one embodiment of a customer display device that can be used to practice various aspects of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  provides a schematic diagram of a generic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    Various embodiments of the present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the inventions are shown. Indeed, these inventions may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. The term “or” is used herein in both the alternative and conjunctive sense, unless otherwise indicated. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. 
         [0015]    Various embodiments of the present invention provide for a point-of-sale system that is low-cost, multi-functional, and space-conserving. Some embodiments provide a single point-of-sale terminal comprising a computer, display, card reader, and built-in printer. Other embodiments further include a separate customer display device for providing transaction information to, and receiving payment for the transaction from, a customer. 
         [0016]      FIGS. 1 and 2  provide an illustration of a system  10  according to various embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted that other system architectures are contemplated that may be used to practice various aspects of the invention. Thus, the system  10  provided in  FIGS. 1 and 2  is for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention. Further, while  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate certain system entities as separate, standalone entities, the various embodiments are not limited to this particular architecture. 
         [0017]    An example system  10  may comprise a point-of-sale terminal  12  and, in certain instances, a customer display device  14 . The point-of-sale terminal  12  may be in communication with the customer display device  14 , for example via a wired or wireless connection. 
         [0018]    In example embodiments, system  10  may comprise one or more additional peripheral components, such as a cash drawer, scanner (e.g., bar code scanner), external printer, currency and/or coin acceptor, or the like. 
         [0019]    The point-of-sale terminal  12 , as depicted in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , may comprise various components, such as a display  20 , a body  30 , a built-in printer  40 , and/or a card reader  50 . The point-of-sale terminal  12  may operate as an assisted-service and/or self-service terminal. 
         [0020]    The display  20  may comprise a screen  22 . The screen  22  may be a liquid crystal display or the like. In example embodiments, the screen  22  may comprise a touch screen (e.g., a capacitive touch screen). The screen  22  of the display  20  may be surrounded in part or in whole by a border  24 . The screen may further be surrounded in part or in whole by a bezel  28 . In some embodiments, the display may further comprise a camera  26  (e.g., a video camera, web camera, and/or the like) for capturing images and/or video. 
         [0021]    As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the front face of the body  30  may be angled backwards, in some instances in a curved fashion. In example embodiments, the curvature of the front face of the body  30  may be such that the top of the front face contacts the top of the rear face of the body  30 . In these embodiments, the front face of the body  30  may also serve as the top face, and the body  30  may not have a separate top face. The rear and side faces of the body  30  may be substantially vertical or, in certain embodiments, slightly angled or curved off vertical. The bottom face of the body  30  may be substantially flat and horizontal. 
         [0022]    The bottom side of the body  30  may comprise one or more connection ports  36  (not visible in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ) for connecting one or more cables. For example, the connection ports  36  may comprise power cable ports, universal serial bus (USB) ports, display ports, mini display ports, custom ports (e.g., combined power/display ports, touch display ports), and/or the like. The connection ports  36  may be hidden from view. For example, the connection ports  36  may be positioned under or on the bottom side of the body  30  or base  34  such that the connection ports  36  may not be seen. In these embodiments, only the cable  68  inserted into a connection port  36  may be viewed extending out of the aperture  32 , but the connection port  36  itself may not be viewable. 
         [0023]    The body  30  may further comprise a base  34  for supporting the body  30 . The base  34  may extend horizontally beyond one or more edges (e.g., front, rear, sides) of the bottom of the body  30 . The base  34  may be integral with the body or partially or completely separate. The rear of the base  34  may comprise an opening  32  to permit one or more cables to reach the connection ports  36  on the bottom side of the body  30 . In this regard, the opening  32  may be formed such that one or more cables are permitted to exit from within or underneath the point-of-sale terminal  12  while the point-of-sale terminal  12  remains flat on a surface. 
         [0024]    The body  30  may support the display  20 . In this regard, the display  20  may be fixedly mounted to a portion of the body  30 . For example, the display  20  may be mounted to a curved portion of the front face of the body  30 . The display  20  may be mounted to the body  30  such that the display is angled forward and upwards. The angle that the display is mounted to the body  30  may be selected to permit a user of the point-of-sale terminal  12  to comfortably view the display  20 . In some embodiments, the angle at which the display  20  is mounted to the body  30  may be adjustable in one or more directions (e.g., tilted or shifted up, down, left, right). In yet other embodiments, the display  20  may be detachably mounted to the body  30 . In these embodiments, the body  30  may comprise a fixed, and in some instances adjustable, mount into which the display  20  may be attached and/or detached. 
         [0025]    The body  30  may comprise a housing containing one or more internal components. For example, the body  30  may house a computer and associated components (e.g., processor, memory, and/or the like) for operating the point-of-sale terminal  12 . 
         [0026]    The body  30  may further comprise a built-in printer  40 . In this regard, the body  30  may comprise an opening  38  for housing the built-in printer  40 . In some instances, the opening  38  may further comprise a recessed portion to permit access to a latch  44  of the door  42  of the built-in printer  40 . In various embodiments, the face of the built-in printer  40  may be flush with the front surface of the body  30  of the point-of-sale terminal  12 . 
         [0027]    The built-in printer  40  may comprise a door  42 , a latch  44 , a receipt port  45 , and/or a panel  46  comprising one or more indicators  48  and/or buttons  49 . 
         [0028]    The door  42  may be transparent (e.g., clear), translucent, or opaque. The latch  44  may be used to open and close the door  44 , for example to access a roll of receipt paper contained within. 
         [0029]    The receipt port  45  may comprise an opening port where a printed receipt may be fed external to the built-in printer  40 . In some instances, the receipt port  45  may comprise a cutting mechanism (e.g., a serrated blade) to facilitate tearing a protruding printed receipt from the roll of receipt paper. 
         [0030]    The panel  46  may comprise one or more indicators  48  and/or buttons  49 . The indicators  48  may provide a visual indication. For example, the indicator  48  may comprise a light emitting diode (LED) to provide a visual indication. The indicators  48  may indicate a status of the point-of-sale terminal  12  and/or the built-in printer  40 , for example a power status and/or an error status. The buttons  49  may provide for controlling an aspect of the built-in printer  40 . For example, the buttons  49  may comprise a feed button for initiating a feed of receipt paper through the receipt port  45 . 
         [0031]    The point-of-sale terminal  12  may comprise a card reader  50 . In some embodiments, the card reader  50  may be mounted to the display  20 . In other embodiments, the card reader  50  may be separate from the point-of-sale terminal  12 . The card reader  50  may comprise a magnetic stripe reader, smart card reader, and/or the like. 
         [0032]    As depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the system  10  may comprise a customer display device  14 . The customer display device  14 , as depicted in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , may comprise a housing  60 , screen  62 , a card reader  64 , a cable opening  66 , and/or a cable  68 . In some embodiments, the customer display device  14  may comprise additional peripherals, such as a stylus. 
         [0033]    The housing  60  of the customer display device  14  may contain one or more internal components. For example, the housing  60  may house a computer and associated components (e.g., processor, memory, and/or the like) for operating the customer display device  14 . The housing may comprise a cable opening  66  or a receded portion for permitting a cable to exit from within or underneath the customer display device  14  while the customer display device  14  remains flat on a surface. 
         [0034]    The screen  62  of the customer display device  14  may comprise a touch screen (e.g., a capacitive touch screen). The screen  62  of the customer display device  14  may be surrounded in part or in whole by a border. In some embodiments, the screen  62  may comprise a signature capture region. 
         [0035]    The card reader  64  of the customer display device  14  may be mounted to the housing  60 . For example, the card reader  64  may be mounted to a rear portion or top portion of the housing  60 . In other embodiments, the card reader  64  may be an integral part of the housing  60 . In yet other embodiments, the card reader  64  may be separate from the customer display device  14 . The card reader  64  may comprise a magnetic stripe reader, smart card reader, and/or the like. 
         [0036]    The point-of-sale terminal  12  may be configured for use at a retail, hospitality, financial, or other establishment or business location. In example embodiments, the point-of-sale terminal  12  may be conveniently positioned on a substantially horizontal surface, such as a tabletop or countertop, to permit an employee of the establishment to operate the point-of-sale terminal  12 . In this regard, the point-of-sale terminal  12  may have a sufficiently small footprint to be positioned in such a location. The point-of-sale terminal  12  may be portable. In some instances, the point-of-sale terminal  12  may be positioned atop a cash drawer that itself is located on a table or counter top. The point-of-sale terminal  12  may be oriented towards the employee to facilitate interaction between the employee and the point-of-sale terminal  12 . 
         [0037]    The point-of-sale terminal  12  and/or customer display device  14  may be equipped with features to secure the devices to their position. For example, the point-of-sale terminal  12  and/or customer display device  14  may be equipped with internal or external magnets on the bottom of the device to secure the device to a substantially horizontal surface, such as a table top, counter top, stand, cash drawer, and/or the like. 
         [0038]    One or more of the indicators  48  of the panel  46  may be configured to indicate when the point-of-sale terminal  12  is powered on or off. 
         [0039]    During operation, the point-of-sale terminal  12  may be configured to execute and operate software. The software may include operating system software (e.g., Apple iOS®, Google Android™, Microsoft Windows®, and/or the like) as well as application software, such as point-of-sale software. In example embodiments, the computer and associated components (e.g., processor, memory, and/or the like) of the point-of-sale terminal  12  may be configured to operate and execute, as well as provide the functionality of, the software. 
         [0040]    The point-of-sale terminal  12  may be configured to display the software and its associated interfaces on the screen  22 . A user of the point-of-sale terminal  12  (e.g., an employee) may interact with and/or provide input to the software using the touch screen functionality of the screen  22 . In some embodiments, the point-of-sale terminal  12  may receive additional input from a user via associated peripherals, such as a keyboard, mouse, touchpad, and/or the like. 
         [0041]    The point-of-sale terminal  12  may permit a user to conduct a transaction for a customer, for example for the sale of one or more items or services. In this regard, the point-of-sale terminal  12  may be configured to receive input associated with the transaction from the user. In some embodiments, the point-of-sale terminal  12  may receive input from the user via the touch screen  22 . The point-of-sale terminal  12  may receive input from the user via an external (e.g., peripheral) device, such as a bar code scanner connected to or in communication with the point-of-sale terminal  12 . 
         [0042]    After receiving input related to the transaction from the user, the point-of-sale terminal  12  may prepare for payment by a customer for the transaction. In this regard, the point-of-sale terminal  12  may be configured to accept payment for the transaction. For example, the card reader  50  of the point-of-sale terminal  12  may be configured to read different types of cards (e.g., debit cards, credit cards, gift cards, loyalty cards, and/or the like) to accept payment information of the customer for completing the transaction. The card reader  50  may obtain the customer payment information by reading a magnetic stripe of the card or communicating with the card via short range communication (e.g., via Bluetooth™, WiFi, near field communication (NFC), and/or the like). The card reader  50  may interact with the customer&#39;s card in a secure fashion. 
         [0043]    In various embodiments, the point-of-sale terminal  12  may be configured to generate a receipt for the transaction. In this regard, the point-of-sale terminal  12  may execute software for generating the receipt information. In some embodiments, the point-of-sale terminal  12  may generate multiple receipts. For example, the point-of-sale terminal  12  may generate a first receipt to be signed by the customer and maintained by the user of the point-of-sale terminal  12 , and a second receipt for the customer to keep for his or her records. 
         [0044]    The built-in printer  40  of the point-of-sale terminal  12  may print the receipt information on receipt paper contained within the point-of-sale terminal  12 . The printed receipt may be expelled from the point-of-sale terminal  12  via the receipt port  45  and torn from the receipt paper roll using the cutting mechanism of the built-in printer  40 . 
         [0045]    An indicator  48  on the panel  46  of the point-of-sale terminal  12  may provide an indication of the power status (e.g., on or off) of the built-in printer  40 . In some instances, a button  49  on the panel  46  may provide for toggling the power of the built-in printer  40  on and/or off. In an instance in which the point-of-sale terminal  12  or built-in printer  40  detects an error, the point-of-sale terminal  12  may be configured to indicate the error via an indicator  48  on the panel  46 . For example, the built-in printer  40  may detect that it has run out of receipt paper. In this instance, the user may use the latch  44  to open door  42  and replace the receipt paper. In example embodiments, the user may press a button  49  (e.g., a feed button) on the panel  46  to feed the receipt paper through the receipt port  45 . 
         [0046]    According to various embodiments, operation of the system  10  may be improved by the inclusion of a customer display device  14 . The customer display device  14  may provide a customer the opportunity to interact with the system  10  and to monitor the transaction conducted by the user of the point-of-sale terminal  12  during operation. In this regard, the customer display device  14  may be oriented toward a customer to facilitate the customer&#39;s interactions and monitoring. For example, when a customer is facing the user of the point-of-sale terminal  12  (e.g., an employee), the customer display device  14  may be oriented approximately 180 degrees opposite the orientation of the point-of-sale terminal  12  along the horizontal axis, as depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         [0047]    The screen  62  of the customer display device  14  may be configured to display information corresponding to or relating to the transaction conducted on the associated point-of-sale terminal  12 . For example, the screen  62  may display the items or services being input into the point-of-sale terminal  12 , the associated and summed prices, discounts, loyalty information, tax, and/or the like. 
         [0048]    After input related to the transaction has been entered by the user of the point-of-sale terminal  12 , the customer display device  14  may be configured to facilitate a customer paying for the transaction, inputting coupon and/or loyalty information, and/or the like. The customer display device  14  may permit a customer to select a method of payment, for example using a touch screen portion of the screen  62  or, in some instances, a stylus. 
         [0049]    The card reader  62  of the customer display device  14  may be configured to read different types of cards (e.g., debit cards, credit cards, gift cards, loyalty cards, and/or the like) to accept payment information of the customer for completing the transaction. The card reader  62  may obtain the customer payment information by reading a magnetic stripe of the card or communicating with the card via short range communication (e.g., via Bluetooth™, WiFi, near field communication (NFC), and/or the like). The card reader  62  may interact with the customer&#39;s card in a secure fashion. 
         [0050]    The screen  62  of the customer display device  14  may be configured to accept additional information from the customer related to the payment method. In some embodiments, the screen  62  may permit a customer to enter a personal identification number (PIN), zip code, and/or the like to confirm the customer&#39;s identity or authorization to use the method of payment provided. The screen  62  of the customer display device  14  may be further configured to accept a signature of the customer. Customer input may be received via a touch screen portion of the screen  62 , or in some instances, via a stylus. In other embodiments, the customer signature may be received on a physical receipt at another time during the transaction. 
         [0051]    The customer display device  14  may transmit customer input and/or receive transaction information to/from the point-of-sale terminal  12 . In this regard, the point-of-sale terminal  12  and customer display device  14  may communicate via a connection between the two devices. For example, a cable  68  may connect the point-of-sale terminal  12  and the customer display device  14  to provide a communications channel. In another example, the point-of-sale terminal  12  and customer display device  14  may establish a wireless connection between each other to communicate. 
         [0052]    In example embodiments, the connection between the point-of-sale terminal  12  and the customer display device  14  may provide power to the customer display device  14  from the point-of-sale terminal  12 . Such capability may be in addition to the ability to transfer data over the connection, and in some instances both power and data may be carried over the same cable  68 . The connection may permit the customer display device  14  to determine when to power on or off. For example, the customer display device  14  may be configured to use a power detector to determine when to power on or off. In some instances, a special sequence between the two devices may enable the customer display device  14  to determine when to power on or off. 
         [0053]    Although the present invention has been described with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, variations and modifications of the present invention can be effected within the spirit and scope of the following claims. 
         [0054]    Numerous benefits may be realized from the implementation of embodiments of the present invention. Various advantageous embodiments provide a low-cost point-of-sale system having a single, multi-functional terminal with a small footprint and requiring few to no additional peripheral devices to fully handle customer transactions. That is, a retailer may input a customer transaction, complete the transaction, receive payment from the customer for the transaction, and print a receipt for the customer using the same countertop terminal. In doing so, retailers may reduce the amount of space, cabling, and setup required for operating a point-of-sale system. In advantageous embodiments, any additional connections may be hidden from view providing a safer, less cluttered, and more aesthetically pleasing system. In other advantageous embodiments, the compact nature of the point-of-sale system may allow it to be positioned at, and easily moved around, many locations, such as on a counter top, table top, stand, cash drawer, shelf, or a small or confined location. Some advantageous embodiments may further include a customer display device for providing transaction information to, and receiving payment for the transaction from, a customer. 
         [0055]    The operations of the methods described herein may be carried out in any suitable order, or simultaneously where appropriate. The methods described herein may be performed by software in machine readable form on a tangible storage medium or as a propagating signal. 
         [0056]    In various embodiments, a point-of-sale terminal  12  and/or a customer display device  14  may be embodied as or otherwise include an apparatus  700  as generically represented by the block diagram of  FIG. 7 . In the example embodiment, the apparatus  700  may comprise various means for performing the various functions herein described. These means may comprise one or more of a processor  710 , memory  712 , communication interface  714 , user interface  716 , or specialized circuitry  718 . The various means may be in communication with one another, such as via a bus. 
         [0057]    The means of the apparatus  700  as described herein may be embodied as, for example, circuitry, hardware elements (e.g., a suitably programmed processor, combinational logic circuit, and/or the like), a computer program product comprising computer-readable program instructions (e.g., software or firmware) stored on a computer-readable medium (e.g., memory  712 ) that is executable by a suitably configured processing device (e.g., the processor  710 ), or some combination thereof. In some example embodiments, the processor  710 , memory  712 , communication interface  714 , user interface  716 , and/or specialized circuitry  718  may be embodied as a chip or chip set. 
         [0058]    The processor  710  may, for example, be embodied as various means including circuitry, one or more microprocessors with accompanying digital signal processor(s), one or more processor(s) without an accompanying digital signal processor, one or more coprocessors, one or more multi-core processors, one or more controllers, one or more computers, various other processing elements including integrated circuits such as, for example, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit) or FPGA (field programmable gate array), one or more other hardware processors, or some combination thereof. Although illustrated in  FIG. 7  as a single processor, in some embodiments the processor  710  may comprise a plurality of processors. The plurality of processors may be in operative communication with each other and may be collectively configured to perform one or more functionalities of the apparatus  700  as described herein. The plurality of processors may be embodied on a single device or distributed across a plurality of devices collectively configured to function as the apparatus  700 . 
         [0059]    In some example embodiments, the processor  710  may be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory  712  or memory otherwise accessible to the processor  710 . These instructions, when executed by the processor  710 , may cause the apparatus  700  to perform one or more of the functionalities of the apparatus  700  as described herein. Further, the processor  710  may comprise functionality to operate one or more software programs, which may be stored in memory. For example, the processor  710  may be capable of operating a connectivity program, such as a web browser. The connectivity program may allow the apparatus  700  to transmit and receive web content, such as location-based content, according to a protocol, such as Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), and/or the like. The apparatus  700  may be capable of using protocol(s), such as Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), to transmit and receive web content across the internet or other networks. 
         [0060]    The memory  712  may comprise, for example, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, or some combination thereof. In this regard, the memory  712  may comprise one or more tangible and/or non-transitory computer-readable storage media that may include volatile and/or non-volatile memory. Although illustrated in  FIG. 7  as a single memory, the memory  712  may comprise a plurality of memories. The plurality of memories may be embodied on a single device or may be distributed across a plurality of devices collectively configured to function as the apparatus  700 . In various example embodiments, the memory  712  may comprise a magnetic storage device (e.g., hard disk), dynamic and/or static random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), cache memory, flash memory, optical disc, subscriber identity module (SIM), removable user identity module (R-UIM), circuitry configured to store information, or some combination thereof. The memory  712  may be configured to store information, data, applications (e.g., software programs), instructions, and/or the like, in some instances for execution by the processor  710 , for enabling the apparatus  700  to carry out various functions in accordance with various example embodiments. 
         [0061]    The communication interface  714  may be embodied as any device or means embodied in circuitry, hardware, a computer program product comprising computer readable program instructions stored on a computer readable medium (for example, the memory  712 ) and executed by a processing device (for example, the processor  710 ), or a combination thereof that is configured to receive and/or transmit data from/to another computing device. The communication interface  714  may include, for example, an antenna, a transmitter, a receiver, a transceiver, and/or supporting hardware or software for enabling communications with one or more remote devices. The communication interface  714  may be configured to receive and/or transmit data using any protocol that may be used for communications between devices. 
         [0062]    The user interface  716  may be in communication with the processor  710  to receive an indication of a user input and/or to provide an audible, visual, mechanical, or other output to a user. As such, the user interface  716  may include, for example, a keyboard, keypad, scanner, printer, mouse, joystick, display (e.g., touch screen display), microphone, speaker, and/or other input/output mechanisms. The processor  710  and/or user interface circuitry comprising the processor  710  may be configured to control one or more functions of the user interface  716  through computer program instructions (e.g., software and/or firmware) stored on memory (e.g., memory  712 ) accessible to the processor  710 . 
         [0063]    The specialized circuitry  718  may be embodied as various means, such as circuitry, hardware, a computer program product comprising computer readable program instructions stored on a computer readable medium (for example, the memory  712 ) and executed by a processing device (for example, the processor  710 ), or some combination thereof and, in some embodiments, is embodied as or otherwise controlled by the processor  710 . 
         [0064]    Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe example embodiments in the context of certain example combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and/or functions other than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.