Abstract:
A system for collecting and managing wind speed data via an external communications network comprises one or more wind stations, each including an anemometer producing wind speed signals, a station computing device converting the signals to wind speed data, a station memory securely storing the wind speed data on site and a station communication interface transmitting the wind speed data onto an external network. The system further comprises one or more data servers, each including a server computing device, a server communication interface receiving the wind speed data from the wind stations and a server memory storing the received wind speed data. The data server can determine if the received wind speed data satisfies predetermined conditions for certification and/or triggering a payout in accordance with a contract, and can thereafter transmit the appropriate data signals to another location on the external communications network.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/239,072, filed Oct. 8, 2015, entitled METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND MEDIA FOR MANAGING WIND SPEED DATA (Atty. Dkt. No. BDMR-33047), the specification of which is incorporated herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The disclosed subject matter relates to methods, systems, and media for managing wind speed data. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Devices such as anemometers for the measurement of wind speeds are known, and devices for recording wind speed data are also know. Recorded wind speed data from such devices may be valuable for resolving insurance claims resulting from storm damage. However, during severe weather, or in the aftermath of severe storms, the recording of wind speeds may be interrupted and/or the recorded wind speed data may be lost due to physical damage, lightning strikes, water intrusion, power loss, looting, vandalism or other causes adversely affecting the wind speed measurement and recording devices and/or the media upon which the wind speed data is stored. A need therefore exists, for methods, systems and media for managing wind speed data that are more resistant to damage, interruption and/or data loss during and after severe weather. 
         [0004]    Even when recorded wind speed data remains intact, following a severe storm it may be difficult to obtain access to the locations where the recorded wind speed data is stored. This can result in delays in obtaining recorded wind speed data, which in turn can delay the resolution of insurance claims resulting from storm damage. A need therefore exists, for methods, systems and media for managing wind speed data that can transfer the wind speed data in a timely manner from the associated wind measurement stations to remote locations where the data can be evaluated. A need further exists, for methods, systems and media for managing wind speed data that can evaluate wind speed data to determine if certification of the wind speed data is indicated and/or to determine if payment under a contract is indicated. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    In some embodiments a wind speed data system can gather wind speed data from an anemometer located at a wind speed station, store the wind speed data on a storage device located at the wind speed station, and transmit the wind speed data to a data server such that the wind speed data can be stored redundantly and protected from data loss resulting from storms or other causes of data loss. 
         [0006]    In some other embodiments, a storage device located at the wind speed station can be protected within a housing located below ground. For example, the storage device can be protected by a waterproof, damage resistant housing that can detach from the other components of the wind station in the event of damage being caused to the wind station by excessive wind speeds or other forces. 
         [0007]    In still other embodiments, the gathered wind speed data can be used to create a wind speed damage model such that whenever excessive wind speeds are detected at a wind station, an amount of property damage can be estimated based on the wind speeds detected and the wind speed damage model. 
         [0008]    In another aspect, a wind station system for collecting and managing wind speed data at a geographic location having a ground level is provided, the system comprising a wind-resistant pole disposed at the geographic location, the pole having a base portion disposed below the ground level and a riser portion extending upward from the base portion. An anemometer is mounted on the riser portion of the pole above the ground level, the anemometer producing wind speed signals indicative of wind speed at the anemometer. A computing device is operatively connected to the anemometer for the receiving the wind speed signals from the anemometer and producing wind speed data corresponding to the received wind speed signals. A housing is disposed at the geographic location but physically separated from both the pole and the anemometer and a storage device is disposed inside the housing and operatively connected to the computing device for receiving wind speed data from the computing device and storing the wind speed data. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment, the housing containing the storage device is waterproof and disposed below the ground level. 
         [0010]    In another embodiment, the wind station system further comprises an electrical storage battery disposed at the geographic location and operatively connected to at least one of the anemometer, computing device and storage device for supplying electrical power thereto, and a photovoltaic solar panel disposed at the geographic location and operatively connected to the storage battery for charging the storage battery with electrical power. 
         [0011]    In yet another embodiment, the operatively connecting between the computing device and the storage device for communication of the wind speed data from the computing device to the storage device is accomplished by a wireless connection. 
         [0012]    In a further embodiment, the wireless connection for communication of the wind speed data from the computing device to the storage device is one of cellular mobile device network, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and near field communication. 
         [0013]    In a still further embodiment, the computing device further comprises a communication interface adapted to transmit wind speed data from the storage device to another location using an external communication network. 
         [0014]    In another embodiment, the storage device includes a memory for storing the wind speed data, and the memory is at least one of a random access memory, a read-only memory, a flash memory, a hard disk drive, a solid-state drive, a removable memory card, a removable USB memory stick, and an optical drive and optical media. 
         [0015]    In another aspect, a system for collecting and managing wind speed data via an external communications network is provided. The system comprises one or more wind station, each respective wind station being disposed at a respective wind station location and including, respectively, an anemometer disposed at the respective wind station location and producing wind speed signals indicative of wind speeds at the respective wind station location, a station computing device disposed at the respective wind station location and operatively connected to the anemometer for receiving the wind speed signals and producing wind speed data corresponding to the wind speed signals, a station memory disposed at the respective wind station location and operatively connected to the station computing device for storing the wind speed data, and a station communication interface disposed at the respective wind station location, the station communication interface being operatively connected to the station computing device to receive wind speed data therefrom, and being operatively connected to an external communication network to the transmit wind speed data to the external communications network. The system further comprises one or more data server, each respective data server being disposed at a respective data server location and including, respectively, a server computing device disposed at the respective data server location, a server communication interface disposed at the respective data server location, the server communication interface being operatively connected to the external communication network to receive respective wind speed data from the one or more wind stations and operatively connected to the server computing device to provide the received respective wind speed data to the server computing device, and a server memory disposed at the respective data server location and operatively connected to the server computing device for storing the received respective wind speed data. The one or more data server can transmit the stored received respective wind speed data to another location on the external communications network. 
         [0016]    In one embodiment, the one or more wind station are further adapted to store a plurality of respective individual anemometer readings in the respective station memory over a predetermined time period, to convert the plurality the respective individual anemometer readings over the predetermined time period into a respective average wind speed for the predetermined time period, and to transmit the respective average wind speed for the predetermined time period to the one or more data server over the external communications network. 
         [0017]    In another embodiment, the one or more wind station are further adapted to store a plurality of respective individual anemometer readings in the respective station memory over a predetermined time period, to convert the plurality the respective individual anemometer readings over the predetermined time period into a respective maximum wind speed for the predetermined time period, and to transmit the respective maximum wind speed for the predetermined time period to the one or more data server over the external communications network. 
         [0018]    In yet another embodiment, the system further comprises one or more certification server, each respective certification server being disposed at a respective certification server location and including, respectively, a certification server computing device disposed at the respective certification server location and a certification server communication interface disposed at the respective certification server location, the certification server communication interface being operatively connected to the external communication network to receive respective wind speed data from the one or more data servers and operatively connected to the certification server computing device to provide the received respective wind speed data to the certification server computing device. Each of the one or more certification server can generate a respective data model, the respective data model comprising at least one of a historical storm model and a wind speed damage model. Each of the one or more certification server can generate a respective certification report based on the received respective wind speed data and the generated respective data models. The one or more certification server can transmit the generated respective certification report to another location on the external communications network. 
         [0019]    In a further embodiment, the system further comprises one or more payout server, each respective payout server being disposed at a respective payout server location and including, respectively, a payout server computing device disposed at the respective payout server location and a payout server communication interface disposed at the respective payout server location, the payout server communication interface being operatively connected to the external communication network to receive the respective certification reports from the one or more certification server and to provide the received respective certification reports to the payout server computing device. Each of the one or more payout server can determine if a received respective certification report satisfied the terms of a respective associated contract. 
         [0020]    In a still further embodiment, each of the one or more payout server, upon determining that the received respective certification report satisfies the terms of the respective associated contract, triggers a respective payout in accordance with the respective associated contract at another location by communicating over the external communication network. 
         [0021]    In yet another aspect, a method for collecting and managing wind speed data is provided. The method comprises measuring wind speeds at a one or more geographic location and producing respective wind speed signals indicative of the respective measured wind speeds at each respective one or more geographic location, wherein the respective wind speed signals are one of electric signals and electronic signals. The method further comprises converting respective wind speed signals into respective wind speed data at each respective one or more geographic location, wherein the respective wind speed data is digital data, storing the respective wind speed data at each respective one or more geographic location, wherein the respective wind speed data is stored in a digital data format, and transmitting the respective stored wind speed data at each respective one or more geographic location as digital data onto an external communications network. The method further comprises receiving, at one or more data server, the respective wind speed data as digital data for the respective one or more geographic location from the external communication network, storing the received respective wind speed data for the respective one or more geographic location on the one or more data server and determining, at the one or more data server, if the respective one or more wind speed data for each of the respective one or more geographic location are to be sent for certification. When it is determined that the one or more respective wind speed data for the respective one or more geographic location are to be sent for certification, the method further comprises transmitting the respective one or more wind speed data for the respective one or more geographic location as digital data onto an external communications network and receiving, at one or more certification server, the respective wind speed data for the respective one or more geographic location as digital data from the external communication network. 
         [0022]    In one embodiment, the method further comprises storing a plurality of the respective wind speed data for a particular one of the one or more geographic location over a predetermined time period, converting the stored plurality of the respective wind speed data for the particular one of the one or more geographic location over the predetermined time period into at least one of an average wind speed for the predetermined time period at the particular one of the one or more geographic location, and a maximum wind speed for the predetermined time period at the particular one of the one or more geographic location, and determining, for the predetermined time period at the particular one of the one or more geographic locations, if the respective average wind speed or maximum wind speed exceeds a predetermined threshold for the respective average wind speed or maximum wind speed. When it is determined that the respective average wind speed or maximum wind speed exceeded a predetermined threshold for the respective average wind speed or maximum wind speed, the method further comprises transmitting and alert signal as digital data to a user device using the external communications network. 
         [0023]    In another embodiment, the method further comprises generating, in response to receiving at the one or more certification server the respective wind speed data for the respective one or more geographic location from the external communication network, at least one of a historical storm model and a wind speed damage model, generating a certification report for the respective one or more geographic location based on both the respective wind speed data for the respective one or more geographic location and the at least one of generated historical storm model and wind speed damage model and transmitting the certification report for the respective one or more geographic location as digital data onto the external communications network. 
         [0024]    In yet another embodiment, the method further comprises determining, in response to receiving the certification report for the respective one or more geographic location from the external communication network, whether the terms of an associated contract are satisfied. When it is determined in response to receiving the certification report that the terms of an associated contract are satisfied, the method further comprises triggering a payout in accordance with the associated contract by communicating digital data onto the external communications network. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]    Various objects, features, and advantages of the disclosed subject matter can be more fully appreciated with reference to the following detailed description of the disclosed subject matter when considered in connection with the following drawings, in which like reference numerals identify like elements. 
           [0026]      FIG. 1  shows an example of a wind station system for managing wind speed data in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter; 
           [0027]      FIG. 1A  shows an enlarged view of an anemometer suitable for use in some embodiments of the wind station system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 2  shows an example of hardware for managing wind speed data that can be used in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter; 
           [0029]      FIG. 3  shows an example of hardware implemented as a computing device in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter; 
           [0030]      FIG. 4  shows an example of a process for managing wind speed data in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter; and 
           [0031]      FIG. 5  shows an example of a process for managing wind speed data including triggering wind speed payouts based on wind speed data in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0032]    In accordance with various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, mechanisms (which can include methods, systems, and media) for managing wind speed data are described herein. 
         [0033]    Referring now  FIG. 1 , there is illustrated an example of a wind station system  100  for managing wind speed data in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. In some embodiments, the wind station system  100  is disposed at a particular geographic location and manages wind speed data for winds occurring at the particular geographic location. As shown, in some embodiments, system  100  can include a lightning terminal  102 , an anemometer  104 , a solar panel  106 , a computing device  108 , a ground wire  110 , a pole  112 , a pole foundation  114 , a housing  116  and a storage device  118 . In some embodiments, all of these elements can be disposed at the particular geographic location, whereas in other embodiments, some of the elements may be disposed at different geographic locations. It should be understood that although only one of each of these elements is shown in  FIG. 1 , more than one of each of these elements can be used in some embodiments. 
         [0034]    In some embodiments, any lightning terminal  102  suitable for conducting the electric charge of a lightning strike away from other components can be used. For example, the lighting terminal  102  can comprise an electrically conductible rod, an electrically conductible wire, and/or any other electrically conductible part or assembly of parts. 
         [0035]    In some embodiments, the lightning terminal  102  can be connected to the ground wire  110  such that in the event of a lightning strike, the electric charge will be grounded to the earth  120 . In some embodiments, any suitable ground wire  110  can be used. For example, the ground wire  110  can be a copper wire, a shielded wire, an insulated wire and/or any other type of wire suitable for grounding an electric charge. 
         [0036]    In some embodiments, the ground wire  110  can be inserted at any suitable depth into the earth  120 . For example, a ground wire  110  can be inserted into the earth  120  to a depth of 20 feet below the ground level  113  (i.e., surface) at the location. 
         [0037]    Referring still to  FIG. 1 , and now also to  FIG. 1A , in some embodiments, any anemometer  104  suitable for measuring wind speeds can be used. For example, referring now specifically to  FIG. 1A , in the illustrated embodiment the anemometer  104  may include a propeller  122 . In some such embodiments, the anemometer  104  can produce an electrical signal when the propeller  122  is rotated by wind. In a more particular example, the propeller  122  can produce an AC sine wave electrical signal. In another more particular example, the propeller  122  can be configured to produce an electrical signal directly proportional to wind speed. The anemometer  104  may further include a tail assembly  124  and a swivel bearing  126  rotatably connected to the pole  112 , whereby the action of the wind on the tail assembly causes the anemometer to rotate horizontally on the swivel bearing to keep the propeller  122  facing into the wind. In some embodiments, the anemometer  104  can be implemented without a propeller using other moving apparatus, for example, moving cups, vanes, rotors and/or with non-moving apparatus, for example, a pitot tube assembly, to measure the wind speed. In other embodiments, the anemometer  104  can produce electrical signals (e.g., analog voltage, current, frequency or phase signals) or electronic signals (e.g., digital electric signals) proportional to the measured wind speed and/or indicative of the measured wind speed at the anemometer&#39;s geographic location. 
         [0038]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is illustrated one example of computer hardware  300  implemented as the computing device  108  in accordance with one embodiment. In some other embodiments, any suitable computing device  108  can be used. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the computer hardware  300  can include a hardware processor  302 , a memory and/or storage  304 , an input device controller  306 , an input device  308 , display/audio drivers  310 , display and audio output circuitry  312 , a communication interface(s)  314 , an antenna  316  and a bus  318 . 
         [0039]    The hardware processor  302  can include any suitable hardware processor, such as a microprocessor, a micro-controller, digital signal processor(s), dedicated logic, and/or any other suitable circuitry for controlling the functioning of a general purpose computer or a special purpose computer in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the hardware processor  302  can be controlled by a program stored in the memory and/or storage  304 . For example, the program can cause the hardware processor  302  to perform the mechanisms and/or processes described herein for managing wind speed data, and/or perform any other suitable actions. 
         [0040]    The memory and/or storage  304  can be any suitable memory and/or storage for storing application information, programs, data, and/or any other suitable information in some embodiments. For example, the memory and/or storage  304  can include random access memory (“RAM”), read-only memory (“ROM”), flash memory, hard disk storage, optical media and/or any other suitable memory. 
         [0041]    The input device controller  306  can be any suitable circuitry for controlling and receiving input from one or more input devices  308  in some embodiments. For example, the input device controller  306  can be circuitry for receiving input from a touchscreen, from a keyboard, from a mouse, from one or more buttons, from a voice recognition circuit, from a microphone, from a camera, from an optical sensor, from an accelerometer, from a temperature sensor, from a near field sensor, from a wind speed sensor (e.g., the anemometer  104  of  FIG. 1 ) and/or from any other type of input device. 
         [0042]    The display/audio drivers  310  can be any suitable circuitry for controlling and driving output to one or more display/audio output devices  312  in some embodiments. For example, the display/audio drivers  310  can be circuitry for driving a touchscreen, a flat-panel display, a cathode ray tube display, a projector, a speaker or speakers and/or any other suitable display and/or presentation devices. 
         [0043]    The communication interface(s)  314  can be any suitable circuitry for interfacing with one or more communication networks, such as the communication network  210  shown in  FIG. 2  and described below. For example, the interface(s)  314  can include network interface card circuitry, wireless communication circuitry and/or any other suitable type of communication network circuitry. The communication interface(s)  314  can also include circuitry for interfacing with external devices including the storage device  118  and/or the memory  130  for storing and/or retrieving wind speed data from the storage device and/or the memory. In some embodiments, the wind speed data can be stored in the storage device  118  and/or the memory  130  as digital data and/or can be transmitted to, or received from, the communication network  210  as digital data. 
         [0044]    The antenna  316  can be any of one or more suitable antennas for wirelessly communicating with a communication network (e.g., the communication network  210  of  FIG. 2  as described below) in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the antenna  316  can be omitted. 
         [0045]    The bus  318  can be any suitable mechanism for communicating between two or more components  302 ,  304 ,  306 ,  310  and  314  in some embodiments. The communication between the components of the computer hardware  300  along the data bus  318  can be implemented as digital data. 
         [0046]    Any other suitable components can be included in hardware  300  in accordance with some embodiments. 
         [0047]    Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the pole  112  can include a base portion disposed below the surface of the ground (i.e., below the ground level  113 ) and a riser portion extending upward from the base portion. In some embodiments, the base portion of the pole  112  can be supported by a pole foundation  114 . Any suitable pole foundation  114  can be used in some embodiments. For example, the pole foundation  114  can be implemented as stone (e.g., FDOT #57 stone) backfilled about the pole  112 . In some embodiments, the pole  112  may be a concrete pole or a steel pole. 
         [0048]    In some embodiments, the pole foundation  114  can be configured such that the pole  112  can sustain wind speeds of one hundred sixty miles per hour. For example, the pole foundation  114  can comprise a two and one-half foot diameter cylinder extending fourteen feet underground (i.e., below the surface of the ground) and configured such that the pole  11  above a one foot layer of the foundation material. 
         [0049]    In some embodiments, the housing  116  for the storage device  118  can be implemented as any housing suitable for underground containment. For example, the housing  116  can include any suitable waterproof material, or combination of waterproof materials such as rubber, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane, silicone rubber, and/or any other suitable waterproof material. As another example, the housing  116  can include any suitable non-waterproof material coated with a waterproof material. As a more particular example, the housing  116  can include a concrete housing coated with a bitumen membrane, a PVC membrane, a liquid rubber coating, an elastomeric coating, and/or any other coating material or method. As yet another example, the housing  116  can be any suitable safe (i.e., vault), which can be encased in cement to hold it in place. In preferred embodiments, the housing  116  is disposed below the ground level  113  to provide increased protection and security. 
         [0050]    In some embodiments, the housing  116  can include a security device  128 . For example, the housing  116  can include a safe/vault equipped with a locking device. As another example, the housing  116  can include a locking mechanism (e.g., a combination locking mechanism or a key locking mechanism). 
         [0051]    In some embodiments, the housing  116  can contain any suitable storage device  118 . For example, the storage device  118  can be any suitable memory  130  and/or storage for storing application information, programs, data and/or any other suitable information in some embodiments. The storage of the information, programs, data and/or other suitable information on the storage device  118  and/or the memory  130  can be implemented as digital data in any digital data format. As another example, the storage device  118  and memory  130  can include random access memory (“RAM”), read-only memory (“ROM”), flash memory, hard disk drive(s) (“MD”), solid-state drive(s) (“SSD”), memory card(s) (for example, but not limited to, “CompactFlash” cards, “SecureDigital” cards, “Memory Stick” cards), a removable USB memory stick, optical drives and optical media (for example, but not limited to, CD drives and CD discs, DVD drives and DVD discs, and Blu-ray drives and Blu-ray discs) and/or any other suitable memory. 
         [0052]    In some embodiments, the storage device  118  can be configured inside the housing  116  such that the storage device can remain operable in the event of damage being caused to the above-ground components of the wind station  100 . For example, the housing  116  can remain unattached to the pole  112  or pole foundation  114 . In such an example, the memory  130  can include a wireless communication module, such as Bluetooth, near field communication radio, cellular mobile device network and/or any other wireless communication module suitable for allowing the memory to receive data (indicated in  FIG. 1  by arrow  132 ) wirelessly from the computing device  108  and/or the anemometer  104 . As another example, the memory  130  can be communicatively attached to the computing device  108 , anemometer  104  and/or other components of the wind station  100  such that in the event of damage to the other components, the memory can be detached. As a more particular example, the memory  130  and/or the housing  116  can be attached to other components at least in part by a shear pin, the shear pin configured such that the memory and/or the housing can detach from the other components in the event that significant force (e.g., tensile force and/or shearing force is applied to the memory and/or the housing. 
         [0053]    In some embodiments, any suitable solar panel configuration can be used for the solar panel  106 . For example, the solar panel  106  can be mounted on the pole  112  such that the solar panel can detach from the pole and/or other components in the event of extreme winds. As another example, a solar panel  106  can be configured with a battery  134  operatively connected (indicated in  FIG. 1  by arrows  136 ) to some or all of the other components (e.g., the anemometer  104 , computing device  108  and/or storage device  118 ), such that the solar panel can provide power to the other components without interruption. As a more particular example, the solar panel  106  can be configured with a battery  134  such that the battery can store enough charge to power the other components for ten or more days. 
         [0054]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is illustrated one example of system hardware  200  for managing wind speed data that can be used in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. As illustrated, the system hardware  200  can include one or more: data servers  202 , user devices  204 , certification servers  206 , contract payout servers  208  and wind stations  209  outfitted with computing devices  108 . 
         [0055]    In some embodiments, the wind station  209  can be any suitable wind station configured with a computing device  108 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the wind station  209  can be the wind station system  100  disposed at a particular geographic location. 
         [0056]    In some embodiments, the data server  202  can be any suitable server for storing data and/or delivering the data to a user device  204 . In some embodiments, the data stored by the data server  202  and/or delivered to the user device  204  can be implemented as digital data in any digital data format. For example, the data server  202  can be a server that delivers data to a user device  204  and/or receives data from a wind station  209  via a communication network  210 . In some embodiments, the data server  202  can include a server computing device, a server communication interface operatively connected to the communication network  210  to receive respective wind speed data from one or more wind stations  209  and operatively connected to the server computing device to provide the received respective wind speed data to the server computing device and a server memory disposed at the respective data server location and operatively connected to the server computing device for storing the received respective wind speed data. Data stored and/or delivered by the data server  202  can be any suitable data, such as wind speed data, wind direction data, historical weather data, contract data, contract payout data and/or any other suitable data. Data can be recorded and uploaded to the data server  202  by any suitable entity (e.g., a wind station computing device  108 ). In some embodiments, the data server  202  can be disposed at a geographic location that is remote from (i.e., geographically distant from) the wind station system  100 , whereas in other embodiments, the data server can be disposed at the same geographic location as the wind station system. In some embodiments having more than one wind station system  100 , each respective wind station system can be disposed at a different respective wind station location, and the data server  202  can be disposed at a data server location that is remote from at least one of the respective wind station locations. In some embodiments having more than one wind station system  100  and more than one data server  202 , each respective wind station system can be disposed at a different respective wind station location, and each respective data server  202  can be disposed at a different respective data server location, wherein the respective wind station locations and data server locations are all geographically remote from one another. In some other embodiments, the data server  202  can be omitted. 
         [0057]    The communication network  210  can be any suitable combination of one or more wired and/or wireless networks in some embodiments. For example, the communication network  210  can include anyone or more of the Internet, an intranet, a wide-area network (WAN), a local-area network (LAN), a wireless network, a digital subscriber line (DSL) network, a frame relay network, an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network, a virtual private network (VPN), and/or any other suitable communication network. The user device  204  can be connected by one or more communications links  212  to the communication network  210 , which can be linked via one or more communications links to the data server  202 , and/or wind stations  209 . The communications links  212  can be any communications links suitable for communicating data among the user device  204 , data server  202  and wind stations  209 , such as network links, dial-up links, wireless links, hard-wired links, any other suitable communications links, or any suitable combination of such links. In some embodiments, the data communicated across the communication network  210  and/or communication links  212  can be implemented as digital data in any digital data format. 
         [0058]    The user device  204  can include anyone or more user devices suitable for requesting data, searching for data, viewing data, retransmitting data, manipulating data, receiving a user input and/or any other suitable functions. For example, in some embodiments, the user device  204  can be implemented as a mobile device, such as a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer and/or any other suitable mobile device. As another example, in some embodiments, the user device  204  can be implemented as a non-mobile device such as a desktop computer and/or any other suitable non-mobile device. In some embodiments, the user device  204  can be disposed at a geographic location that is remote from (i.e., geographically distant from) the wind station system  100  and/or the data server  202 , whereas in other embodiments, the user device can be disposed at the same geographic location as the wind station system and/or the data server. 
         [0059]    In some embodiments, the contract payout server  208  can be any suitable server for causing a contract to be paid out based on wind speed data. For example, the contract payout server  208  can be a server that receives wind speed data from a data server  202  via a communication network  210 , and/or determines whether a contract should be paid out based on wind speed data and/or causes a third party server  214  to payout a contract by communicating with the third party server over a communication network  210 . The storage of the wind speed data and other information, programs, data and/or other suitable information on the contract payout server  208  can be implemented as digital data in any digital data format. In some embodiments, the payout server  208  can include a payout server computing device, a payout server communication interface operatively connected to the communication network  210  to receive respective certification reports from one or more certification servers  206  and operatively connected to the payout server computing device to provide the received respective certification reports to the payout server computing device, and/or a payout server memory operatively connected to the payout server computing device for storing the received respective certification reports. In some embodiments, the payout server computing device can determine if a received respective certification report satisfied the terms of an associated contract, and if so, the payout server can trigger a payout at another location by communicating over the communication network  210 . In some embodiments, the contract payout server  208  can be disposed at a geographic location that is remote from (i.e., geographically distant from) the wind station system  100 , the data server  202  and/or the user device  204 , whereas in other embodiments, the contract payout server can be disposed at the same geographic location as the wind station system the data server and/or the user device. 
         [0060]    In some embodiments, the certification server  206  can be any suitable server for certifying wind speed data. For example, the certification server  206  can be a server that receives wind speed data from a data server  202  via a communication network  210 , and/or stores historical wind speed data and/or determines whether wind speed data is accurate. The storage of the wind speed data and other information, programs, data and/or other suitable information on the certification server  206  can be implemented as digital data in any digital data format. In some embodiments, the certification server  206  can include a certification server computing device, a certification server communication interface operatively connected to the communication network  210  to receive respective wind speed data from one or more data servers  202  and operatively connected to the certification server computing device to provide the received respective wind speed data to the certification server computing device, and/or a certification server memory operatively connected to the certification server computing device for storing the received respective wind speed data. In some embodiments, the certification server computing device can generate a data model, for example a historical storm model or a wind speed damage model, and the generated data model can be transmitted by the certification server communication interface to another location on the communication network  210 . In some embodiments, the certification server computing device can generate a certification report based on the received wind speed data and the generated data model, and the certification report can be transmitted by the certification server communication interface to another location on the communication network  210 . In some embodiments, the certification server  206  can be disposed at a geographic location that is remote from (i.e., geographically distant from) the wind station system  100 , the data server  202 , the user device  204  and/or the contract payout server  208 , whereas in other embodiments, the contract payout server can be disposed at the same geographic location as the wind station system, the data server, the user device and/or the contract payout server. 
         [0061]    Although the data server  202  and the user device  204  are illustrated as separate devices in  FIG. 2 , the functions performed by the data server and the user device can be performed using any suitable number of devices in some embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, the functions performed by either the data server  202  or the user device  204  can be performed on a single device. As another example, in some embodiments, multiple devices can be used to implement the functions performed by the data server  202  and the user device  204 . 
         [0062]    Although the data server  202 , certification server  206 , and the contract payout server  208  are illustrated as separate devices in  FIG. 2 , the functions performed by the data server, certification server and the contract payout server can be performed using any suitable number of devices in some embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, the functions performed by either the data server  202 , the certification server  206 , or the contract payout server  208  can be performed on a single device. As another example, in some embodiments, multiple devices can be used to implement the functions performed by the data server  202 , the certification server  206  and the contract payout server  208 . 
         [0063]    Although only two wind stations  209 , one certification server  206 , one contract payout server  208 , one data server  202 , one user device  204  and one third-party server  214  are shown in  FIG. 2  to avoid over-complicating the figure, any suitable number and/or any suitable types of wind stations, data servers, user devices and third-party servers can be used in some embodiments. 
         [0064]    The data server  202 , the user device  204 , and the wind station computing devices  108  can be implemented using any suitable hardware in some embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, the data server  202 , the user device  204  and the wind station computing devices  108  can be implemented using any suitable general purpose computer or special purpose computer. For example, the wind station computing device  108  may be implemented using a special purpose computer. Any such general purpose computer or special purpose computer can include any suitable hardware. For example, referring again to  FIG. 3 , as illustrated in example computer hardware  300 , such hardware can include a hardware processor  302 , a memory and/or storage  304 , an input device controller  306 , an input device  308 , display/audio drivers  310 , display and audio output circuitry  312 , a communication interface(s)  314 , an antenna  316  and a bus  318 . 
         [0065]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , there is illustrated an example of a process  400  for managing wind speed data in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. In  FIG. 4 , the example process  400  is illustrated by means of a block diagram wherein each block represents a step or steps of the process. In some embodiments, additional blocks can be present in between and/or in series with and/or in parallel with the blocks illustrated and/or additional steps can be present between and/or in series with and/or in parallel with the steps described. 
         [0066]    In some embodiments, the process  400  can be executed by any device or combination of devices. For example, the process  400  can be executed at least in part by one or more data servers (e.g. the data server  202  of  FIG. 2 ), one or more user devices (e.g., the user device  204  of  FIG. 2 ), one or more wind stations (e.g., the wind stations  209  of  FIG. 2  and/or wind station system  100  of  FIG. 1 ), one or more certification servers (e.g., the certification server  206  of  FIG. 2 ) and/or any other suitable device. 
         [0067]    The wind speed data managing process  400  can begin at block  402  having steps of receiving an anemometer reading. In some embodiments, receiving step  402  can receive an anemometer reading in any suitable format. For example, the step  402  can receive an electrical signal from the anemometer  104 . As a more particular example, the electrical signal can be an AC sine wave. In such a more particular example, the frequency of the AC sine wave can be proportional to the wind speed. In some embodiments, the anemometer reading can be a continuous reading. In some other embodiments, the anemometer reading can be an instantaneous reading or a plurality of instantaneous readings. 
         [0068]    In some embodiments, the process  400  can include a block  404  having steps wherein the anemometer reading is converted to wind speed data. In some embodiments, the steps of block  404  follow the steps of block  402 . In some embodiments, the converting step  404  can convert the anemometer reading to wind speed data using any suitable technique or combination of techniques and any suitable information. For example, if the received anemometer reading is an AC sine wave with a frequency proportional to wind speed, the steps of block  404  can apply a predetermined multiplier to the frequency to calculate the wind speed. 
         [0069]    In some embodiments, the process  400  can convert an anemometer reading (or a plurality of anemometer readings) over a predetermined period of time to an average wind speed. For example, the process  400  can receive (e.g., in block  402 ) an anemometer reading or readings over a thirty second period, a one minute period or any other suitable amount of time and convert (e.g., in block  404 ) the anemometer reading or readings over that period to an average wind speed. Thus, in some embodiments, the block  402  or  404  can further include steps of storing multiple anemometer readings received at intervals over a predetermined period of time. In some embodiments, the block  404  can further include steps of converting multiple anemometer readings into an average wind speed. 
         [0070]    In some embodiments, the steps of block  404  can include steps of converting an anemometer reading over a first predetermined period of time to a maximum wind speed during a second, shorter, predetermined time period that is within the first predetermined period of time (referred to sometimes herein as a “peak gust”). For example, if the received anemometer reading in block  402  is an AC sine wave with a frequency proportional to wind speed, the block  404  can include determining the frequency of the wave over a ten-minute base period, and calculating a moving average of the frequency over each three-second period, and finding a maximum three-second average wind speed by applying a predetermined multiplier to the maximum three-second moving average frequency. In other embodiments, any values for the first predetermined time period (i.e., “the base period”) and the second predetermined time period (i.e., “the moving average period”) can be used. 
         [0071]    In some embodiments, the process  400  can include a block  406  having steps of determining whether the wind speed data is higher than a predetermined threshold. In some embodiments, the block  406  follows block  404 . For example, if the steps in block  404  convert the anemometer reading to a peak gust, the steps in block  406  can determine whether the peak gust exceeds a predetermined threshold peak gust. As another example, if the steps in block  404  convert the anemometer reading to an average wind speed, the steps in block  406  can determine whether the average wind speed exceeds a predetermined threshold wind speed. 
         [0072]    In some embodiments of the process  400 , in the event that the wind speed exceeds a predetermined threshold, the steps in block  406  can proceed (as denoted by arrow  408  in  FIG. 4 ) to block  410  including steps of sending an alert to be sent to a user device  204 . In some embodiments, steps of block  410  can cause an alert to be sent to a user device  204  using any technique or combination of techniques. For example, if the user device  204  is a mobile phone, the steps of block  410  can cause a text message to be sent to the user device. As another example, if the user device  204  is a personal computer, the steps of block  410  can send an alert via e-mail. As yet another example, the steps of block  410  can cause an alert to be posted to a Web site. 
         [0073]    In some embodiments, the steps of block  410  can send an alert to a user device  204  using any suitable communication network. For example, the steps of block  410  can send an alert using the communication network  210  shown in  FIG. 2  and described in connection with the computer hardware  200 . 
         [0074]    In some embodiments, the process  400  includes a block  412  having steps of storing wind speed in local memory. In some embodiments, the steps of block  412  can either follow the steps of block  406  directly (as denoted by arrow  414  in  FIG. 4 ) or via the steps of block  410  (as denoted by arrows  408  and  416  in  FIG. 4 ). In some embodiments, any suitable local memory can be used. For example, the steps of block  412  can store wind speed data in the local memory  130  of the storage device  118  as shown in  FIG. 1  and described in connection with wind station system  100 . 
         [0075]    In some embodiments, the steps of block  412  can store wind speed data in local memory in any suitable format. For example, the steps of block  412  can store the wind speed data in an XML format, JSON format, CSV format, and/or any other suitable data format. 
         [0076]    In some embodiments, the steps of block  412  can store any amount of wind speed data in local memory. For example, in some embodiments the steps of block  412  can store days, months, or years of wind speed data in local memory. 
         [0077]    In some embodiments, the process  400  includes a block  418  having steps of sending wind speed data to a data server. In some embodiments, the steps of block  418  follow the steps of block  412 . In some embodiments, the steps of block  412  can send wind speed data to a data server using any suitable communication network. For example, the steps of block  412  can send wind speed data to a data server  202  using the communication network  210  shown in  FIG. 2  and described in connection with the hardware  200 . 
         [0078]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , there is illustrated an example of a process  500  for triggering wind speed payouts based on wind speed data in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. In  FIG. 5 , the example process  500  is illustrated by means of a block diagram wherein each block represents a step or steps of the process. In some embodiments, additional blocks can be present in between and/or in series with and/or in parallel with the blocks illustrated and/or additional steps can be present between and/or in series with and/or in parallel with the steps described. 
         [0079]    In some embodiments, the triggering process  500  can be executed by any device or combination of devices. For example, the process  500  can be executed at least in part by one or more data servers (e.g. the data server  202  of  FIG. 2 ), one or more user devices (e.g., the user device  204  of  FIG. 2 ), one or more wind stations (e.g., the wind station  209  of  FIG. 2  and/or wind station system  100  of  FIG. 1 ), one or more certification servers (e.g., the certification server  206  of  FIG. 2 ), and/or any other suitable device. 
         [0080]    In some embodiments, the trigging process  500  can begin at a block  502  having steps of receiving an anemometer reading at a wind meter. In some embodiments, the steps of block  502  can receive an anemometer reading using any suitable techniques or combination of techniques. For example, the steps of block  502  can receive an anemometer reading as described above for block  402  with reference to  FIG. 4 . 
         [0081]    In some embodiments, the triggering process  500  includes a block  504  having steps of converting an anemometer reading into wind speed data. In some embodiments, the steps of block  504  follow the steps of block  502 . In some embodiments, the steps of block  504  can convert an anemometer reading into wind speed data using any suitable techniques or combination of techniques and any suitable information. For example, the steps of block  504  can convert an anemometer reading into wind speed data as described above for block  404  with reference to  FIG. 4 . 
         [0082]    In some embodiments, the triggering process  500  includes a block  512  having steps of storing wind speed data in a local memory of a wind station. In some embodiments, the steps of block  512  follow the steps of block  504 . In some embodiments, the steps of block  512  can store wind speed data in a local memory of a wind station using any suitable techniques or combination of techniques. For example, the steps of block  512  can store wind speed data in the local memory of a wind station  209  as described above for block  412  with reference to  FIG. 4 , or in the local memory  130  of a storage device  118  of a wind station system  100  as described above with reference to  FIG. 1 . 
         [0083]    In some embodiments, the triggering process  500  includes a block  513  having steps of determining whether a data connection is available. In some embodiments, the steps of block  513  can follow the steps of block  512 . The steps of block  513  can determine whether a data connection is available using any suitable techniques or combination of techniques and any suitable information. For example, the steps of block  513  can determine whether a data connection is available by pinging a server, sending a test data packet, querying a server and/or any other suitable technique or combination of techniques. 
         [0084]    If the steps of block  513  determine that a data connection is available, the process  500  can continue to block  518  (as denoted by arrow  514  in  FIG. 5 ) having steps of sending wind speed data to a server. In some embodiments, the steps of block  518  can send wind speed data to a server using any suitable techniques or combination of techniques. For example, the steps of block  518  can send wind speed data to a server (e.g., the data server  202  and/or certification server  206  of  FIG. 2 ) as described above for block  418  with reference to  FIG. 4 . If the steps of block  513  determine that a data connection is not available, the process  500  can continue by repeating an earlier part of the process (e.g., as denoted by arrow  516  in  FIG. 5 ). 
         [0085]    In some embodiments, the triggering process  500  includes a block  520  having steps of receiving wind speed data at a data server (e.g., the data server  202  of  FIG. 2 ). In some embodiments, the steps of block  520  follow the steps of block  518  (as denoted by arrow  519  in  FIG. 5 ). In some embodiments, the steps of block  520  can receive wind speed data using any suitable techniques or combination of techniques. For example, the steps of block  520  can receive the wind speed data via a communication network (e.g., the communication network  210  of  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0086]    In some embodiments, the triggering process  500  includes a block  522  having steps of storing wind speed data. In some embodiments, the steps of block  522  follow the steps of block  520 . In some embodiments, the steps of block  522  can store wind speed data using any suitable techniques or combination of techniques. For example, the steps of block  522  can store wind speed data on a memory and/or storage (e.g., the memory and/or storage  304  of  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0087]    In some embodiments, the triggering process  500  includes a block  524  having steps of determining whether wind speed data should be sent for certification. In some embodiments, the steps of block  524  can follow the steps of block  522 . In some embodiments, the steps of block  524  can determine whether wind speed data should be sent for certification using any suitable techniques or combination of techniques and any suitable information. For example, the steps of block  524  can determine whether wind speed data should be sent for certification based on whether the wind speed data is related to a named storm (e.g., a named hurricane or typhoon). As a more particular example, if the wind speed data is gathered from a location and time period associated with a storm that has been named by a weather organization (e.g., the National Weather Service), the steps of block  524  can determine that the wind speed data should be sent for certification. As another example, the steps of block  524  can determine whether wind speed data should be sent for certification based on a threshold wind speed. As a more particular example, if the wind speed data includes a wind speed that is higher than a predetermined threshold wind speed, the steps of block  524  can determine that the wind speed data should be sent for certification. If the steps of block  524  determine that the wind speed data does not need to be certified, the process  500  can continue by repeating an earlier part of the process (e.g., as denoted by arrow  519  in  FIG. 5 ). 
         [0088]    In some embodiments, the triggering process  500  includes a block  526  having steps of generating a historical storm model. In some embodiments, the steps of block  526  can generate a historical storm model using any suitable technique or combination of techniques and any suitable information. 
         [0089]    In some embodiments, the steps of block  526  can generate a historical storm model using any suitable historical storm data. For example, the steps of block  526  can use data cataloging the frequency and severity of storms along the United States coastline over a certain period. As a more particular example, the steps of block  526  can use a storm dataset that records the time, date, latitude, longitude, maximum sustained wind speed, and central pressure for storms from the year 1900 through 2012. In other embodiments, the steps of block  526  can use a storm dataset for storms from the year 1900 through the most recent year for which storm data is available. In still other embodiments, the steps of block  526  can use a storm dataset for storms from a predetermined first year agreed-to under a contract through a predetermined final year agreed-to under the contract. 
         [0090]    In some embodiments, the steps of block  526  can further include supplementing historical storm data by generating synthetic storms and/or generating a historical storm model based at least in part on the synthetic storms. For example, the process  500  and/or the steps of block  526  can generate synthetic storms by utilizing the bogusing technique of Kurihara et at, “An Initialization Scheme of Hurricane Models by Vortex Specification,” Monthly Weather Review, vol. 2, July 1993, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0091]    In some embodiments, the triggering process  500  includes a block  528  having steps of generating a wind speed damage model based on a historical storm model. In some embodiments, the steps of block  528  can follow the steps of block  526 , and the historical storm model can be the historical storm model generated by the steps of block  526 . In some embodiments, the steps of block  528  can generate a wind speed damage model based on the historical storm model using any suitable techniques or combination of techniques and any suitable information. 
         [0092]    In some embodiments, the steps of block  528  can generate a wind speed damage model by simulating wind gusts based on the historical storm model. For example, the steps of block  528  can simulate peak gusts in the historical storm model and associate the simulated peak gusts with historical damage information. 
         [0093]    In some embodiments, the triggering process  500  includes a block  530  having steps of receiving wind speed data if the process determines (e.g., from the steps of block  524 ) that that wind speed data should be sent for certification (i.e., as denoted by arrow  532  in  FIG. 5 ). In some embodiments, the steps of block  530  can receive wind speed data using any suitable technique or combination of techniques. For example, the steps of block  530  can receive wind speed data via a communication network (e.g., the communication network  210  of  FIG. 2 ) from a wind station, such as wind station system  100 , as described above. As another example, the steps of block  530  can receive wind speed data via a communication network (e.g., the communication network  210  of  FIG. 2 ) from a data server (e.g., the data server  202  of  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0094]    In some embodiments, the triggering process  500  includes a block  534  having steps of generating a certification report for the received wind speed data based on the historical storm model, and/or the wind speed damage model. In some embodiments, the steps of block  534  can follow the steps of block  530 . In some embodiments, the steps of block  534  can generate a certification report for the received wind speed data based on the historical storm model (e.g., from block  526 ) and/or the wind speed damage model (e.g., from block  528 ) using any suitable technique or combination of techniques and any additional suitable information. For example, in some embodiments, the process  500  and the steps of block  534  can generate a certification report by inputting (as denoted by arrow  536  in  FIG. 5 ) the received wind speed data in addition to information related to buildings in an area related to the wind speed data (e.g., construction class of the buildings, building height, building occupancy, year of construction, and/or floor area) into the wind speed damage model. As a more particular example, if the wind speed data is within a predetermined number of standard deviations from a wind speed predicted by the model, the steps of block  534  can generate a certification report that certifies the wind speed data. As another example, the steps of block  534  can generate a certification report by comparing the received wind speed data (e.g., from block  530 ) with a wind speed predicted by the historical storm model (e.g., from block  526 ). As yet another example, the steps of block  534  can generate a certification report based on wind speed data received from a third party. 
         [0095]    In some embodiments, the triggering process  500  includes a block  538  having steps of sending the certification report. In some embodiments, the steps of block  538  can follow the steps of block  534 . In some embodiments, the steps of block  538  can send the certification report using any suitable techniques or combination of techniques. For example, the steps of block  538  can send the certification report to a data server (e.g., the data server  202  of  FIG. 2 ) via a communication network (e.g., the communication network  210  of  FIG. 2 ). The triggering process  500  may further include a block  540  having steps of receiving the certification report sent by the steps of block  538 . In some embodiments, the steps of block  540  can receive the certification report using any suitable techniques or combination of techniques. For example, the steps of block  540  can receive the certification report from a communication network (e.g., the communication network  210  of  FIG. 2 ) using a data server (e.g., the data server  202  of  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0096]    In some embodiments, the triggering process  500  includes a block  542  having steps of determining if a contract has been met. In some embodiments, the steps of block  542  can follow the steps of block  540 . In some embodiments, the steps of block  542  can determine if a contract has been met using any suitable techniques or combination of techniques and/or any suitable information. For example, the steps of block  542  can determine if a contract has been met based on the received certification report, e.g., the certification report received from block  540 . For example, the steps of block  542  can determine that a wind speed contained in wind speed data is greater than a threshold amount contained in a contract and that the certification report certifies that such a wind speed is correct, and accordingly determine that the contract has been met. As another example, the steps of block  542  can determine that a wind speed contained in wind speed data is greater than a threshold amount contained in a contract, and that the certification report does not certify that such a wind speed is correct, and accordingly determine that the contract has not been met. 
         [0097]    In some embodiments, the steps of block  542  can determine if a contract has been met by submitting the wind speed data and certification report for manual review. For example, if the steps of block  542  determine that wind speed data includes a wind speed that is higher than a threshold wind speed contained in a contract, and that the certification report certifies that the wind speed data is correct, the steps of block  542  can then submit the wind speed data and the certification report for manual review. 
         [0098]    In some embodiments, the triggering process  500  includes a block  544  having the steps of triggering a payout of a contract. In some embodiments, the steps of block  544  can follow the steps of block  542  if the steps of block  542  determined that the contract was met. In some embodiments, the steps of block  542  can trigger a payout of the contract using any suitable technique or combination of techniques. For example, the steps of block  542  can trigger a payout of the contract by sending information to a contract payout server (e.g., the contract payout server  208  of  FIG. 2 ). As another example, the steps of block  542  can trigger a payout by processing an electronic transaction such as a bank deposit, an electronic funds transfer, a direct deposit, sending a digital currency and/or any other suitable electronic transaction. 
         [0099]    In some embodiments, at least some of the above-described blocks and/or steps of the processes of  FIGS. 4 and 5  can be executed or performed in any order or sequence not limited to the order and sequence shown in and described in connection with the figures. Also, some of the above blocks and/or steps of  FIGS. 4 and 5  can be executed or performed substantially simultaneously where appropriate or in parallel to reduce latency and processing times. Additionally or alternatively, some of the above described blocks and/or steps of the processes of  FIGS. 4 and 5  can be omitted. 
         [0100]    In some embodiments, any suitable computer readable media can be used for storing instructions for performing the functions and/or processes herein. For example, in some embodiments, computer readable media can be transitory or non-transitory. For example, nontransitory computer readable media can include media such as magnetic media (such as hard disks, floppy disks, and/or any other suitable magnetic media), optical media (such as compact discs, digital video discs, Blu-ray discs, and/or any other suitable optical media), semiconductor media (such as flash memory, electrically programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and/or any other suitable semiconductor media), any suitable media that is not fleeting or devoid of any semblance of permanence during transmission, and/or any suitable tangible media. As another example, transitory computer readable media can include signals on networks, in wires, conductors, optical fibers, circuits, any suitable media that is fleeting and devoid of any semblance of permanence during transmission, and/or any suitable intangible media. 
         [0101]    Although the invention has been described and illustrated in the foregoing illustrative embodiments, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of example, and that numerous changes in the details of implementation of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Features of the disclosed embodiments can be combined and rearranged in various ways.