Abstract:
A system and method for referral management is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the method includes receiving a referral request for a client submitted by a probation officer, storing the referral to a database on a remote server, and transferring the referral to a probation officer supervisor. The method further includes forwarding the referral to a contract supervisor when the referral is approved by the probation officer supervisor, forwarding the referral to a vendor when the referral is approved by the contract supervisor. In addition, the method includes receiving an acknowledgment that the referral was received by the vendor, receiving an evaluation from the vendor of the client, monitoring a progress of the client in a treatment program, completion of the treatment program by the client, notifying the contract supervisor of the completion of the treatment program by the client, and closing the referral.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/107,778 filed Oct. 23, 2008. The disclosure of the provisional application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    The present invention relates in general to a system and method for referral management. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Often times an offender in the criminal justice system is eligible to seek treatment for substance abuse as part of a process. In order for the offender (i.e., client) to seek treatment, the client must obtain a referral from his or her probation officer from the Department of Corrections (“DOC”). Communications and administration between the DOC and the contract providers of the substance abuse programs (i.e. vendors) has increasingly become very costly and labor intensive. For example, a DOC referral form is currently used for tracking and monitoring a client through the process. The referral form for each client is emailed and/or faxed back and forth between the probation officers, supervisors and vendors making it difficult to track and monitor the progress of the client in real time through the process. Both the vendors and the DOC need ways to operate more efficiently and reduce the amount of labor and material costs. 
         [0004]    It is, therefore, to the effective resolution of the aforementioned problems and shortcomings of the prior art that the present method and system for referral management is directed. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    In a particular embodiment, a method for referral management is disclosed. The method includes receiving a referral request for a client submitted by a probation officer, storing the referral to a database on a remote server, and transferring the referral to a probation officer supervisor. The method further includes forwarding the referral to a contract supervisor when the referral is approved by the probation officer supervisor, forwarding the referral to a vendor when the referral is approved by the contract supervisor. In addition, the method includes receiving an acknowledgment that the referral was received by the vendor, receiving an evaluation from the vendor of the client, monitoring a progress of the client in a treatment program, completion of the treatment program by the client, notifying the contract supervisor of the completion of the treatment program by the client, and closing the referral. 
         [0006]    In another particular embodiment, a system for referral management is disclosed. The system includes a processor readable medium having processor instructions that are executable to cause a processor to receive at least one referral request for a client submitted by a probation officer, store the referral to a database on a remote server, and transfer the referral to a probation officer supervisor. The system forwards the referral to a contract supervisor when the referral is approved by the probation officer supervisor, forward the referral to a vendor when the referral is approved by the contract supervisor. In addition, the system receives an acknowledgment that the at least one referral request was received by the vendor, receive an evaluation from the vendor of the client, monitor a progress of the client in a treatment program, notify the contract supervisor of the completion of the treatment program by the client, and close the at least one referral request. 
         [0007]    Other aspects, advantages, and features of the present disclosure will become apparent after review of the entire application, including the following sections: Brief Description of the Drawings, Detailed Description, and the Claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a flow chart of a particular illustrative embodiment of a method for referral management; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2A  is a representation of a Probation Officer (“PO”) Home page from a graphical user interface (“GUI”) for a particular embodiment of a system and method for referral management; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2B  is a representation of the PO Search page from the GUI for a particular embodiment of a system and method for referral management; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2C  is a representation of the PO Statistics page from the GUI for a particular embodiment of a system and method for referral management; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2D  is a representation of a Transfer page from the GUI for a particular embodiment of a system and method for referral management; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3A  is a representation of a PO Supervisor Home page from the GUI for a particular embodiment of a system and method for referral management; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3B  is a representation of a PO Supervisor Home page from the GUI for a particular embodiment of a system and method for referral management; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4A  is a representation of a Contract Supervisor Home page from the GUI for a particular embodiment of a system and method for referral management; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4B  is a representation of a Contract Supervisor Statistics page from the GUI for a particular embodiment of a system and method for referral management; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5A  is a representation of a Vendor Profile page from the GUI for a particular embodiment of a system and method for referral management; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5B  is a representation of a Vendor Security Center page from the GUI for a particular embodiment of a system and method for referral management; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a representation of an Offender Data Home page from the GUI for a particular embodiment of a system and method for referral management; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a representation of a DOC Security Center page from the GUI for a particular embodiment of a system and method for referral management; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a representation of an Offender Notes History page from the GUI for a particular embodiment of a system and method for referral management; 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a block diagram of an illustrative embodiment of a general computer system; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is a block diagram of a particular illustrative embodiment of a system for referral management. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    The system for referral management includes an Internet based interactive customizable software program that connects the Department of Corrections (“DOC”) with vendors via a paperless (real time) process that includes a management tool that greatly reduces manpower hours, enhances productivity, provides several levels of security, management of budgeted funds, chain of custody tracking, provides uniformity across the state and provides statistics and reports as needed. The system and method provides secure access to multiple users in real time and allows the DOC and vendors to interact in real time. In addition, the system and method removes costly hardware maintenance and upgrades from the state responsibility because the system and method may be implemented on a database hosted on a remote server, which can be accessed using the Internet. Any upgrades to the system may be installed on the remote server so that the improvements become simultaneously and instantly available to all. An advantage of the system and method for referral management is the flexibility to be customized throughout the initial process and into the future. 
         [0025]    With shrinking budgets and the cost of doing business climbing every day, a paperless process feature of the system not only eliminates the need of paper but reduces the use of copy machines, toner and fax machines for both the DOC and the vendors. The system and method of referral management provides the DOC the ability to manage a complex system of over 2,500 probation officers and staff and communicate with hundreds of vendors and interact with tens of thousands of offenders across the state in real time. Accordingly, the manpower needs are drastically reduced. 
         [0026]    The real time paperless process of the method and system increases the productivity of all DOC staff members and vendors by, among other things, (1) eliminating the time for information movement in the current system, (2) the tracking of the information, (3) providing access from just about anywhere, (4) eliminating inconsistencies inherent in handwritten documents, and (5) saving tens of thousands of minutes on phone calls attempting to get information on offenders from vendors and within the DOC. Because the system and method for referral management is Internet based, the probation officers and staff can have access to their case loads anywhere they have connectivity, thereby providing immediate access to the information and simultaneously eliminating the travel time and expense. 
         [0027]    In operation, once a referral request is approved by a Contract Supervisor and sent to a Vendor, the referral is locked and can only be edited by the Contract Supervisor. Currently the referral requests are e-mailed as an attachment (Word document) or part of the e-mail. This process has many opportunities to be sent to the wrong e-mail address, misplaced, or otherwise mishandled. In addition, currently a referral can be altered by anyone in the system without automatically tracking who made the change and when the change was made. The method and system for referral management provides a secure process in which the referral is accounted for with a history of the progression and who has accessed the referral, with automatic date/time and identification stamps. The method and system for referral management provides multi user and multi level access that is customizable to the DOC needs that ensures only authorized access to confidential data. Thus, internal document security is provided yet management is provided with the flexibility needed to provide constant access and real time monitoring. Security of the method and system meets or exceeds HIPPA requirements. 
         [0028]    Another advantage of the method and system for referral management is a tracking feature and an ability to change a pay status and/or enter the pay status by the DOC or the vendors, which reduces funding issues and discrepancies on the billing. Another feature of the method and system for referral management provides the Contract Supervisor with the ability to monitor the amount of funds to each vendor by multiplying a number of referrals a vendor received by the level of treatment to calculate a dollar amount. Accordingly, the Contract Supervisor has the ability to make decisions based on projected information at any time and give the DOC the ability to manage the same projections for each circuit, region and/or the state. The method and system of referral management is automated and reduces the required manual steps by DOC to track and monitor an offender&#39;s progress. The system and method records by name and date each step in the process and may include visual aids to help in the managing of each offender&#39;s referral in real time. 
         [0029]    The prior art referral systems do not provide a sense of consistency and tends to be frustrating to many users. By having a uniform program that the staff and vendors can rely on, increases the ease of use and the system becomes a partner in the pursuit to accomplish the goals of the DOC. Uniformity increases productivity and reduces the amount of frustrations caused by the current system. Uniformity provides the DOC with the ability to use consistent data for reports and statistics. The DOC benefits from reports and statistics generated by the method and system for referral management. Some examples include:
       Treatment Levels;   Pay Status;   Circuit by Circuit or Region by Region;   Success rates of offenders and vendors;   No-Show Evaluation Reports;   Time between Date of Receipt of Referral by the Vendor and evaluation date;   Funding reports by Circuit and or Region;   Time between approvals by PO Supervisors and Contract Supervisors;   Vendors contract requirements;   Number of Clients/Offenders by Office, Circuit and Region;   Number of Probation Officers by Office, Circuit, Region;   Number of Clients/Offenders per Probation Officer, Office, Circuit, Region; and   Auditing tool for oversight of Vendors.       
 
         [0043]    Advantages to using the method and system for referral management include no major hardware equipment or upgrades are required. Instead, the DOC current Internet access system is sufficient, only currently requiring Internet Explorer (6.0 or higher) to have access. There is a substantial reduction of expenses due to savings related to faxing, faxing machines, toner, paper and related energy expenditures. Further, a substantial labor reduction on handling referrals by Probation Officers, PO Supervisors, Vendors and the DOC. An ability to manage internally the progression of the referral approval process in a real time environment is also another advantage. The system and method have the ability to access and manage referrals from anywhere Internet access is available. Data can be received from the Vendors in a real time environment. There is also standardization statewide of the referral and an ability to create reports that are made possible due to standardization of the reporting of data. In addition, the system and method provides from the state level to the probation officer level real time statistics such as how many referrals are “Pending” (awaiting Contract Supervisor approval), “Active” (in treatment by a Vendor), or “Closed” (referral is closed by DOC or the Vendor). 
         [0044]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , the Probation Officer (“PO”) initiates the referral request for a client, at  102 , and automatically forwards the referral to a PO Supervisor for approval. The referral is assigned a “Pending” status. At  104 , the PO Supervisor denies or approves the referral. If the referral is approved, the referral is forwarded to a Contract Supervisor for approval, at  106 . The Contract Supervisor, at  108 , denies or approves the referral. If approved, the referral is forwarded to a Vendor, at  108 . The Contract Provider receives and acknowledges the referral by the act of receiving (date stamp) of the referral. Moving to  110 , the client contacts the Vendor and sets an appointment date for evaluation. The time between the first contact date and the appointment date is recorded to encourage timely processing of the referral due to the built in accountability of the system. The Vendor uses a graphical user interface to enter information, which is available as each item is completed in real time to the DOC. Continuing to  112 , if a client (i.e., “offender”) is admitted into treatment, then the referral continues in the “Active” status, at  114 . If the client does not enter treatment the referral is closed. If the offender No-Shows, then the evaluation may be closed out and a new referral needed before the offender can reschedule. This places the referral in the PO “Attention” task list. The addition of these features provides insight to new management enhancements and productivity in areas not yet realized in the field. Moving to  116 , the treatment phase is completed and the client awaits discharge from the Vendor. The discharge is completed and the referral is sent back to the Contract Supervisor, at  118 , and the pertinent data may be transferred to the DOC OBIS system. At  120 , the referral is closed. 
         [0045]    The Probation Officer (“PO”) may use a graphical user interface (“GUI”) to display data related to the referrals as shown in  FIG. 2A . For example, the PO Home Page  204  displays the PO&#39;s name  206 , the location  208 , the current date/time  210 , and a summary of the PO&#39;s referrals  212 . The summary  212  may include a number of active offenders/client, open referrals, pending referrals, number of self pay referrals, number of co-pay referrals, number of funded referrals or any combination thereof. A calendar  202  may also be displayed. A menu  214  is displayed that allows the PO to select an activity to complete. For example, the PO may select from the menu  214  to search, transfer, or start a new referral. In addition, an option bar  216  provides a number of different groups of data for the PO to display and view. For example, the groups of data may include data related to clients on the attention list, active offender list, closed offender list, open referral list, contract provider/vendor list, reports/statistics, transfer history, or any combination thereof. The vendor attention list  218  is displayed in  FIG. 2A , which provides data related to those clients  220  that currently require vendor attention. A list of new clients  22  may also be displayed, where the data  224  relates to the new clients. 
         [0046]    If the PO selects to search from the menu  214 , the PO Search Page  230  is displayed as shown in  FIG. 2B . A menu  232  is displayed that allows the PO to select an activity to complete. The PO may also select from a number of different search terms  236  to find the information sought. For example, the search term may be by identification number, last name, first name, an alias, type of referral, vendor, pay status, offender type, offense codes, referral stage, referral number, FDLE#, FBI#, etc., or any combination thereof. 
         [0047]    The PO may also generate statistics based on the referral data and display the statistics on the PO Statistics Page  240  as shown on  FIG. 2C . For example, offender statistics  242  may be displayed that include offender data  244  such as active offenders, open referrals, pending referrals, number of self pay referrals, number of co-pay referrals, number of funded referrals, and any combination thereof. The vendor statistics  246  may include data  248  such as active referrals, no-shows, refused, number of not admitted, number of successful discharges, number of unsuccessful discharges, number of administrative discharges, etc., and any combination thereof. 
         [0048]    Referring now to  FIG. 2D , the Transfer Page  250  may be used to transfer the referral. A menu  252  is displayed that allows the user to select an activity to complete or return to the Home Page. The type of transfer  254  and the probation officer  256  may be selected using the GUI. The probation officer information  258  may be displayed along with the PO&#39;s active offender list  260 . The active offender list may include data  262  of the names of the offenders and identification numbers. The offender may be selected and the transfer completed  264  using the GUI. 
         [0049]    The PO Supervisor may use a GUI to display data related to the referrals as shown in  FIG. 3A . For example, the PO Supervisor Home Page  304  displays the PO Supervisor&#39;s name  306 , the location  308 , the current date/time  310 , and a summary of the referrals  312 . The summary  312  may include a number of active offenders/client, open referrals, pending referrals, number of self pay referrals, number of co-pay referrals, number of funded referrals or any combination thereof. A calendar  302  may also be displayed. A menu  314  is displayed that allows the PO Supervisor to select an activity to complete. For example, the PO Supervisor may select from the menu  314  to search, transfer, or start a new referral. In addition, an option bar  316  provides a number of different groups of data for the PO Supervisor to display and view. For example, the groups of data may include data related to clients on the attention list, active offender list, closed offender list, open referral list, contract provider/vendor list, reports/statistics, transfer history, PO list, or any combination thereof. The attention list  318  is displayed in  FIG. 3A , which provides data related to those clients  320  that currently require attention. A list of new clients  322  may also be displayed, where the data  324  relates to the new clients. 
         [0050]    The PO Supervisor may also generate statistics based on the referral data and display the statistics on the PO Supervisor Statistics Page  330  as shown on  FIG. 3B . The number of active POs  332  may be displayed. In addition, offender statistics  334  may be displayed that include offender data  336  such as active offenders, open referrals, pending referrals, number of self pay referrals, number of co-pay referrals, number of funded referrals, and any combination thereof. The vendor statistics  338  may include data  340  such as active referrals, no-shows, refused, number of not admitted, number of successful discharges, number of unsuccessful discharges, number of administrative discharges, etc., and any combination thereof. 
         [0051]    The Contract Supervisor may use a GUI to display data related to the referrals as shown in  FIG. 4A . For example, the Contract Supervisor Home Page  404  displays the Supervisor&#39;s name  406 , the location  408 , the current date/time  410 , and a summary of the referrals  412 . The summary  412  may include a number of active offenders/client, open referrals, pending referrals, number of self pay referrals, number of co-pay referrals, number of funded referrals or any combination thereof. A calendar  402  may also be displayed. A menu  414  is displayed that allows the Supervisor to select an activity to complete. For example, the Supervisor may select from the menu  414  to search or transfer. In addition, an option bar  416  provides a number of different groups of data for the Supervisor to display and view. For example, the groups of data may include data related to clients on the attention list, active offender list, closed offender list, open referral list, contract provider/vendor list, reports/statistics, transfer history, or any combination thereof. The attention list  418  is displayed in  FIG. 4A , which provides data related to those clients  420  that currently require attention. A list of search results  422  may also be displayed, where the data  424  may relate to the clients. 
         [0052]    The Contract Supervisor may also generate statistics based on the referral data and display the statistics on the Supervisor Statistics Page  430  as shown on  FIG. 4B . For example, offender statistics  436  may be searched  438  and displayed that include offender data  440  such as active offenders, open referrals, pending referrals, number of self pay referrals, number of co-pay referrals, number of funded referrals, and any combination thereof. The vendor statistics  432  may include data  434  such as active referrals, no-shows, refused, number of not admitted, number of successful discharges, number of unsuccessful discharges, number of administrative discharges, etc., and any combination thereof. A table  442  summarizing the amount of money for clients at each level and estimated monetary total may be provided. The projected funds needed for pending referrals and the actual funds paid to vendor to date may also be displayed in a table  444 . 
         [0053]    A Vendor Profile Page  502  is shown in  FIG. 5A . The location of the vendor  504  is displayed along with the current date/time  506 . A menu  508  is displayed that allows the user to view information related to a particular vendor. For example, the user may select security center, contracts, billing information, vendor documents, authorized regions/circuits, reports/statistics, non-contract provider, or any combination thereof. The contract provider (i.e. vendor) contact information  510  is displayed and may be edited. An option bar  514  allows a user to select to enter comments, edit data, and save/close the Vendor Profile Page. A list  512  of all regions and circuits the vendor is authorized to provide services may be displayed and when the user selects the circuit, the appropriate profile is displayed. 
         [0054]    Referring now to  FIG. 5B , the Vendor Security Center  520  allows a particular security level to be assigned to each user of the method and system for referral management. A menu  522  is displayed that allows an administrator user to view information related to a particular user  524  that may be accessing the system. An authorization menu  526  may be used according to each region, circuit and office  528  based on information from the DOC  530 . An option bar  532  allows the user to select to search, enter comments, edit data, and save/close the Vendor Security Center. 
         [0055]    The Offender Data Home Page  602  displays the offender&#39;s/client&#39;s photo  606 . The location  608 , the current date/time  610 , and when the offender&#39;s data was last updated  612  may be displayed. A menu  614  is displayed that allows the user to select an activity to complete. For example, the user may select from the menu  614  to view the PO history, referral history, urinalysis screening history, contract provider information, reports/statistics, arrest history, residence history, or any combination thereof. In addition, the offender type  616  is indicated on the Offender Data Home Page  602 . A summary of the offender data  618  may include eye color, hair color, religion, shoe size, gender, ethnicity, height, weight, identifying marks, citizenship, birth state and city, etc. The current residence  620  for the offender may be displayed along with the current work address  622  for the offender. An option bar  624  allows the user to select to start referral, enter comments, edit data, and save/close the Offender Data Home Page  602 . 
         [0056]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , the DOC Security Center  702  allows a particular security level to be assigned to each user of the method and system for referral management. A menu  704  is displayed that allows an administrator user to view information related to a particular user  706  that may be accessing the system. An authorization menu may be used according to each region, circuit and office. An option bar  708  allows the user to select to search, enter comments, edit data, and save/close the DOC Security Center. 
         [0057]    An Offender Notes History  802  allows a user to enter notes regarding a particular offender. For example, the type of note to enter is selected  804  to access the proper file. All notes entered are time stamped, the name of the person who entered the note recorded, and are capable of being sorted by type of note, time frames and individuals. The types of notes entered may include, PO notes  806 , DOC staff notes  810 , clerical notes  812 , field noted  814 , task notes  816 , appointment dates/times  818 . In addition, all notes  820  may be selected to be viewed. 
         [0058]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , an illustrative embodiment of a general computer system is shown and is designated  900 . The computer system  900  can include a set of instructions that can be executed to cause the computer system  900  to perform any one or more of the methods or computer based functions disclosed herein. The computer system  900 , or any portion thereof, may operate as a standalone device or may be connected, e.g., using a network, to other computer systems or peripheral devices. 
         [0059]    In a networked deployment, the computer system may operate in the capacity of a server, such as a video server or application server, or a media device. The computer system  900  can also be implemented as or incorporated into various devices, such as a personal computer (PC), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile device, a palmtop computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a communications device, a wireless telephone, a web appliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any other machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. In a particular embodiment, the computer system  900  can be implemented using electronic devices that provide voice, video or data communication. Further, while a single computer system  900  is illustrated, the term “system” shall also be taken to include any collection of systems or sub-systems that individually or jointly execute a set, or multiple sets, of instructions to perform one or more computer functions. 
         [0060]    As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the computer system  900  may include a processor  902 , e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics-processing unit (GPU), or both. Moreover, the computer system  900  can include a main memory  904  and a static memory  906  that can communicate with each other via a bus  908 . As shown, the computer system  900  may further include a video display unit  910 , such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), a flat panel display, a solid-state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT). Additionally, the computer system  900  may include an input device  912 , such as a keyboard, and a cursor control device  914 , such as a mouse. The computer system  900  can also include a disk drive unit  916 , a signal generation device  918 , such as a speaker or remote control, and a network interface device  920 . 
         [0061]    In a particular embodiment, as depicted in  FIG. 9 , the disk drive unit  916  may include a computer-readable medium  922  in which one or more sets of instructions  924 , e.g. software, can be embedded. Further, the instructions  924  may embody one or more of the methods or logic as described herein. In a particular embodiment, the instructions  924  may reside completely, or at least partially, within the main memory  904 , the static memory  906 , and/or within the processor  902  during execution by the computer system  900 . The main memory  904  and the processor  902  also may include computer-readable media. 
         [0062]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , a particular illustrative embodiment of a system for providing referral management is depicted. The system includes a remote server  952  that is used to store information regarding at least one referral and to determine in part whether a user is authorized to access the database  954 . A user may access the remote server  952  via workstations  966  connected to the Internet  964 . Once connected to the remote server  952 , one of a plurality of graphical user interfaces (“GUI”) may be used to access, edit, and modify information stored in the database related to the referrals. The GUIs may include a Probation Officer GUI, Probation Officer Supervisor GUI, Contract Supervisor GUI, or a Vendor GUI. The database  954  may include information regarding referrals, probation officers, probation officer supervisors, vendors, and offenders. The remote server  952  may also includes a search module that may perform various functions, including receiving a search request for a referral, particular type of travel provider, determining which offenders/clients match the request, and displaying the results using a GUI. The search module may be implemented in hardware, firmware, software, other programmable logic, or any combination thereof. 
         [0063]    Those of skill would further appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks, configurations, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, configurations, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present disclosure. 
         [0064]    The steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. A software module may reside in random access memory (RAM), flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor such that the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium may be integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The ASIC may reside in a computing device or a user terminal. In the alternative, the processor and the storage medium may reside as discrete components in a computing device or user terminal. 
         [0065]    The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosed embodiments. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope possible consistent with the principles and novel features as defined by the following claims.