Patent Publication Number: US-2011060686-A1

Title: System and Method for Communicating Check Information to a Financial Institution

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a system and method for communicating information to a financial institution. In particular, the invention relates to a system and method for communicating check information to a financial institution. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In order to make a payment, often times a consumer receives a check drawn for an amount of money to be paid to a payee for a service or good. Many times payees to do not have a bank account in which they can deposit the drawn check and have to use a third party, such as a retail check cashing facility, to assist the payee in cashing the drawn check. However, in cashing the drawn check, the third party often verifies that the maker&#39;s demand account, from which the amount of money is to be withdrawn, has an available balance which exceeds that of the amount of money the drawn check is drafted for. 
     Once it is confirmed that the available balance exceeds that of the amount of money the drawn check is drafted for, the third party then often times makes an image of the check and sends it to their depository, a local, centralized bank, which processes the check and sends the processed check to the Federal Reserve for further processing and payment via the makers bank. This process may take several days before the drawn check is finally presented to the maker&#39;s bank, and the maker&#39;s demand account is debited the amount of money the drawn check is drafted for. In the several days, however, money may be withdrawn from the maker&#39;s demand account and the available balance may not exceed the amount of money the drawn check is drafted for. In this instance, the drawn check presented to the maker&#39;s bank may be denied by the maker&#39;s bank, no money can be withdrawn from the maker&#39;s demand account, and a denied check notice is sent to the maker, the third party, and/or the payee. The third party suffers in that it often times pays the amount of money minus a transaction fee immediately to the payee upon receipt of the drawn check from the payee. In this instance, the third party would lose the amount of money minus a transaction fee. Additionally, the payee may also be required to pay back the amount of money to the third party. Either way, the payee and the third party may both suffer from not being able to present the drawn check in real-time to the maker&#39;s bank for withdrawal of funds within the maker&#39;s demand account. 
     As a result, it would be desirable to provide a system and method for communicating check information to a financial institution which can reduce the amount of drawn checks which are denied when presented to financial institutions. It would also be desirable to provide a system and method for communicating check information in real-time to a financial institution, so that an amount of money may be segregated for withdrawal in real-time from a maker&#39;s demand account. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, a method for communicating check information to a financial institution is provided. The method includes but is not limited to retrieving check information from a drawn check. The check information includes but is not limited to an amount of money, a routing number, and an account number. The method also includes but is not limited to transmitting the check information to a conversion device and converting the check information into debit card data. The method also includes but is not limited to transmitting the debit card data to a financial institution having a demand account. The financial institution is assigned the routing number of the drawn check. The demand account is assigned the account number of the drawn check. 
     In another aspect, a system for communicating check information to a financial institution is provided. The system includes but is not limited to a check reader, a centralized computer, and a financial institution computer. The check reader retrieves check information from a drawn check. The check information includes an amount of money, a routing number, and an account number. The centralized computer is in communication with the check reader. The centralized computer converts the check information into debit card data for transmission over a debit card network. The financial institution computer is in communication with the centralized computer via the debit card network. The debit card data is transmitted to the financial institution over the debit card network. 
     In another aspect, a signal bearing medium storing instructions of a computer program which when executed by a computer results in performance of steps is provided. The steps includes but are not limited to receiving check information from a drawn check, converting the check information into debit card data, and transmitting the debit card data to a demand account at a financial institution. The check information includes an amount of money, a routing number, and an account number. The debit card data includes the amount of money, the routing number, and the account number, and a debit card network name. The financial institution is assigned the routing number of the drawn check. The demand account is assigned the account number of the drawn check. 
     The scope of the present invention is defined solely by the appended claims and is not affected by the statements within this summary. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  depicts a block schematic diagram of an exemplary computing system, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  depicts a schematic representation of a system for communicating check information to a financial institution, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  depicts a schematic representation of check information being converted into debit card information. 
         FIG. 4  depicts a flowchart illustration of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  depicts a flowchart illustration of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention makes use of the discovery that by converting check information retrieved from a check into debit card data, and then transmitting the debit card data containing the check information over a debit card network, money held in a check maker&#39;s demand account can immediately tagged for withdrawal, reducing the likelihood that the check will bounce. 
     In the description that follows, the subject matter of the application will be described with reference to acts and symbolic representations of operations that are performed by one or more computers, unless indicated otherwise. As such, it will be understood that such acts and operations, which are at times referred to as being computer-executed, include the manipulation by the processing unit of the computer of electrical signals representing data in a structured form. This manipulation transforms the data or maintains it at locations in the memory system of the computer which reconfigures or otherwise alters the operation of the computer in a manner well understood by those skilled in the art. The data structures where data is maintained are physical locations of the memory that have particular properties defined by the format of the data. However, although the subject matter of the application is being described in the foregoing context, it is not meant to be limiting as those skilled in the art will appreciate that some of the acts and operations described hereinafter can also be implemented in hardware, software, and/or firmware and/or some combination thereof. 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , depicted is an exemplary computing system for implementing embodiments.  FIG. 1  includes a computer  100 , which could be any one of an imaging recognition computer  218 , a centralized computer  242 , or a financial institution computer  276 . Computer  100  may be a mobile device, wherein at least some or all of its components are formed together in a single device which can move from one location to another, such as a laptop computer, a mobile telephone, a portable electronic device, or a personal digital assistant (PDA). Computer  100  may be a stationary or non-mobile device which is not moved around, such as a desktop computer or server. Computer  100  may also be incorporated within a multitude of devices, such as a check reader  210  or a conversion device  240 . The computer  100  includes a processor  110 , memory  120  and one or more drives  130 . The drives  130  and their associated computer storage media provide storage of computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules and other data for the computer  100 . Drives  130  can include an operating system  140 , application programs  150 , program modules  160 , and program data  180 . Computer  100  further includes input devices  190  through which data may enter the computer  100 , either automatically or by a user who enters commands and data. Input devices  190  can include an electronic digitizer, a microphone, a camera, a video camera, an imaging device such as an optical scanner or camera, a keyboard, and a pointing device, commonly referred to as a mouse, trackball or touch pad. Other input devices may include a joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, and the like. 
     These and other input devices  190  can be connected to processor  110  through a user input interface that is coupled to a system bus  192 , but may be connected by other interface and bus structures, such as a parallel port, game port or a universal serial bus (USB). Computers such as computer  100  may also include other peripheral output devices such as speakers and/or display devices, which may be connected through an output peripheral interface  194  and the like. 
     In one embodiment, computer  100  includes a radio  198  for wirelessly transmitting and receiving data for the computer  100  with the aid of an antenna. Radio  198  may wirelessly transmit and receive data using any present wireless standard such as WiMAX™, 802.11a/b/g/n, Bluetooth™, 2G, 2.5G, 3G, and 4G. Additionally, radio  198  may receive positioning signals  188 , such as global positioning satellite (GPS) signals from a global positioning satellite or cellular signals for determining its position via triangulation. By using the positioning signals  188 , the radio  198  is able to determine its location. 
     Computer  100  may operate in a networked environment using logical connections to one or more remote computers, such as a centralized computer. The centralized computer may be a personal computer, a server, a router, a network PC, a peer device or other common network node, and may include many if not all of the elements described above relative to computer  100 . Networking environments are commonplace in offices, enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets and the Internet. For example, in the subject matter of the present application, computer  100  may comprise the source machine from which data is being migrated, and the centralized computer may comprise the destination machine. Note, however, that source and destination machines need not be connected by a network or any other means, but instead, data may be migrated via any media capable of being written by the source platform and read by the destination platform or platforms. When used in a LAN or WLAN networking environment, computer  100  is connected to the LAN through a network interface  196  or an adapter. When used in a WAN networking environment, computer  100  typically includes a modem or other means for establishing communications over the WAN to environments such as the Internet. It will be appreciated that other means of establishing a communications link between the computers may be used. 
     According to one embodiment, computer  100  is connected in a networking environment such that processor  1   10  can process incoming and outgoing data, such as data which contains imaging and check information, and the like. The incoming and outgoing data can be to and/or from any device, such as from another data source, such as imaging recognition computer  218 , centralized computer  242 , or financial institution computer  276 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , illustrated is an exemplary representation of a system  200  for communicating check information  222  to a financial institution  270 . The system  200  includes but is not limited to a check reader  210  connected with a conversion device  240  via a communications network  280 , and a financial institution computer  276  connected with the conversion device  240  via a debit card network  282 . The conversion device  240  converts check information  222  to debit card data  250  and sends debit card data  250  to the financial institution  270  and receives confirmation data  278  from the financial institution  270  via a debit card network  282 . 
     Networks  280  and  282  can be, for example, a cellular network, (perhaps having a land line to one of the devices), a non-cellular wireless network, a wired network, or combinations thereof. Preferably, check reader  210  communicates with conversion device  240  via communications network  280  and conversion device  240  communicates with the financial institution  270 , and specifically, financial institution computer  276 , via debit card network  282 . Communications network  280  transmits and receives data, such as check information  222  and confirmation data  278 , between check reader  210  and conversion device  240 . Debit card network  282  transmits and receives data, such as debit card data and confirmation data, between conversion device  240  and financial institution  270 , and specifically, financial institution computer  276 . 
     Network controllers can optionally be disposed within or connected with check reader  210 , conversion device  240 , and financial institution computer  276  in order to allow for communication over the networks  280 ,  282 . Network controllers may be located at a base station, a service center, or any other location on networks  280 ,  282 . Networks  280 ,  282  may include any type of networks which are capable of sending and receiving communication signals, including signals for financial information, images, and data such as confirmation data and debit card data. 
     Networks  280 ,  282  may include a data network, such as the Internet, an intranet, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a cable network, and other like systems that are capable of transmitting multimedia video, streaming video, audio and the like. Networks  280 ,  282  may also include a telecommunications network, such as a local telephone network, long distance telephone network, cellular telephone network, satellite communications network, cable television network and other like communications systems that interact with computers to enable set-top boxes or other audio/visual controllers to communicate media and multimedia signals. Networks  280 ,  282  may include more than one network and may include a plurality of different types of networks. Thus, networks  280 ,  282  may include a plurality of data networks, a plurality of telecommunications networks, cable systems, satellite systems and/or a combination of data and telecommunications networks and other like communication systems. In one embodiment, networks  280 ,  282  may include an email network or a Switched Multi-megabit Data Service (SMDS) network, with or without the SMDS Interface Protocol (SIP), using data packets for the delivery of data. 
     Note that while only one check reader  210  is shown, the system  200  is designed for communications among any number of check readers  210 , some of which are mobile and, if desired some of which may be fixed in location. Also note that check reader  210  can be substituted by any device or combination of devices which can retrieve check information  222  from a drawn check  220 , such as an optical scanner, a camera, a bar code reader, a magnetic strip reader, or an RFID reader, in combination with a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a personal digital assistant, a mobile phone, a desktop computer, a server, and/or any other device that is capable of analyzing, sending and receiving data. 
     Check reader  210  retrieves check information  222  from a drawn check  220 . The check reader  210  includes any device or combination of devices which can retrieve check information  222  from a drawn check  220 , and preferably transmit the check information  222  to the conversion device  240 . Drawn check  220  is any negotiable instrument issued by a maker to a payee, and includes things such as an order check, a bearer check, a counter check, a negotiable order of withdrawal, a share draft, an a payroll warrant. Check information  222  is any information on either a front or back surface of the drawn check  220 , and includes information such as a the maker&#39;s name  224 , the payee&#39;s name  226 , an amount of money  228  which is authorized to be drawn from the maker&#39;s demand account  272  at the maker&#39;s financial institution  270 , a date of issue  230  which is the date that the drawn check  220  is drafted, a routing number  232  which identifies the maker&#39;s financial institution  270 , an account number  234  which identifies the maker&#39;s demand account  272 , the maker&#39;s signature  236  which verifies the maker&#39;s identity, and the maker&#39;s personal information  238  which may include the maker&#39;s address, phone number, and social security number, and a check number  239  which identifies the drawn check  220 . 
     Preferably, the routing number  232  is a nine-digit number in which the first  4  digits identifies the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank&#39;s check-processing center, the fifth through eight digits identify the financial institution  270  which is served by that check-processing center, and the ninth digit is a verification check digit computed using a complex algorithm of the previous  8  digits. The routing number  232  is preferably followed by the account number  234  which identifies the maker&#39;s demand account  272 , and the check number  239  which identifies the drawn check  220 . 
     The check information  222  may be retrieved from the drawn check  220  by the check reader  210  in one of a variety of different ways. In one embodiment, the check reader  210  includes an input device  211  through which check information  222  may enter the check reader  210 , either automatically or by a user who enters commands and data. The input device  211  includes things such as a keyboard, mouse, or touch screen. In this embodiment, a user inputs the check information  222  manually into the check reader  210  via the input device  211 , such as a keyboard, mouse, or touch screen. 
     In one embodiment, the check reader  210  includes or is connected with an imaging device  212  which is in communication with imaging recognition computer  218 . The imaging device  212  may be any device which can capture an image of the drawn check  220 , such as an optical scanner or camera. In this embodiment, the drawn check  220  is placed near or inserted into the imaging device  212 , and an image of the drawn check  220  is made using an imaging device  212 . Once the image of the drawn check  220  is captured, the image is digitized and converted into image data  216  which is then communicated to imaging recognition computer  218 . The check reader  210  may have both the input device  211  and the imaging device  212 , so that the check information  222  is retrieved by the check reader  210  using a combination of user input at the input device  211  and image capture made by the imaging device  212 . 
     Check reader  210  may be a stationary device which is not designed to be carried around with a user or check reader  210  may be a portable device, such as a mobile phone with a camera, which can be carried around with the user. 
     Imaging recognition computer  218  may retrieve check information  222  from the image data  216 , using, for example, optical character recognition. In one embodiment, the check reader  210  includes an identifying scanner, such as a bar code scanner, a magnetic reader, or an RFID reader, and the drawn check  220  includes a unique identifier, such as a bar code, a magnetic strip, or an embedded RFID chip. The identifying scanner scans or reads the unique identifier and then retrieves check information  222  from the drawn check  220 . In one embodiment, the check reader  210  is a Smart Teller II device manufactured by Technology Effectiveness Solutions of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Preferably, upon retrieving the check information  222  from the drawn check  220 , the check reader  210  places a mark on the check which indicates that the drawn check  220  has been processed. 
     Upon retrieving the check information  222  from the drawn check  220 , the check information  222  is transmitted to conversion device  240  via communications network  280 . Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , conversion device  240  converts check information  222  received from  210  via network  280  to debit card data  250 , sends the debit card data  250  to the financial institution  270 , and receives confirmation data  278  from the financial institution  270  via debit card network  282 . The conversion device includes a centralized computer  242  which receives the check information  222  and converts the check information  222  into debit card data, which is in a format that is acceptable for transmission over debit card network  282 . 
     Preferably, the debit card data includes a maker&#39;s name  252 , a payee&#39;s name  254 , an amount of money  256 , a date of issue  258 , a routing number  260 , an account number  262 , security information  264 , a maker&#39;s personal information  266 , a check number  267 , and debit card network information  268 . The maker&#39;s name  252  and the payee&#39;s name  254  are derived from the maker&#39;s name  224  and the payee&#39;s name  226  from the check information  222 , respectively. The amount of money  256  and the date of issue  258  are derived from the amount of money  228  and the date of issue  230  from the check information  222 , respectively. The routing number  260 , the account number  262 , and the check number  267  are derived from the routing number  232 , the account number  234 , and the check number  239  from the check information  222 , respectively. The security information  264  is any information which can validate that the check is authentic, and may be derived from the maker&#39;s signature  236 . The maker&#39;s personal information  266  includes things such as the maker&#39;s address and social security number, and may be derived from the maker&#39;s personal information  238 . The debit card network information  268  is added by the conversion device  240 , and specifically the centralized computer  242 , and identifies the type of debit card network being used to send and receive information between the conversion device  240  and the financial institution  270 . For example, if the debit card network  282  was through the PLUS™ or INTERLINK™ networks, then the debit card network information  268  would indicate such. 
     In one embodiment, the debit card data  250  includes the payee&#39;s name  254 , the amount of money  256 , the routing number  260 , the account number  262 , the check number  267 , and the debit card network information  268 . 
     In one embodiment, the conversion device  240  is directly connected with the check reader  210 . In one embodiment, the check reader  210  and the conversion device  240  are formed as one unit. In one embodiment, the check reader  210  includes the conversion device  240 . In this embodiment, preferably, the centralized computer  242  and the imaging recognition computer  218  are one computer. 
     Once the conversion device  240  converts the check information  222  into debit card data  250 , the conversion device  240  then transmits the debit card data  250  to the financial institution  270  over the debit card network  282 . Financial institution  270  is any institution that provides financial services for its clients or members. Financial institution  270  includes any bank, savings and loan, credit union, government institution, or the like. Financial institution  270  includes the maker&#39;s demand account  272  from which the amount of money  228  is to be withdrawn. 
     The financial institution  270  includes financial institution computer  276  which is in communication with the centralized computer  242  via the debit card network  282 . The financial institution computer  276  controls the exchange of money into and out of the demand account  272 . The demand account  272  is assigned the account number  234  on the drawn check  220 . The demand account  272  has a total balance  273  which indicates the total amount of money at any time within the demand account  272 , and an available balance  272  which indicates the amount of money at any time within the demand account  272  available for withdrawal. Upon receiving the debit card data  250 , the financial institution computer  276  queries the demand account  272  to determine the available balance  272 . 
     Upon receipt of the debit card data  250  and upon determination that sufficient funds exist in the demand account  272 , the demand account  272  is debited by the financial institution computer  276 . More specifically, if the available balance  272  is greater than the amount of money  228 , then an amount of money equal to the amount of money  228  is debited or removed from the available balance  272  in real-time and flagged for withdrawal from the demand account  272  at a later date. Additionally, a sufficient funds notice is transmitted in real-time to a user within confirmation data  278  transmitted via the debit card network  282 . The user is any person who is using system  200 , and may include the maker, the payee, a third party who is assisting either the maker or the payee, or any beneficiary of the drawn check  220 . As used herein, the term “in real-time” is preferably less than 12 hours, and more preferably, less than 6 hours, and more preferably less than one hour, and more preferably less than 30 minutes, and more preferably less than ten minutes, and most preferably less than five minutes. 
     Upon receipt of the debit card data  250  and upon determination that sufficient funds do not exist in the demand account  272 , an insufficient funds notice is transmitted back to the user, preferably through the centralized computer  242 . More specifically, if the available balance  272  is not greater than the amount of money  228 , then no money is removed from the available balance  272  and an insufficient funds notice is issued and transmitted in real-time to a user within confirmation data  278  via the debit card network  282 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4  a method  400  for communicating check information  222  to financial institution  270  is shown. The method  400  is initiated at block  401  when a user presents a drawn check  220  to the check reader  210 . Then, at block  402 , the check reader  210  retrieves check information  222  from the drawn check  220 . The check information  222  is communicated to conversion device  240 , whereupon at block  404  the conversion device  240  converts the check information  222  into debit card data  250 . At block  206 , the debit card data  250  is then communicated to the financial institution  270 , and preferably, to financial institution computer  276 . At block  408 , a decision step is initiated whereupon it is determined whether or not the demand account  272  has sufficient funds. More specifically, at block  408 , it is determined whether or not the amount of money  228  on the drawn check  220  is greater than or less than the available balance  274  of the demand account  272 . Preferably, the decision step  408  is made by financial institution computer  276 . 
     If it is determined that the demand account  272  has sufficient funds, then the method  400  moves to block  410 , and the demand account  272  is debited the amount of money  228  and a sufficient funds notice is communicated to a user. If it is determined that the demand account  272  does not have sufficient funds, then the method  400  moves to block  412 , and the demand account  272  is not debited the amount of money  228  and an insufficient funds notice is communicated to a user. Upon moving to either blocks  410  or  412 , the method  400  then moves to block  414  and ends. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4  a method  500  for converting check information  222  into debit card data  250  is shown. The method  500  is initiated at block  501  when check information  222  is retrieved by the check reader  210  and transmitted to conversion device  240 . Then, at block  502 , the conversion device  240  receives check information  222  from the check reader  210 . At block  504 , the check information  222  is converted to debit card data  250  by formatting the check information  222  as debit card data  250  for transmission over a debit card network  282 . Moving to block  506 , the conversion device  240  then transmits the debit card data  250  to demand account  272  within financial institution  270 . Then the method  500  moves to block  508  and ends. 
     Those having skill in the art will recognize that the state of the art has progressed to the point where there is little distinction left between hardware and software implementations of aspects of systems; the use of hardware or software is generally (but not always, in that in certain contexts the choice between hardware and software can become significant) a design choice representing cost vs. efficiency tradeoffs. Those having skill in the art will appreciate that there are various vehicles by which processes and/or systems and/or other technologies described herein can be effected (e.g., hardware, software, and/or firmware), and that the preferred vehicle will vary with the context in which the processes and/or systems and/or other technologies are deployed. For example, if an implementer determines that speed and accuracy are paramount, the implementer may opt for a mainly hardware and/or firmware vehicle; alternatively, if flexibility is paramount, the implementer may opt for a mainly software implementation; or, yet again alternatively, the implementer may opt for some combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware. Hence, there are several possible vehicles by which the processes and/or devices and/or other technologies described herein may be effected, none of which is inherently superior to the other in that any vehicle to be utilized is a choice dependent upon the context in which the vehicle will be deployed and the specific concerns (e.g., speed, flexibility, or predictability) of the implementer, any of which may vary. Those skilled in the art will recognize that optical aspects of implementations will typically employ optically-oriented hardware, software, and or firmware. 
     The foregoing detailed description has set forth various embodiments of the devices and/or processes via the use of block diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples. Insofar as such block diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples contain one or more functions and/or operations, it will be understood by those within the art that each function and/or operation within such block diagrams, flowcharts, or examples can be implemented, individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software, firmware, or virtually any combination thereof. In one embodiment, several portions of the subject matter described herein may be implemented via Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), digital signal processors (DSPs), or other integrated formats. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that some aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein, in whole or in part, can be equivalently implemented in integrated circuits, as one or more computer programs running on one or more computers (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more computers), as one or more programs running on one or more processors (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more microprocessors), as firmware, or as virtually any combination thereof, and that designing the circuitry and/or writing the code for the software and or firmware would be well within the skill of one of skill in the art in light of this disclosure. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the mechanisms of the subject matter described herein are capable of being distributed as a program product in a variety of forms, and that an illustrative embodiment of the subject matter described herein applies regardless of the particular type of signal bearing medium used to actually carry out the distribution. Examples of a signal bearing medium include, but are not limited to, the following: a recordable type medium such as a floppy disk, a hard disk drive, a Compact Disc (CD), a Digital Video Disk (DVD), a digital tape, a computer memory, etc.; and a transmission type medium such as a digital and/or an analog communication medium (e.g., a fiber optic cable, a waveguide, a wired communications link, a wireless communication link, etc.) 
     The herein described subject matter sometimes illustrates different components contained within, or connected with, different other components. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures are merely exemplary, and that in fact many other architectures can be implemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively “associated” such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as “associated with” each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermediate components. Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being “operably connected”, or “operably coupled”, to each other to achieve the desired functionality, and any two components capable of being so associated can also be viewed as being “operably couplable”, to each other to achieve the desired functionality. Specific examples of operably couplable include but are not limited to physically mateable and/or physically interacting components and/or wirelessly interactable and/or wirelessly interacting components and/or logically interacting and/or logically interactable components. 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize that it is common within the art to implement devices and/or processes and/or systems in the fashion(s) set forth herein, and thereafter use engineering and/or business practices to integrate such implemented devices and/or processes and/or systems into more comprehensive devices and/or processes and/or systems. That is, at least a portion of the devices and/or processes and/or systems described herein can be integrated into comprehensive devices and/or processes and/or systems via a reasonable amount of experimentation. Those having skill in the art will recognize that examples of such comprehensive devices and/or processes and/or systems might include—as appropriate to context and application—all or part of devices and/or processes and/or systems of (a) an air conveyance (e.g., an airplane, rocket, hovercraft, helicopter, etc.), (b) a ground conveyance (e.g., a car, truck, locomotive, tank, armored personnel carrier, etc.), (c) a building (e.g., a home, warehouse, office, etc.), (d) an appliance (e.g., a refrigerator, a washing machine, a dryer, etc.), (e) a communications system (e.g., a networked system, a telephone system, a Voice over IP system, etc.), (f) a business entity (e.g., an Internet Service Provider (ISP) entity such as Comcast Cable, Quest, Southwestern Bell, etc.); or (g) a wired/wireless services entity such as Sprint, Cingular, Nextel, etc.), etc. 
     While particular aspects of the present subject matter described herein have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may be made without departing from the subject matter described herein and its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention is defined by the appended claims. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except in light of the appended claims and their equivalents.