Patent Publication Number: US-2015073695-A1

Title: System for route scheduling, driver alerts, and corrective action based on weather guidance

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/877,059, filed Sep. 12, 2013, titled SYSTEM FOR ROUTE SCHEDULING BASED ON WEATHER GUIDANCE. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The disclosed invention relates to a system used to predict weather, compare predicted weather to a scheduled route, and, if necessary based on the predicted weather, provide corrective route instructions to a driver. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Inclement weather has significant impacts on transportation. Studies have shown impacts such as reductions in roadway capacity, increased drivers&#39; response and reaction times, and reduction in travel demands during inclement weather. Studies have also shown that incorporating inclement weather predictions into transportation operations and management can improve transportation system performances. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The disclosed system can predict weather conditions based on where a transportation vehicle is located, as indicated by pre-planned navigational routes and GPS tracking. Drivers and dispatchers can be alerted to current inclement weather affecting the driver as well as inclement weather that may affect the driver several hours or days into the future based on the driver&#39;s position and route. By providing this weather prediction in advance, drivers and dispatchers can choose alternate routes, can delay departure, can adjust delivery timeframes, and can predict fuel economies. 
     As weather conditions constantly change, so does the weather forecast. The disclosed system can provide real-time continuous updates of weather conditions affecting future waypoints and destinations, so the driver or dispatcher may make en-route course adjustments based on the weather. 
     Drivers and dispatchers can be alerted to specific hazards the driver is approaching, such as severe thunderstorms, flash flooding, blizzards, large hail, tornadoes, and other weather phenomena that can directly threaten the safety of the driver or indirectly affect other individuals on the road. To increase safety and economy, the disclosed system can then provide corrective actions for the individual driver based on the type of weather. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a flow diagram of one embodiment of the disclosed system. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a fleet driver&#39;s dashboard according to one embodiment of the disclosed system. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a dispatcher&#39;s dashboard according to one embodiment of the disclosed system. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a message alert for a fleet driver according to one embodiment of the disclosed system. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a message alert for a dispatcher according to one embodiment of the disclosed system. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an initial route for a fleet driver according to one embodiment of the disclosed system. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an alternate route for a fleet driver according to one embodiment of the disclosed system. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an initial route for a fleet driver according to one embodiment of the disclosed system. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates an alternate route for a fleet driver according to one embodiment of the disclosed system. 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic block diagram depicting an example computing system used in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various user interfaces and embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the appended claims. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover application or embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims attached hereto. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     In one embodiment, the disclosed system includes dispatch operations  102 , fleet management software  104 , at least one onboard computer or smart device  106 , weather-fleet comparison software  108 , and weather data  110 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The system, or parts of it, can be coordinated using at least one application. In some embodiments, the application can be a downloadable application. For example, a fleet driver can use one variation of the application on a mobile device, such as a tablet, while a dispatcher can use a second variation of the application on a stationary computing device, such as a desktop computer. Alternatively, a stand-alone physical device can exist that already has all of the software and hardware features integrated into it and that accomplishes most or all of the processes in the described system. 
     Dispatch operations  102  includes dispatch software and employees (i.e., dispatchers) that run the operations control of a company involved in managing fleet operations. In some embodiments, the dispatch operations software can be specialized computer software that monitors the company&#39;s transportation assets. 
     Dispatchers can utilize the fleet management software  104  to communicate directly with fleet drivers. Communication can take place via wireless communication  112 . For example, dispatchers can communicate to fleet drivers through onboard computers or smart devices  106  installed in the fleet driver&#39;s vehicle. 
     The onboard computer or smart device  106  can be installed in the fleet vehicle or carried by a fleet driver (for example, a smartphone, tablet, or any other device that runs an operating system such as, but not limited to, Windows, iOS, and Android) and can allow real-time messaging between the driver of the vehicle and the dispatcher by using the fleet management software  104 . The onboard computer or smart device  106  can also provide the fleet driver with a visual presentation of route and weather data, as described below. 
     The weather-fleet comparison software  108  is capable of comparing fleet routes and positions against a database of inclement weather or expected inclement weather. Route-impacting weather alerts can be issued to appropriate parties, such as the driver and dispatchers. Additionally, the alerts can include suggested route modifications or travel times for the current route or suggested route. These suggestions can be automatically calculated by the weather-fleet comparison software  108  and issued to the driver and dispatchers. Alternatively, dispatchers can enter a suggested route change after receiving an alert and can communicate the suggested route change to the driver using the fleet management software  104 . 
     Weather data  110  represents an aggregation of numerous sources of weather data including, but not limited to, government and private meteorological entities. More specifically, the weather data  110  represents a collection of data from computer programs that poll multiple Internet sources of weather on a scheduled basis (for example, every minute, every 5 minutes, every hour, etc.) depending on when each source is updated. An example source of weather data includes government Doppler radar stations that can indicate the presence of thunderstorms, heavy rain, tornadoes, or other severe weather. After the weather data  110  is collected, it is parsed and converted into a common format that is readable by the disclosed analysis programs. The analysis programs can collect information such as, but not limited to, the time the weather will reach the route, the time the weather will no longer affect the route, the type of weather, the movement of the weather (such as the direction and speed), and a long-form description. After analysis, the weather can be assigned a category of threat based on how it can impact the driver. For example, the weather data analysis can analyze the weather and compare it to the position and heading of the driver. It can determine that 18 MPH crosswinds may constitute a threat, but 18 MPH tailwinds would not. 
     In one embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , dispatch operations  102  communicates to the driver&#39;s onboard computer or smart device  106  via the fleet management software  104 , which can use wireless communication  112  to stay in constant contact with the driver. Information such as navigational routes, driver&#39;s GPS position, and other pertinent information can be delivered back and forth between the dispatcher and the driver using the fleet management software  104  and wireless communication  112 . 
     Location information can be gathered various ways. In one embodiment, the fleet management software  104  can gather and provide GPS information. In another embodiment, a separate mobile application that coordinates all components of the disclosed system can include a GPS component. In a third embodiment, the onboard computer or smart device  106  used to enable communication between the driver and dispatcher can integrate with a separate GPS device, such as, but not limited to, a Garmin navigation device. The system could also employ other location-determination methods or technologies such as those using cell towers or sensors. 
     The weather prediction software  108  can receive constant updates as to the geographic position of fleet vehicles and use that data to determine if weather hazards exist for those geographic locations. If a weather impact is predicted, the weather prediction software  108  can issue an alert to the driver and to the dispatcher. The alert can be an audio alert or a visual alert, such as text. In addition to alerts, the weather prediction software  108  can suggest route modifications or alternate departure and layover times to help the driver avoid inclement weather. Further, if the driver is unable to avoid the weather hazard, the weather prediction software  108  can suggest corrective actions such as, but not limited to, decreasing speed and increasing the distance between vehicles. 
     As described above, the fleet driver and dispatcher can each have a different variation of a downloadable application that coordinates the disclosed system. For example, while the fleet driver and dispatcher can each have a dashboard that displays the above-described information in notification tabs, the dispatcher may have additional notification tabs or additional information in each notification tab because the dispatcher is concerned with weather affecting several drivers whereas the driver is only concerned about weather affecting his or her single route. Additionally, the dispatcher&#39;s variation can be mobile-based or desktop-based, while the fleet driver&#39;s variation is, in most embodiments, a mobile-based application. 
     More specifically, as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the dashboard  200 ,  300  can include notification tabs such as, but not limited to, messages  202 ,  302 , reporting and analysis  212 ,  304 , forecast  206 ,  306 , regional weather status  208 ,  308 , and hot and cold alerts  210 ,  312 . The fleet driver&#39;s dashboard  200  can include a current weather notification tab  204  and the dispatcher&#39;s dashboard  300  can include a Wx affect notification tab  310 . 
     The fleet driver&#39;s dashboard  200 , illustrated in  FIG. 2 , can utilize onboard computing equipment to display a comprehensive view of the fleet driver&#39;s current weather situation as it impacts his or her route. The fleet driver&#39;s dashboard  200  can include notification tabs such as, but not limited to, messages  202 , current weather  204 , truck forecast  206 , regional weather  208 , heat and cold alerts  210 , and reporting and analysis  212 . In one embodiment, the notification tabs have the ability to be laid out in a 2 by 3 or a 3 by 2 matrix depending on the number of notification tabs and whether the device is in a portrait or landscape mode. 
     In some embodiments, the messages notification tab  202  can provide the fleet driver with advanced alerts to inclement weather that is likely to affect the fleet driver&#39;s route. A specific alert, an example of which is illustrated in  FIG. 4 , may pop-up or appear onscreen within the messages notification tab  202 . The specific alert can include information such as, but not limited to, the weather type (for example, heavy rain), where the weather is predicted to occur (for example, 20 miles ahead), the actual impact on traffic (for example, traffic speeds reduced to 32 MPH), and potential corrective actions to take (for example, reduce speed and increase distance between vehicles). The messages notification tab  202  may be static or interactive, wherein the fleet driver can click on or select the tab and the screen will display more comprehensive information, such as prior messages, unopened messages, etc. If the tab is static, the information in the tab will dynamically populate as the weather situation changes. 
     In some embodiments, the weather notification tab  204  can provide the fleet driver with an overview of the current weather for his or her specific location. Current weather information can include, but is not limited to, outside temperature, humidity, wind speeds, wind direction, visibility, and active weather such as rain or snow. If there is inclement weather at the driver&#39;s current location, the weather notification tab  204  can trigger the message notification tab  202  to provide the fleet driver with an alternate route or it can suggest actions to take so as to avoid potential accidents or loss of cargo. For example, temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit could trigger the application&#39;s message function to indicate to a driver of refrigerated cargo that the refrigeration function should be checked to ensure proper temperatures are being kept. The weather notification tab  204  may be static or interactive, wherein the fleet driver can click on or select the tab and the screen will display more comprehensive information. If the tab is static, the information in the tab will dynamically populate as the weather situation changes. 
     In some embodiments, if the fleet driver disregards a suggested alternate route or action, the onboard computer or smart device  106  can relay the fleet driver&#39;s lack of action back to the dispatcher through the fleet management software  104 . For example, if the presence of heavy rain is detected and the application suggests that the driver should slow down, but the driver continues at a high speed on a crowded interstate, the driver&#39;s actions, or lack thereof, can be flagged and reported automatically to the dispatch operations  102 . 
     In some embodiments, the truck forecast notification tab  206  can provide the fleet driver with a location-based future forecast of weather conditions based on the fleet driver&#39;s current route. The truck forecast notification tab  206  may be static or interactive, wherein the fleet driver can click on or select the tab and the screen will display more comprehensive information, such as precipitation percentages, specific locations where inclement weather is expected, etc. If the tab is static, the information in the tab will dynamically populate as the weather situation changes. 
     In some embodiments, the regional weather notification tab  208  can provide the fleet driver with an overview of regional weather so the fleet driver can see, at a glance, what weather impacts may possibly be affecting his or her route. The regional weather notification tab  208  may be static or interactive, wherein the fleet driver can click on or select the tab and the screen will display more comprehensive information, such as a map view, as illustrated in  FIGS. 6-9 . If the tab is static, the information in the tab will dynamically populate as the weather situation changes. 
     In some embodiments, the fleet driver can view the map view prior to his or her departure, as illustrated in  FIGS. 6-9 . The dispatcher may also be able to view a specific fleet driver&#39;s route view on the dispatcher&#39;s regional weather notification tab  308 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , if the fleet driver views the initial route  610  prior to departure, a map can pop up that shows the initial route  610  from the departure point  602  to the arrival point  608 , including designated stopping points  604  and  606  and predicted weather at each point. This view enables the fleet driver to view a pre-planned route combined with the weather forecast on the fleet driver&#39;s onboard computer or smart device  106 . In the initial route  610  depicted in  FIG. 6  there are predicted severe thunderstorms at the arrival point  608 , in St. Louis. Therefore, an alternate route  700 , illustrated in  FIG. 7 , can be presented to the fleet driver. In this way, the disclosed system can ensure the fleet driver delivers his or her products on time and with minimal impact. The alternate route  710  suggests that the fleet driver depart three hours earlier from the departure point  602  and with the same stopping stops  604  and  606 , but on a different route, to arrive at the arrival point  608  in St. Louis before the severe thunderstorms develop. In some embodiments, more than one alternative route can be displayed to the fleet driver along with predicted travel times and weather for each alternative route. The driver can then decide which route he or she would prefer to take. 
       FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate an alternate view of the information in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , wherein severe thunderstorms are predicted at  3 : 00  PM, when the driver is scheduled to arrive at the arrival point  608  in St. Louis on his or her initial route  610 . However, the map view, in addition to showing the map and predicted weather at the departure point  602 , stopping points  604  and  606 , and arrival point  608 , also illustrates additional forecast times  802 . In some embodiments, the driver will see an hourly forecast, with the weather at each predicted hour coinciding with the predicted location of the driver at such time. In an alternative embodiment, the driver may only see the forecast for each specified stop. As illustrated,  FIG. 8  displays the original route  610  with the predicted inclement weather at the arrival point  608 , and  FIG. 9  displays the alternate route  710  with predicted good driving weather throughout the entire trip. 
     In some embodiments, the heat and cold alerts notification tab  210  can indicate how weather conditions may be affecting the fleet driver&#39;s vehicle. For example, in extreme heat or cold conditions, the head and cold alert notification tab  210  may suggest to the fleet driver that he or she should delay his or her schedule or find an alternate route. The heat and cold alerts notification tab  210  may be static or interactive, wherein the fleet driver can click on or select the tab and the screen will display more comprehensive information, such as specific measures to take to prevent damage to goods, specific suggested routes and details about those routes, or specific times to depart at. If the tab is static, the information in the tab will dynamically populate as the weather situation changes. 
     In some embodiments, the reporting and analysis notification tab  212  provides the fleet driver with a report of the driver&#39;s location history, weather alerts history, and reporting capabilities based on previous positions and historical weather data. The reporting and analysis notification tab  212  may be static or interactive, wherein the fleet driver can click on or select the tab and the screen will display more comprehensive information. In some embodiments, the more comprehensive information can include a summary report available to the fleet driver, which can include information such as, but not limited to, miles driven for each trip, total miles driven over a period of time or number of trips, average miles driven per trip, maximum speed, minimum speed, average speed, hard breaking occurrences (frequency, date/time, etc.), frequency of lane departures, total number of stops, when and where re-routing occurred, fuel consumption, and number and frequency of delays. The report can be organized by type of weather of weather condition, day, time of day, length of trip, etc. This information can assist the fleet driver in making better-informed decisions about future weather events. If the tab is static, the information in the tab will dynamically populate as the weather situation changes. 
     The dispatcher&#39;s dashboard  300 , illustrated in  FIG. 3 , can utilize a dedicated computer workstation and analytics to display a comprehensive view of the whole fleet and also to analyze predicted weather impacts for each fleet driver. The dispatcher&#39;s dashboard  300  can include notification tabs such as, but not limited to, messages  302 , fleet forecast  306 , regional weather  308 , heat and cold alerts  310 , reporting and analysis  304 , and Wx affect  312 . In one embodiment, the notification tabs have the ability to be laid out in a 2 by 3 or a 3 by 2 matrix depending on whether the device is in a portrait or landscape mode. 
     The messages notification tab  302  can provide the dispatcher with advanced alerts to inclement weather that is, or is likely, to affect any fleet vehicles. A specific alert, an example of which is illustrated in  FIG. 5 , may pop-up or appear onscreen. The specific alert can include information such as, but not limited to, the truck that is under the alert, the weather type (for example, heavy rain), where the weather is predicted to occur (for example, 20 miles ahead), the actual impact on traffic (for example, traffic speeds reduced to 32 MPH), impacts on travel time (for example, travel time reduced by 15% for approximately 40 miles), and other information (for example, a notice that there is reduced roadway capacity and speed and reduced visibility). One way for the system to obtain the traffic speed is to monitor speeds of nearby vehicles also using the disclosed system. Once the system has determined the traffic speed, it can relay the speed to the fleet driver, dispatcher, and any other fleet drivers heading in the same direction on the same or a similar route. The messages notification tab  302  may be static or interactive, wherein the dispatcher can click on or select the tab and the screen will display more comprehensive information, such as a list of all fleet trucks with current message notifications, wherein each listed truck can be further selected so the dispatcher can view the truck&#39;s specific weather-related information. If the tab is static, the information in the tab will dynamically populate as the weather situation changes. 
     The fleet forecast notification tab  306  can provide the dispatcher with a comprehensive, location-based, future forecast of weather conditions affecting every driver within the entire fleet. The fleet forecast notification tab  306  may be static or interactive, wherein the dispatcher can click on or select the tab and the screen will display more comprehensive information. If the tab is static, the information in the tab will dynamically populate as the weather situation changes. 
     The regional weather notification tab  308  can provide the dispatcher with an overview of regional or national weather so the dispatcher can see, at a glance, what weather impacts may possibly be affecting any of the drivers within the entire fleet. In some embodiments, the regional weather notification tab  308  may show a looping radar map. The regional weather notification tab  308  may be static or interactive, wherein the dispatcher can click on or select the tab and the screen will display more comprehensive information, such as an interactive map that the dispatcher can zoom in and out of, selectable icons for each fleet truck that is currently on the road, etc. If the tab is static, the information in the tab will dynamically populate as the weather situation changes. 
     The heat and cold alerts notification tab  312  can indicate to the dispatcher how weather conditions may be affecting all fleet vehicles. Dispatchers can be made aware of potential equipment failures in advance and schedule maintenance repairs at a fleet driver&#39;s next delivery checkpoint. In extreme heat or cold conditions, the dispatcher may want to delay scheduled departures or find alternate routes for any affected fleet vehicles to prevent damage to cargo in the truck. For example, temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit could trigger the application&#39;s message function to indicate to the dispatcher who has a driver with refrigerated cargo that the dispatcher should tell the driver to check his or her refrigeration function to ensure proper temperatures are being kept. Extreme heat or cold can also affect fuel consumption, tire wear and tear, load safety, and idle time of the vehicle. These effects all result in excess costs and, therefore, the dispatcher may choose to delay departure of the vehicle until the weather improves or alter the route so that the bad weather can be avoided. The heat and cold alerts notification tab  312  may be static or interactive, wherein the dispatcher can click on or select the tab and the screen will display more comprehensive information, such as specific measures to take to prevent damage to goods, specific suggested routes and details about those routes, or specific times to depart at. If the tab is static, the information in the tab will dynamically populate as the weather situation changes. 
     The reporting and analysis notification tab  304  provides the dispatcher with the driving history and reporting capabilities for all fleet vehicles based on comprehensive location data and weather conditions. The reporting and analysis notification tab  304  may be static or interactive, wherein the dispatcher can click on or select the tab and the screen will display more comprehensive information. This information can include, but is not limited to, statistics on all vehicles in regard to miles driven for each trip, miles per gallon (MPG), total miles driven over a period of time or number of trips, average miles driven per trip, maximum speed, minimum speed, average speed, hard breaking occurrences (frequency, date/time, etc.), frequency of lane departures, total number of stops, when and where re-routing occurred, fuel consumption, and number and frequency of delays. This information can assist the dispatcher in making better-informed decisions on many areas of fleet management, including route planning, driver scheduling, and estimating fuel economies as it pertains to weather forecasts. If the tab is static, the information in the tab will dynamically populate as the weather situation changes. 
     The Wx affect notification tab  310  can provide the dispatcher with a quick view of how any inclement weather is impacting the entire fleet of vehicles. For example, in  FIG. 3 , weather is adversely affecting 15% of fleet vehicles currently in transit. The Wx affect notification tab  310  may be static or interactive, wherein the dispatcher can click on or select the tab and the screen will display more comprehensive information. If the tab is static, the information in the tab will dynamically populate as the weather situation changes. 
     The dispatcher&#39;s dashboard  300  can also display a dispatch map view, wherein the dispatcher can view all en route vehicles, can select individual vehicles, and can view any weather-related parameters in regards to those selected vehicles. 
     The foregoing systems and methods could be employed with autonomous, or semi-autonomous, cargo vehicles whereby weather alerts could result in direct, physical re-routing of the vehicle. In one embodiment, an unoccupied vehicle could be automatically controlled by software operation. In an alternative embodiment, a driver, or dispatcher, would monitor the disclosed system to evaluate proposed route changes and could override autonomous operation. 
     In some embodiments, the system described herein uses a computing system to carry out the various functions described herein.  FIG. 12  is a schematic block diagram of an example computing system  1200 . The example computing system  1200  includes at least one computing device  1202 . In some embodiments the computing system  1200  further includes a communication network  1204  and one or more additional computing devices  1206  (such as a server). 
     The computing device  1202  can be, for example, located in a vehicle or in a place of business. In some embodiments, the computing device  1202  is a mobile device. The computing device  1202  can be a stand-alone computing device or a networked computing device that communicates with one or more other computing devices  1206  across a network  1204 . The additional computing device(s)  1206  can be, for example, located remotely from the first computing device  1202 , but configured for data communication with the first computing device  1202  across a network  1204 . 
     In some examples, the computing devices  1202  and  1206  include at least one processor or processing unit  1208  and system memory  1212 . The processor  1208  is a device configured to process a set of instructions. In some embodiments, system memory  1212  may be a component of processor  1208 ; in other embodiments system memory  1212  is separate from the processor  1208 . Depending on the exact configuration and type of computing device, the system memory  1212  may be volatile (such as RAM), non-volatile (such as ROM, flash memory, etc.) or some combination of the two. System memory  1212  typically includes an operating system  1218  suitable for controlling the operation of the computing device  1202 , such as the WINDOWSO operating systems or the OS X operating system, or a server. The system memory  1212  may also include one or more software applications  1214  and may include program data  1216 . 
     The computing device  1202  may have additional features or functionality. For example, the computing device  1202  may also include additional data storage devices  1210  (removable and/or non-removable) such as, for example, magnetic disks, optical disks, or tape. Computer storage media  1210  may include volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information, such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. System memory, removable storage, and non-removable storage are all examples of computer storage media. Computer storage media  1210  includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by the computing device  1202 . An example of computer storage media  1210  is non-transitory media. 
     In some examples, one or more of the computing devices  1202  and  1206  can be located in an establishment, such as vehicle or place of business. In other examples, the computing device  1202  can be a personal computing device that is networked to allow the user to access and utilize the system disclosed herein from a remote location, such as in a user&#39;s home, office or other location. In some embodiments, the computing device  1202  is a smart phone tablet, laptop computer, personal digital assistant, or other mobile device. In some embodiments, system operations and functions are stored as data instructions for a smart phone application. A network  1204  facilitates communication between the computing device  1202  and one or more servers, such as an additional computing device  1206 , that hosts the system. The network  1204  may be a wide variety of different types of electronic communication networks. For example, the network  1204  may be a wide-area network, such as the Internet, a local-area network, a metropolitan-area network, or another type of electronic communication network. The network  1204  may include wired and/or wireless data links. A variety of communications protocols may be used in the network  1204  including, but not limited to, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Transport Control Protocol (TCP), Internet Protocol (IP), Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), SOAP, remote procedure call protocols, and/or other types of communications protocols. 
     In some examples, the additional computing device  1206  is a Web server. In this example, the first computing device  1202  includes a Web browser that communicates with the Web server to request and retrieve data. The data is then displayed to the user, such as by using a Web browser software application. In some embodiments, the various operations, methods, and functions disclosed herein are implemented by instructions stored in memory. When the instructions are executed by the processor  1208  of the one or more computing devices  1202  or  1206 , the instructions cause the processor  1208  to perform one or more of the operations or methods disclosed herein. 
     The various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the claims attached hereto. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various modifications and changes that may be made without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described herein and without departing from the true spirit and scope of the following claims.