Patent Publication Number: US-2023161534-A1

Title: Interactive kiosk with dynamically updated ticker

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This application relates generally to an interactive kiosk installed at a geographic location and, more specifically, to a kiosk and dynamic method of providing information services to pedestrians at a geographic location. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Conventional kiosks can be programmed to display information to onlookers. The information displayed can include advertisements about upcoming events, notifications, and other information. However, the information displayed is typically fixed, once programmed, or periodically changed according to a scheduled program. 
     Kiosks installed at outdoor locations within a city or other metropolitan region are often near landmarks. The kiosk can be used to display information about the landmarks on a primary display. However, the content displayed about nearby landmarks on the primary display of the kiosk is replaced with information specific to criteria input by a pedestrian while the kiosk is in use, or replaced with a defined cycle of advertisements or other content while the kiosk is not in use. As a result, the information about the landmarks may be concealed from public view during such times. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one aspect, the subject application involves a kiosk that is publicly accessible. The kiosk includes a base constructed for installation in a public setting at a geographic region, and an interface that is supportable by the base to receive user input corresponding to content requested to be presented by the kiosk. A control system includes a computer processor that, as a result of executing computer-accessible instructions, causes the control system to access information stored by a non-transitory computer memory and generate an output based on the user input received. A display device is operatively connected to the control system to graphically display the content requested and present the content at the public setting based on the output of the control system. A programmable ticker dynamically displays real-time transit information for the geographic region where the kiosk is to be installed, and a second category of information. The kiosk interchangeably receives or includes the ticker and a placard, which is a static panel or sign that displays static content, once installed. In other words, the kiosk includes a mounting system that allows the ticker and the placard to be interchangeably installed in the kiosk. A border surface of a front panel, which is a surface through which a primary display device is visible, defines an aperture through which the ticker or the placard installed as part of the kiosk is viewable. 
     The above summary presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the systems and/or methods discussed herein. This summary is not an extensive overview of the systems and/or methods discussed herein. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope of such systems and/or methods. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
       The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, embodiments of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein: 
         FIG.  1    shows an embodiment of a kiosk fixedly installed in a public, outdoor environment; 
         FIG.  2    shows an embodiment of a kiosk with a touch-sensitive display device displaying an interactive menu; 
         FIG.  3 A  shows an illustrative embodiment of a kiosk that includes a programmable ticker that dynamically displays real-time transit information for a geographic region where the kiosk is to be installed, and a second category of information; 
         FIG.  3 B  shows a partially cutaway view of a portion of a kiosk revealing a mounting structure for interchangeably installing a programmable ticker and a static placard; and 
         FIG.  4    illustrates an embodiment of a computing device configured as the illustrative embodiments of a kiosk and/or a portable electronic device described herein, and/or to perform various methods disclosed. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the present invention. Relative language used herein is best understood with reference to the drawings, in which like numerals are used to identify like or similar items. Further, in the drawings, certain features may be shown in somewhat schematic form. 
     It is also to be noted that the phrase “at least one of”, if used herein, followed by a plurality of members herein means one of the members, or a combination of more than one of the members. For example, the phrase “at least one of a first widget and a second widget” means in the present application: the first widget, the second widget, or the first widget and the second widget. Likewise, “at least one of a first widget, a second widget and a third widget” means in the present application: the first widget, the second widget, the third widget, the first widget and the second widget, the first widget and the third widget, the second widget and the third widget, or the first widget and the second widget and the third widget. 
     The present technology is directed toward a publicly-accessible kiosk to be installed at a geographic location within a city or other municipality. The kiosk is publicly accessible to allow pedestrians to access content related to the geographic location where the kiosk is installed, optionally in addition to other content. An example of a publicly-accessible kiosk includes a base constructed for installation in the public setting, such as anchored in concrete or another surface forming walkways in the city or metropolitan region where the kiosk is to be installed. An interface is to be supported atop the base, to receive user input corresponding to content requested to be presented by the kiosk. A control system includes a computer processor that, as a result of executing computer-accessible instructions, causes the control system to access information stored by a non-transitory computer memory and generate an output based on the user input received. A display device is operatively connected to the control system to graphically display the content requested, presenting the content at the public setting based on the output of the control system. A programmable ticker is also operatively connected to the control system, to dynamically receive and display real-time transit information for the geographic region where the kiosk is to be installed, and a second category of information. 
     The kiosks may be installed in public settings, such as at outdoor locations throughout a city or metropolitan area for example, located along public transportation routes such as bus lines, rail lines, taxi stations, ride-share locations, etc. Such kiosks are operable to display real-time transit information indicating expected arrival times, delays, subsequent stops, etc. of transportation options at the geographic locations where the kiosks are installed. However, pedestrians using the kiosks may control the content displayed by a primary display device, which can hide transit information or otherwise prevent the transit information from being displayed by the primary display device. 
     The present kiosks can include a programmable ticker arranged separate from the primary display device of the kiosks. A control system is configured to independently control content displayed by the primary display device and the information displayed by the programmable ticker. To maintain the visibility of real-time transit information while the kiosk is in use, and a pedestrian has engaged the primary display device, the control system displays the real-time transit information using the programmable ticker, and optionally displays a second category of information. 
     The control system can receive updated transit information over a communication network in real time, reflecting delays, schedule changes, progress made by public transportation en route to the location adjacent to the kiosk, and other changes to the public transportation option(s) available at the location adjacent to the kiosk. Any such updated transit information can be displayed by the programmable ticker as the updated transit information is received. 
     The programmable ticker can optionally display more than one category of information. For example, the ticker can be controlled by the control system to toggle between operational states. In a first state, the ticker displays the real-time transit information, and in a second state the ticker displays a second category of information. An example of the second category of information includes, but is not limited to static information that is fixed for the geographic region, and identifies a portion of the geographic region where the kiosk is to be installed. More specifically, the information identifying the portion of the geographic region includes at least one of: a street name, a neighborhood name, and a transit stop (e.g., bus stop, rail station, etc.) name. 
     According to some embodiments, the ticker can also be operated in a third operational state in which an emergency notification is displayed. For example, emergency instructions can visually instruct onlooking pedestrians to take shelter from approaching inclement weather, include an AMBER alert notifying onlooking pedestrians of a missing person, or any other instructional or informational message pertaining to a current event. 
     With reference to the drawings,  FIG.  1    shows a kiosk  100  installed along a sidewalk  102 , in a public, outdoor environment  104 , where the kiosk  100  can be accessed by pedestrians  106 . Although  FIG.  1    shows the kiosk  100  installed at an outdoor location, the kiosk can be installed at an indoor location, a quasi-indoor location (e.g., bus terminal, subway station, etc.), or any other publicly-accessible location encountered by pedestrians  106 . 
     As shown, the kiosk  100  includes a base  108  fixedly installed to the underlying ground, which is the sidewalk  102  in  FIG.  1   . Being fixedly installed, the base  108  can be bolted or otherwise anchored to the ground, requiring the use of a tool offering a mechanical advantage to separate the base  108  from the ground without subjecting the base  108  to damage. 
     A display device  110  is supported by the base  108  at an elevation vertically above the sidewalk  102 . Embodiments of the base  108  and display device  110  can include a bottom edge of the display device  110  supported at least fifteen (15 in.) inches above the sidewalk  102 , for example. The display device  110  can optionally be supported by the base so the top edge of the display device  110  is at least thirty (30 in.) inches above the sidewalk  102 , and up to forty-eight (48 in.) inches above the sidewalk  102 . For example, the display device  110  can include a height that is at least twenty five (25 in.) inches tall, or at least thirty (30 in.) inches tall, or at least thirty five (35 in.) inches tall, or at least forty (40 in.) inches tall, etc. The height of the display device  110  provides sufficient screen area to display the requested content, and limits the footprint of the sidewalk  102  consumed by the kiosk  100 . 
     The display device  110  can be configured as a touch-sensitive display device, forming an interface by which user input can be entered into the kiosk  100 . For example, touch-sensitive circuitry  112  including one or more transparent electrodes can form an x-y grid of sensor pixels in a plane that is generally parallel with an external surface of the display device  110 . Human contact with a region of the display device  110  influences a sensed electrical value in the vicinity of that region. The influence is detected by vertical and horizontal portions of the touch-sensitive circuitry  112  to pinpoint the location of the region that was contacted. A spatial relationship between content displayed by the display device  110  and the contacted region of the touch-sensitive circuitry  112  can be utilized by a control system  114 , described below, that is operatively connected to the touch-sensitive circuitry  112  to provide context to the user input. 
     Although the embodiment of the interface is described above as a touch-sensitive display device, the present application technology is not so limited. Examples of other embodiments of the interface can optionally include at least one of a track ball, a track pad, and a keyboard. 
     A camera  116  (e.g., including a CMOS, CCD, etc. imaging sensor) can optionally be included as part of the kiosk  100 . The camera can be trained on a region immediately in front of the kiosk  100 , or on another region having a backdrop of interest. For example, a kiosk  100  installed within view of a landmark may include a camera  116  trained on that landmark. Pedestrians  106  can stand within the field of view of the camera  116 , and have their photographs taken. The display device  110  can optionally display the field of view as a digital viewfinder, allowing the pedestrians  106  to properly position themselves within the photograph, relative to the landmark. 
     The photographs can be stored locally, in a non-transitory computer-readable medium  1005  ( FIG.  4   ) connected to the control system  114 , supported by the base  108 . According to other embodiments, the photographs can be stored in a remotely-located, non-transitory computer-readable medium, by transmitting the photographs over a communication network. To limit the impact of transmitting photos on bandwidth available to the kiosk  100 , transmission of the photos can occur at times when bandwidth usage is below a threshold, such as during the night, when few pedestrians are expected to interact the kiosk  100 . 
     The control system  114  is operable to dynamically generate various graphical user interfaces such as menus, search interfaces, maps, and other content requested by pedestrians  106 . According to one embodiment, the control system  114  can be a computing device  1000  or a computer  1015  forming a portion of the computing device  1000 , as shown and described with reference to  FIG.  4   , for example, that generates content to be displayed by the display device  110  as the primary display. The display device  110  is referred to herein as the “primary” display device because it is the largest of the display devices provided to the kiosk  100 , occupying a majority of the front face of the kiosk  100 . It is also the central point of interaction that displays content requested by pedestrians  106  using the kiosk  100 . 
       FIG.  2    shows an embodiment of the kiosk  100 , with the display device  110  displaying an interactive menu  202 . The menu  202  includes a plurality of icons, generally referred to at  204 , each representing a different category of content that can be requested by a pedestrian  106  through the touch-sensitive display device  110  as the interface, for example. The menu  202  can optionally include all available icons  204 , or can be scrollable, tabulated, or otherwise configured to allow hidden icons  204  that are not concurrently displayed on a single page to be made viewable. 
     The icons  204  of the embodiment of the kiosk  100  shown in  FIG.  2    include a dining icon  204 A. In response to receiving user input via the interface indicating a user selection of the dining icon  204 A, the display device  110  can present a dining interface. For the present embodiments, and the description that follows, the interface will be described as a touch-sensitive display device  110  that receives user input as a result of the pedestrian  106  contacting the display device  110 . 
     The dining interface can include information about local dining options in the vicinity of the geographic location of the kiosk  100 . For example, a list of local dining options can be presented in an order of increasing distance from the kiosk. The order, and/or the local dining options displayed can optionally be user-definable. For example, the local dining options can be sorted based on at least one of: distance from the kiosk  100 , user reviews, cost, etc. As another example, the local dining options displayed can be filtered based on at least one of: type of cuisine, cost, minimum review score, maximum distance from the kiosk  100 , attire, etc., thereby limiting the number of local dining options displayed. 
     The local dining options displayed can optionally be obtained from a dining database, locally stored by the non-transitory computer-readable medium  1005  ( FIG.  4   ) that is connected locally to the control system  114 . Being locally connected allows the control system  114  to access and communicate with the non-transitory computer-readable medium  1005 , even in the absence of a communication network connecting the kiosk  100  to a separate computer terminal. Information in the dining database can optionally be updated occasionally, such as by caching information received from a remotely-stored database over a communication network at times when such a network is available. Updates can also optionally be scheduled for times when network traffic is relatively low, compared to high-traffic times of day. The local dining options displayed can optionally be accompanied by information about the type of cuisine, and/or rating information indicating local dining reviews submitted by pedestrians or others who have dined at the respective local dining options. A refinement tool can optionally be provided to allow the pedestrians to filter the local dining options displayed according to at least one of: a desired cuisine, a minimum review threshold, a distance from the kiosk  100 , and other options. 
     In response to receiving user input selecting one of the displayed dining options, a computer processor of the control system  114  executes computer-accessible instructions and, as a result, causes the control system  114  to access information related to dining options nearby stored by a non-transitory computer memory. The control system  114  generates an output based on the user input received and the output causes the display device  110  to graphically display the content requested (e.g., nearby dining options), presenting the content to the pedestrian  106  at the public setting of the kiosk  100 . The local dining options, any other dining options  401  or other content retrieved by the control system  114  based on the user input, can optionally be retrieved or otherwise obtained from a website operated and/or hosted by, or on behalf of a third party. 
     Although dining options are described herein as an example of the content displayed by the display device  110 , the present disclosure is not so limited. Entertainment options, landmark options, retail options, service locations, directions to a destination, any other content of interest in the geographic region where the kiosk  100  is installed, etc. are all examples of the content that can be displayed based on user input to the kiosk  100 . 
     Another example of the output generated by the control system  114  includes a computer-readable code, such as the code described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/747,929 to Gilbert et al., which is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference. 
       FIG.  3 A  shows a front view of an illustrative embodiment of a kiosk  100  that includes a programmable ticker  300 . As shown, the ticker  300  extends laterally, across a front face  302  of the kiosk  100 , adjacent to a top  304  of the kiosk  100 . Positioned adjacent to the top  304  of the kiosk  100 , the ticker  300  is observable over a crowd of pedestrians  106 . However, alternate embodiments of the ticker  300  can be arranged elsewhere on the kiosk  100  without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     The ticker  300  includes a display device  306  such as a LED panel, an array of discrete LEDs that are selectively illuminated in sequence to visually display ticker content, or any other suitable electronic display device that dynamically displays real-time transit information for the geographic region where the kiosk  100  is installed, and a second category of information as described herein. 
     The ticker  300  is operatively connected to communicate with the control system  114  to receive the content to by displayed. For example, the control system  114  can communicate with a remote server over a communication network such as a cellular and/or public-interchange phone network, a local area network (“LAN”) such as an 802.1x compliant network established under the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (“IEEE”) or an Ethernet connection, a wide area network (“WAN”) such as the Internet, or any combination thereof. Ticker content such as real-time transit information, emergency notifications, news feeds, or any other information to be displayed by the ticker  300  can be received over the communication network. At least a portion of the content received by the control system  114  can be transmitted by the control system  114  to the ticker  300  to be displayed. 
     Real-time transit information can be one or more of information relating to: (i) the arrival or status of public transportation at, or en route to a location adjacent to the kiosk  100 , (ii) the arrival or status of private ride sharing hailed to the location adjacent to the kiosk  100 ; (iii) current traffic conditions within or near the geographic region where the kiosk  100  is installed; (iii) interruptions to public transportation available at the location adjacent to the kiosk  100 ; and other information relating to transportation available at or near the kiosk  100 . As a specific example, the ticker  300  in  FIG.  3 A  is shown displaying the estimated arrival time of bus “18E,” with a final destination of “COLEFAX AVE,” in “8 MIN.” The transit information displayed can optionally appear as a sequence of fixed individual displays, scroll across the display device  306  in a direction generally indicated by arrow  308  from a right lateral side toward a left lateral side, or otherwise rendered by the display device  306 . Based on this information displayed by the ticker  300 , pedestrians  106  observing the kiosk  100  are informed that bus 18E is expected to stop near the kiosk  100  in approximately 8 minutes. This information can be displayed by the ticker  300  even while a pedestrian  106  is interacting with the primary display device  110 , causing the display device  110  to display content other than transit information. 
     As another example of real-time transit information, the ticker  300  can display a delay of a bus or other form of transportation at or near the kiosk  100 . If bus 18E in the preceding example was to be delayed by ten (10 min.) minutes, the ticker  300  can display a delay notification, or simply update the expected arrival time to indicate expected arrival in eighteen (18 min.) minutes instead of eight (8 min.) minutes. 
     Transit information transmitted to the control system  114  over the communication network can be updated in real time, as changes occur. For example, buses in a geographic region can be equipped with global position satellite (“GPS”) sensors. The position of such busses can be triangulated based on data collected by the GPS sensors, and uploaded to a server or other terminal that relays the location of the busses to a router or other data distribution network to be conveyed to the control system  114  over the communication network. The location of the busses, the expected arrival time, or other real-time transit information can be reflected by the content displayed by the ticker  300 . 
     As mentioned above, the ticker  300  can be toggled to operate in a second operational state in which the ticker  300  displays a second category of information, in addition to the real-time transit information displayed by the ticker  300  in a first operational state. For example, the second category of information can include static information, that is fixed for the geographic region, and is different than the transit information for the location adjacent to the kiosk  100 . For example, the second category of information can identify a portion of the geographic region where the kiosk  100  is installed. More specifically, the static information can identify at least one of: the name of a street along which the kiosk  100  is installed (e.g., Mayfield Road), a neighborhood name (e.g., Little Italy); and a transit stop name (e.g., Cedar-University Rapid Station). 
     The static information in the second category of information is said to be static because it does not change for the geographic region where the kiosk  100  is installed. In other words, the name of a street, a neighborhood or a transit station does not commonly change on a daily basis, like a delay in a bus schedule during a busy commuting time. Static information, as used herein, does not necessarily require information in the second category to remain fixed or stationary on the ticker  300 , although the static information can be presented as a fixed display by the ticker  300 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  3 B , the display device  306  of the ticker  300  can be installed on the kiosk  100  by a mounting structure  310  such as a frame, for example, that couples the display device  306  to a housing of the kiosk  100 . The mounting structure includes a releasable fastener  312  that is also compatible with a non-programmable placard  314  that displays fixed content. Accordingly, different model variants of the kiosk  100 , a variant including the ticker  300  and a variant including the placard  314 , can be assembled using a common mounting structure  310 . The flexibility to assemble different model variants of the kiosk  100  to accept different configurations of a component (e.g., the ticker  300  and the placard  314 ) limits the number of unique components required to be warehoused. 
     Some embodiments of the placard  314  include a panel of material such as an acrylic, for example, including a first region formed from a transparent or translucent material and a second portion that is substantially-opaque. The placard  314  is visible through an aperture  318  ( FIG.  3 A ) formed in a housing of the kiosk  100 . Similarly, for model variants of the kiosk  100  that include the ticker  300  including the display device  306  installed instead of the placard  314 , the display device  306  is secured in a location by the mounting structure  310  to be visible through the aperture  318 . According to other embodiments, the mounting structure  310  can optionally have a different physical configuration to couple the ticker  300  and the placard  314  to the kiosk  100  to be visible through the aperture  318 . Although the mounting structure  310  that couples the ticker  300  to the kiosk  100  is different from the mounting structure  310  that couples the placard  314  to the kiosk  100  is different, the ticker  300  or the placard  314 , whichever is installed, is visible through the aperture  318  in the common front face  302  of the kiosk  100  used for both model variants. In other words, the ticker  300  that can be reprogrammed in situ, within the kiosk  100  and without being physically replaced, to display different content, and the placard  314 , that displays static content and must be physically replaced to display different static content, can be interchangeably installed in the kiosk  100  to form different model variants of the kiosk  100 . The same front face  302  including a border defining an aperture  318  can be installed on both model variants, for example, to allow the ticker  300  or placard  314 , depending on which is installed, to be visible through the aperture  318 , limiting manufacturing costs by employing common parts between the model variants. 
     The first portion can define words, symbols or other content to be illuminated by a backlight  316  (shown in hidden lines) within the kiosk  100  adjacent to the placard  314 . Although the backlight  316  is shown behind the placard  314  in  FIG.  3 B , the backlight  316  can be arranged adjacent to a border of the placard  314  to edge-light the placard, or at any other location relative to the placard  314  to produce a desired visual effect. Such a placard  314  is not programmable, as the information the placard  314  conveys is fixed when the placard  314  is installed in the kiosk, requiring the placard  314  to be physically removed from the kiosk  100  and replaced by a new placard  314  to display different static content than the placard  314  being replaced. The placard  314  can present any of the static information described herein, including but not limited to a street name, neighborhood name, or transit stop, for example. 
     Computing Device Embodiment 
       FIG.  4    illustrates an example of a computing device  1000  that is configured and/or programmed with one or more of the illustrative systems and methods described herein, and/or equivalents. The illustrative embodiment of the computing device  1000  may include a computer  1015  that includes a computer processor  1020 , a memory  1035 , and input/output ports  1045  operably connected by a bus  1025 . In one example, the computer  1015  may include ticker control module logic  1057  configured to generate the content displayed by the display device  306  of the ticker  300 , and/or configured to implement and perform the methods described herein. In different examples, the logic  1057  may be implemented in hardware, a non-transitory computer-readable medium with stored instructions, firmware, and/or combinations thereof. While the logic  1057  is illustrated as hardware components attached to the bus  1025 , it is to be appreciated that in other embodiments, the logic  1057  could be implemented in the computer processor  1020 , stored in memory  1035 , or stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium  1005 . 
     The computer  1015  may be implemented, for example, as an ASIC programmed to create generate and transmit emergency assistant requests as described herein. According to alternate embodiments, the technology for transmitting emergency assistance requests may also be implemented as stored computer executable instructions that are presented to the computer  1015  as data  1010  that are temporarily stored in memory  1035  and then executed by computer processor  1020 . 
     Logic  1057  may also be embodied as hardware such as a non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores executable instructions, firmware, etc. When executed, the executable instructions perform a method of anonymously conveying content from a public kiosk to a private portable electronic device as described herein. 
     Generally describing an illustrative configuration of the computer  1015 , the computer processor  1020  may be a variety of various processors including dual microprocessor and other multi-processor architectures. A memory  1035  may include volatile memory and/or non-volatile memory. Non-volatile memory may include, for example, ROM, PROM, and so on. Volatile memory may include, for example, RAM, SRAM, DRAM, and so on. 
     A storage disk  1055  may be operably connected to the computer  1015  via, for example, an input/output (I/O) interface (e.g., card, device)  1040  and an input/output port  1045 . The disk  1055  may be, for example, a magnetic disk drive, a solid-state disk drive, a floppy disk drive, a tape drive, a Zip drive, a flash memory card, a memory stick, and so on. Furthermore, the disk  1055  may be a CD-ROM drive, a CD-R drive, a CD-RW drive, a DVD ROM, and so on. The memory  1035  can store a process and/or a data  1010 , for example. The disk  1055  and/or the memory  1035  can store an operating system that controls and allocates resources of the computer  1015 . 
     The computer  1015  may interact with input/output (I/O) devices via the I/O interfaces  1040  and the input/output ports  1045 . Input/output devices may be, for example, a keyboard, a microphone, a pointing and selection device, cameras, video cards, displays, the disk  1055 , the network devices  1050 , and so on. The input/output ports  1045  may include, for example, serial ports, parallel ports, and USB ports. 
     The computer  1015  can operate in a network environment and thus may be connected to the network devices  1050  via the I/O interfaces  1040 , and/or the I/O ports  1045 . Through the network devices  1050 , the computer  1015  may interact with a network. Through the network, the computer  1015  may be logically connected to remote computers. Networks with which the computer  1015  may interact include, but are not limited to, a LAN, a WAN, and other networks. 
     Definitions and Other Embodiments 
     In another embodiment, the described methods and/or their equivalents may be implemented with computer executable instructions. Thus, in one embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable/storage medium is configured with stored computer executable instructions of an algorithm/executable application that when executed by a machine(s) cause the machine(s) (and/or associated components) to perform the method. Example machines include but are not limited to a computer processor, a computer, a server operating in a cloud computing system, and so on. In one embodiment, a computing device is implemented with one or more executable algorithms that are configured to perform any of the disclosed methods. 
     In one or more embodiments, the disclosed methods or their equivalents are performed by either: computer hardware configured to perform the method; or computer instructions embodied in a module stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium where the instructions are configured as an executable algorithm configured to perform the method when executed by at least a processor of a computing device. 
     While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the illustrated methodologies in the figures are shown and described as a series of blocks of an algorithm, it is to be appreciated that the methodologies are not limited by the order of the blocks. Some blocks can occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from that shown and described. Moreover, less than all the illustrated blocks may be used to implement an example methodology. Blocks may be combined or separated into multiple actions/components. Furthermore, additional and/or alternative methodologies can employ additional actions that are not illustrated in blocks. 
     The following includes definitions of selected terms employed herein. The definitions include various examples and/or forms of components that fall within the scope of a term and that may be used for implementation. The examples are not intended to be limiting. Both singular and plural forms of terms may be within the definitions. 
     References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “alternate embodiment,” “one example”, “an example”, and so on, indicate that the embodiment(s) or example(s) so described may include a particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation, but that not every embodiment or example necessarily includes that particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element or limitation. Furthermore, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, though it may. 
     ASIC: application specific integrated circuit. 
     CD: compact disk. 
     CD-R: CD recordable. 
     CD-RW: CD rewriteable. 
     DVD: digital versatile disk and/or digital video disk. 
     LAN: local area network. 
     RAM: random access memory. 
     ROM: read only memory. 
     USB: universal serial bus. 
     WAN: wide area network. 
     “Computer-readable medium” or “computer storage medium”, as used herein, refers to a non-transitory medium that stores instructions and/or data configured to perform one or more of the disclosed functions when executed. Data may function as instructions in some embodiments. A computer-readable medium may take forms, including, but not limited to, non-volatile media, and volatile media. Non-volatile media may include, for example, optical disks, magnetic disks, and so on. Volatile media may include, for example, semiconductor memories, dynamic memory, and so on. Common forms of a computer-readable medium may include, but are not limited to, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape, other magnetic medium, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device, a compact disk (CD), other optical medium, a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a memory chip or card, a memory stick, solid state storage device (SSD), flash drive, and other media from which a computer, a processor or other electronic device can function with. Each type of media, if selected for implementation in one embodiment, may include stored instructions of an algorithm configured to perform one or more of the disclosed and/or claimed functions. 
     “Logic”, as used herein, represents a component that is implemented with computer or electrical hardware, a non-transitory medium with stored instructions of an executable application or program module, and/or combinations of these to perform any of the functions or actions as disclosed herein, and/or to cause a function or action from another logic, method, and/or system to be performed as disclosed herein. Equivalent logic may include firmware, a microprocessor programmed with an algorithm, a discrete logic (e.g., ASIC), at least one circuit, an analog circuit, a digital circuit, a programmed logic device, a memory device containing instructions of an algorithm, and so on, any of which may be configured to perform one or more of the disclosed functions. In one embodiment, logic may include one or more gates, combinations of gates, or other circuit components configured to perform one or more of the disclosed functions. Where multiple logics are described, it may be possible to incorporate the multiple logics into one logic. Similarly, where a single logic is described, it may be possible to distribute that single logic between multiple logics. In one embodiment, one or more of these logics are corresponding structure associated with performing the disclosed and/or claimed functions. Choice of which type of logic to implement may be based on desired system conditions or specifications. For example, if greater speed is a consideration, then hardware would be selected to implement functions. If a lower cost is a consideration, then stored instructions/executable application would be selected to implement the functions. 
     An “operable connection”, or a connection by which entities are “operably connected”, is one in which signals, physical communications, and/or logical communications may be sent and/or received. An operable connection may include a physical interface, an electrical interface, and/or a data interface. An operable connection may include differing combinations of interfaces and/or connections sufficient to allow operable control. For example, two entities can be operably connected to communicate signals to each other directly or through one or more intermediate entities (e.g., processor, operating system, logic, non-transitory computer-readable medium). Logical and/or physical communication channels can be used to create an operable connection. 
     While the disclosed embodiments have been illustrated and described in considerable detail, it is not the intention to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the various aspects of the subject matter. Therefore, the disclosure is not limited to the specific details or the illustrative examples shown and described. Thus, this disclosure is intended to embrace alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims. 
     To the extent that the term “includes” or “including” is employed in the detailed description or the claims, it is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as that term is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. 
     Illustrative embodiments have been described, hereinabove. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above devices and methods may incorporate changes and modifications without departing from the general scope of this invention. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.