Patent Publication Number: US-8538889-B2

Title: Application hierarchy and state manipulation

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Software licensing has grown increasingly complex as offerings of software products (selling units), groupings of software products, and varieties of software products have increased. Frequently, software product(s) employ a grace period during which a user can evaluate a particular software product. 
     Typically, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) stage an application installation of a client computer on an image of an operating system and then fine tune the installation before shipping the client computer to a customer. Fine tuning of the application installation can trigger an activation timer, so OEMs are permitted to reset the activation timer in order for the customer to fully enjoy a grace period associated with the activation timer. The process of resetting the activation timer can be referred to as “rearming”. 
     Rearming applications is also useful when a customer desires to have an extended grace time period. In both retail and enterprise environments, customers may desire to have an extended grace period in order to fully evaluate the application. To facilitate this extended grace period, the activation timer can be rearmed one or more times per application. 
     For example, a system administrator for a large enterprise can obtain a copy of a suite of applications to evaluate without activation. If the system administrator desires to evaluate the suite for ninety days without activation, with a standard activation grace timer of thirty days, the system administrator can run a rearm tool to reset the grace timer every thirty days. The reset would generally have no effect on an absolute evaluation expiration of the suite. 
     SUMMARY 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     An application hierarchy is a tree structure that represents logical product offering(s), for example, of software application(s). An instance of the application hierarchy can be stored on a client computer to facilitate enforcement of software licensing by a software license component of a software protection system. 
     The application hierarchy is a tree structure (e.g., unordered) that includes a top node, one or more product offering group(s), and, one or more selling unit(s). A product offering group can be an intermediate level of organization of selling unit(s), for example, product(s) such as application(s) sold in similar channel(s), based on commonality of offering and/or similarities in an enforcement mechanism. 
     An identifier can be assigned to each node of the application hierarchy. Thus, state data and/or property(ies) of a particular node can be accessed (e.g., through an application program interface (API)) of the software license component via the assigned identifier. For example, a rearm count associated with a particular node can be accessed through the application program interface via the assigned identifier. 
     The application hierarchy can, for example, represent an entire application suite, where the top node represents the product and the product offering group(s) represents logical selling and/or marketing unit(s). The top node, product offering group and/or the selling unit(s) can have associated state data, for example, license property(ies) that can be accessible for manipulation. In one example, the state data can facilitate the assignment of license rights to selling units of a particular product offering group. 
     Optionally, two or more distinct selling units can be grouped into a product uniqueness group. A product uniqueness group can include selling unit(s) from one or more product offering group(s). For example, product uniqueness group(s) can be used to reduce operational complexity when selling units sold in different channels interface with a backend server in a particular manner. Thus, instead of deploying interfaces for each distinct selling unit, a single deployment can interface with the selling units of a particular product uniqueness group. 
     A computer-implemented software protection system can facilitate enforcement of software licensing on a client computer. The software protection system includes a software license component that can store and enforce software licensing rule(s). 
     The software license component can further manipulate state data of an instance of the application hierarchy stored in a licensing data store via application program interface(s) (APIs). State data and/or property(ies) of a particular node of the instance of the application hierarchy can be accessed through the API via an assigned identifier. 
     To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an application hierarchy. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a computer-implemented software protection system. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a computer-implemented software validation system. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a computer-implemented method of protecting software. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a computer-implemented method of protecting software. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a computer-implemented method facilitating software validation. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a computing system operable to execute the disclosed architecture. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a computing environment operable to execute the disclosed architecture. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     An application hierarchy is a tree structure that represents logical product offering(s), for example, of software application(s). An instance of the application hierarchy can be stored on a client computer to facilitate enforcement of software licensing by a software license component of a software protection system. 
     The application hierarchy is a tree structure (e.g., unordered) that includes a top node, one or more product offering group(s), and, one or more selling unit(s). A product offering group can be an intermediate level of organization of selling unit(s), for example, product(s) such as application(s) sold in similar channel(s), based on commonality of offering and/or similarities in an enforcement mechanism. 
     An identifier can be assigned to each node of the application hierarchy. Thus, state data and/or property(ies) of a particular node can be accessed (e.g., through an application program interface (API)) of the software license component via the assigned identifier. For example, a rearm count associated with a particular node can be accessed through the application program interface via the assigned identifier. 
     Reference is now made to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the novel embodiments can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. 
     Referring initially to the drawings,  FIG. 1  illustrates an application hierarchy  100 . The application hierarchy  100  is a tree structure that represents logical product offering(s), for example, of software application(s). For example, an instance of the application hierarchy  100  can be stored on a client computer (not shown) to facilitate enforcement of software licensing, as discussed in greater detail below. 
     The application hierarchy  100  is a tree structure (e.g., unordered) that includes a top node  110 , one or more product offering group(s)  120 , and, one or more selling unit(s)  130 . A product offering group  120  can be an intermediate level of organization of selling unit(s)  130 , for example, product(s) such as application(s) sold in similar channel(s), based on commonality of offering and/or similarities in an enforcement mechanism. 
     In one embodiment, the application hierarchy  100  can represent an application suite, where the top node  110  represents the product and the product offering group(s)  120  represents logical selling and/or marketing unit(s). It is to be appreciated that while only one level of product offering group(s)  120  is illustrated in the application hierarchy  100  of  FIG. 1 , the application hierarchy  100  can include one or more levels of product offering group(s)  120 . The selling unit(s)  130  (e.g., leaf node(s) of the tree) represent specific selling units in each of the channels. 
     In this embodiment, an identifier (e.g., globally unique identifier (GUID)) can be assigned to each node (top node  110 , product offering group(s)  120  and selling unit(s)  130 ) of the application hierarchy  100 . Thus, state data and/or property(ies) of a particular node can be accessed (e.g., through an application program interface (API)) via the assigned identifier. For example, a rearm count associated with a particular node can be accessed through an application program interface via the assigned identifier. 
     For example, the top node  110  can represent a suite of products, the product offering group  120  can represent one or more logic selling channels (e.g., retail, OEM, etc.). Finally, the selling unit(s)  130  can represent a physical selling unit of the suite of products (e.g., word processor application, spreadsheet application, database application, email application, etc.). 
     The top node  110 , product offering group  120  and/or the selling unit(s)  130  can have associated state data, for example, license property(ies) that can be accessible for manipulation. In one example, the state data can facilitate the assignment of license rights to selling units  130  of a particular product offering group  120 . 
     For example, a particular product offering group  120  can have a rearm count associated with the particular product offering group  120 . In one example, rearm is a method to restore a particular system to an initial inactivated state by resetting a grace timer and other data protected by a security processor (e.g., a component designed to store and protect data). A rearm generally clears a timer at a particular level (e.g., top node  110 , product offering group  120  or selling unit  130 ), but only up to a specific number of allowances (e.g., rearm count). 
     In one embodiment, there is no implied relationship between data at higher level node and child node(s) associated with the higher level node. However, in this embodiment, data available at a higher level node is available to child node(s). 
     For example, a particular product offering group  120  can have a rearm count of five. Selling unit(s)  130  associated with the particular product offering group  120  can likewise have an initial rearm count of five, based on the rearm count associated with the particular product offering group  120 . However, as noted previously, data associated with the selling unit(s)  130  can be separately manipulated. Thus, based on operation(s) performed at each level, an actual number of rearms performed may be different. For example, an OEM can choose to rearm a particular selling unit  130  three times while choosing to rearm a different selling unit  130  two times. 
     Optionally, two or more distinct selling units  130  can be grouped into a product uniqueness group  140 . A product uniqueness group  140  can include selling unit(s)  130  from one or more product offering group(s)  120 . For example, a retail offering of a word processing application and an OEM offering of a word processing application can be grouped under a word processing product uniqueness group  140 . 
     In one embodiment, product uniqueness group(s)  140  can be used to reduce operational complexity when selling units  130  sold in different channels interface with a backend server in a particular manner. Thus, instead of deploying interfaces for each distinct selling unit  130 , a single deployment can interface with the selling units  130  of a particular product uniqueness group  140 . 
     Continuing with the example of a retail offering of a word processing application and an OEM offering of a word processing application grouped under a word processing product uniqueness group  140 . Instead of deploying separate validation templates for each selling unit  130 , a validation server can deploy a single validation template for the product uniqueness group  140 . The single validation template can be used to validate selling units  130  of the product uniqueness group  140 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a computer-implemented software protection system  200 . The software protection system  200  can facilitate enforcement of software licensing on a client computer. The software protection system  200  includes a software license component  210  that can store and enforce software licensing rule(s). 
     The software license component  210  can further manipulate state data of an instance of the application hierarchy  100  stored in a licensing data store  220  via application program interface(s) (APIs)  230 . State data and/or property(ies) of a particular node of the instance of the application hierarchy  100  can be accessed, for example, through the API  230  via an assigned identifier. 
     In one embodiment, the software protection system  200  can be a component of a client computer. In another embodiment, the software license component  210  can reside on a server computer system while the licensing data store  220  is stored on a client computer. In yet another embodiment, the software protection system  200  can be a component of a server computer system. 
     In one embodiment, the software license component  210  stores software licensing rule(s) providing for manipulation of state data of the application hierarchy  100  recursively in a top-down manner and not in a bottom-up manner. Thus, a state change at a higher level node (e.g., product offering group  120 ) has a ripple effect on child node(s) (e.g., selling unit(s)  130 ). 
     For example, a rearm at a particular product offering group  120  causes a rearm on selling unit(s)  130  associated with the particular product offering group  120 . Similarly, a property indicating an estimation of non-genuineness associated with a particular product offering group  120  causes all selling unit(s) associated with the particular product offering group  120  to be considered non-genuine. 
     In this embodiment, a state change at a particular selling unit  130  deterministically affects the particular selling unit  130 . The effect, if any, on associated product offering group  120  and/or top node  110  can be defined by a rule. 
     In one example, a rearm of a particular selling unit  130  does not automatically cause a corresponding increase in a rearm count of an associated product offering group  120 . However, a rule can provide for rearm counts of other selling unit(s)  130  of the associated product offering group  120  to be decreased. 
     Similarly, in another example, a determination that a particular selling unit  130  is non-genuine does not automatically mean that an associated product offering group  120  is non-genuine. However, a rule can provide for propagation of a non-genuine property from a selling unit  130  to another selling unit of the same product offering group  120  (e.g., non-genuine property of word processing propagated to spreadsheet application). 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a computer-implemented software validation system  300 . The software validation system  300  includes a web-based validation component  310  which communicates with a client computer  320 , for example, via the Internet. The client computer  320  includes a software protection system  200  having a software license component  210  and a licensing data store  220 , as discussed previously. 
     For example, the client computer  320  can communicate with the web-based validation component  310  based upon an event, for example, a client computer request for an update, request for template etc. The software protection system  200  can provide information to the web-based validation component  310  based upon state data of an instance of the application hierarchy  100  stored in the licensing data store  220 , for example, a genuine property of word processing application. 
     In this example, while the software license component  210  can enforce software licensing rules as discussed previously, the web-based validation component  310  can provide additional information to the software protection system  200  to affect behavior of the client computer  320 . For example, the web-based validation component  310  can block access to web-based resource(s) such as software update(s), template(s) and/or disable selling unit(s)  130  associated with a particular product offering group  120 , if one or more selling units  130  are reported to be non-genuine. 
     Additionally, the web-based validation component  310  can determine mismatched selling units  130 . For example, a retail version of a word processing application and an OEM version of a spreadsheet application. The web-based validation component  310  can provide information to the client computer  320 , for example, regarding correction of the mismatched selling units  130 . 
     The web-based validation component  310  can further provide information regarding inconsistent installation of selling unit(s)  130 , for example, retail and OEM versions of a word processing application installed on the client computer  320 . The web-based component  310  can further provide information to a user to facilitate correction of identified problem(s). 
     While use of the application hierarchy  100  has been described with respect to software protection and software licensing enforcement, those skilled in the art will recognize that the application hierarchy  100  can be employed to facilitate software inventory tracking, software asset management and the like. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a computer-implemented method of protecting software. While, for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the one or more methodologies shown herein, for example, in the form of a flow chart or flow diagram, are shown and described as a series of acts, it is to be understood and appreciated that the methodologies are not limited by the order of acts, as some acts may, in accordance therewith, occur in a different order and/or concurrently with other acts from that shown and described herein. For example, those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate that a methodology could alternatively be represented as a series of interrelated states or events, such as in a state diagram. Moreover, not all acts illustrated in a methodology may be required for a novel implementation. 
     At  400 , a request for state data associated with a node of an instance of an application hierarchy is received. For example, the state data can be a rearm count associated with a selling unit  130 . 
     At  402 , state data associated with the node of the application hierarchy is obtained, for example, from a license data store  220 . At  404 , the requested state data is provided, for example, to a web-based validation component  310  and/or a software protection system. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a computer-implemented method of protecting software. At  500 , a request to modify state data associated with a node of an instance of an application hierarchy is received. At  502 , state data associated with the node is modified based on the request to modify. The modified state data can be stored, for example, in a license data store  200 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a computer-implemented method facilitating software validation. At  600 , a request for a resource (e.g., template, upgrade, etc.) is provided to a web-based validation component, for example, by an application. At  602 , a request for validation information regarding one or more nodes of an instance of an application hierarchy is received (e.g., from the web-based validation component). For example, the validation information can be associated with one or more selling units  130 , a product offering group  120  and/or a top node  110 . 
     At  604 , validation information is provided based upon state data stored in the node(s). At  606 , a determination is made as to whether validation information provides that the node(s) are valid. If the determination at  606  is YES, at  608 , the requested resource is received, and, the method ends. If the determination at  606  is NO, at  610 , information is received from the web-based component, and, the method ends. 
     As used in this application, the terms “component” and “system” are intended to refer to a computer-related entity, either hardware, a combination of hardware and software, software, or software in execution. For example, a component can be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, a processor, a hard disk drive, multiple storage drives (of optical and/or magnetic storage medium), an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a program, and/or a computer. By way of illustration, both an application running on a server and the server can be a component. One or more components can reside within a process and/or thread of execution, and a component can be localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or more computers. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a block diagram of a computing system  700  operable to execute the disclosed software protection system is illustrated. In order to provide additional context for various aspects thereof,  FIG. 7  and the following discussion are intended to provide a brief, general description of a suitable computing system  700  in which the various aspects can be implemented. While the description above is in the general context of computer-executable instructions that may run on one or more computers, those skilled in the art will recognize that a novel embodiment also can be implemented in combination with other program modules and/or as a combination of hardware and software. 
     Generally, program modules include routines, programs, components, data structures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the inventive methods can be practiced with other computer system configurations, including single-processor or multiprocessor computer systems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, as well as personal computers, hand-held computing devices, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, and the like, each of which can be operatively coupled to one or more associated devices. 
     The illustrated aspects may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where certain tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules can be located in both local and remote memory storage devices. 
     A computer typically includes a variety of computer-readable media. Computer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by the computer and includes volatile and non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example, and not limitation, computer-readable media can comprise computer storage media. Computer storage media includes volatile and non-volatile, 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. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital video disk (DVD) or other optical disk 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 computer. 
     With reference again to  FIG. 7 , the computing system  700  for implementing various aspects includes a computer  702 , the computer  702  including a processing unit  704 , a system memory  706  and a system bus  708 . The system bus  708  provides an interface for system components including, but not limited to, the system memory  706  to the processing unit  704 . The processing unit  704  can be any of various commercially available processors. Dual microprocessors and other multi-processor architectures may also be employed as the processing unit  704 . 
     The system bus  708  can be any of several types of bus structure that may further interconnect to a memory bus (with or without a memory controller), a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety of commercially available bus architectures. The system memory  706  includes read-only memory (ROM)  710  and random access memory (RAM)  712 . A basic input/output system (BIOS) is stored in the read-only memory  710  such as ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, which BIOS contains the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within the computer  702 , such as during start-up. The RAM  712  can also include a high-speed RAM such as static RAM for caching data. 
     The computer  702  further includes an internal hard disk drive (HDD)  714  (e.g., EIDE, SATA), which internal hard disk drive  714  may also be configured for external use in a suitable chassis (not shown), a magnetic floppy disk drive (FDD)  716 , (e.g., to read from or write to a removable diskette  718 ) and an optical disk drive  720 , (e.g., reading a CD-ROM disk  722  or, to read from or write to other high capacity optical media such as the DVD). The internal hard disk drive  714 , magnetic disk drive  716  and optical disk drive  720  can be connected to the system bus  708  by a hard disk drive interface  724 , a magnetic disk drive interface  726  and an optical drive interface  728 , respectively. The interface  724  for external drive implementations includes at least one or both of Universal Serial Bus (USB) and IEEE 1394 interface technologies. 
     The drives and their associated computer-readable media provide nonvolatile storage of data, data structures, computer-executable instructions, and so forth. For the computer  702 , the drives and media accommodate the storage of any data in a suitable digital format. Although the description of computer-readable media above refers to a HDD, a removable magnetic diskette, and a removable optical media such as a CD or DVD, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other types of media which are readable by a computer, such as zip drives, magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, cartridges, and the like, may also be used in the example operating environment, and further, that any such media may contain computer-executable instructions for performing novel methods of the disclosed architecture. 
     A number of program modules can be stored in the drives and RAM  712 , including an operating system  730 , one or more application programs  732 , other program modules  734  and program data  736 . All or portions of the operating system, applications, modules, and/or data can also be cached in the RAM  712 . For example, the software protection system  200  can be stored in the drives and/or RAM  712 . It is to be appreciated that the disclosed architecture can be implemented with various commercially available operating systems or combinations of operating systems. 
     A user can enter commands and information into the computer  702  through one or more wired/wireless input devices, for example, a keyboard  738  and a pointing device, such as a mouse  740 . Other input devices (not shown) may include a microphone, an IR remote control, a joystick, a game pad, a stylus pen, touch screen, or the like. These and other input devices are often connected to the processing unit  704  through an input device interface  742  that is coupled to the system bus  708 , but can be connected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, an IEEE 1394 serial port, a game port, a USB port, an IR interface, etc. 
     A monitor  744  or other type of display device is also connected to the system bus  708  via an interface, such as a video adapter  746 . In addition to the monitor  744 , a computer typically includes other peripheral output devices (not shown), such as speakers, printers, etc. 
     The computer  702  may operate in a networked environment using logical connections via wired and/or wireless communications to one or more remote computers, such as a remote computer(s)  748 . The remote computer(s)  748  can be a workstation, a server computer, a router, a personal computer, portable computer, microprocessor-based entertainment appliance, a peer device or other common network node, and typically includes many or all of the elements described relative to the computer  702 , although, for purposes of brevity, only a memory/storage device  750  is illustrated. The logical connections depicted include wired/wireless connectivity to a local area network (LAN)  752  and/or larger networks, for example, a wide area network (WAN)  754 . Such LAN and WAN networking environments are commonplace in offices and companies, and facilitate enterprise-wide computer networks, such as intranets, all of which may connect to a global communications network, for example, the Internet. 
     When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer  702  is connected to the LAN  752  through a wired and/or wireless communication network interface or adapter  756 . The adapter  756  may facilitate wired or wireless communication to the LAN  752 , which may also include a wireless access point disposed thereon for communicating with the wireless adapter  756 . 
     When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer  702  can include a modem  758 , or is connected to a communications server on the WAN  754 , or has other means for establishing communications over the WAN  754 , such as by way of the Internet. The modem  758 , which can be internal or external and a wired or wireless device, is connected to the system bus  708  via the serial port interface  742 . In a networked environment, program modules depicted relative to the computer  702 , or portions thereof, can be stored in the remote memory/storage device  750 . It will be appreciated that the network connections shown are examples and other means of establishing a communications link between the computers can be used. 
     The computer  702  is operable to communicate with any wireless devices or entities operatively disposed in wireless communication, for example, a printer, scanner, desktop and/or portable computer, portable data assistant, communications satellite, any piece of equipment or location associated with a wirelessly detectable tag (e.g., a kiosk, news stand, restroom), and telephone. This includes at least Wi-Fi and Bluetooth™ wireless technologies. Thus, the communication can be a predefined structure as with a conventional network or simply an ad hoc communication between at least two devices. 
     Wi-Fi, or Wireless Fidelity, allows connection to the Internet from a couch at home, a bed in a hotel room, or a conference room at work, without wires. Wi-Fi is a wireless technology similar to that used in a cell phone that enables such devices, for example, computers, to send and receive data indoors and out; anywhere within the range of a base station. Wi-Fi networks use radio technologies called IEEE 802.11x (a, b, g, etc.) to provide secure, reliable, fast wireless connectivity. A Wi-Fi network can be used to connect computers to each other, to the Internet, and to wired networks (which use IEEE 802.3 or Ethernet). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , there is illustrated a schematic block diagram of a computing environment  800  that facilitates software validation. The environment  800  includes one or more client(s)  802 . The client(s)  802  can be hardware and/or software (e.g., threads, processes, computing devices). The client(s)  802  can house cookie(s) and/or associated contextual information, for example. 
     The environment  800  also includes one or more server(s)  804 . The server(s)  804  can also be hardware and/or software (e.g., threads, processes, computing devices). The servers  804  can house threads to perform transformations by employing the architecture, for example. One possible communication between a client  802  and a server  804  can be in the form of a data packet adapted to be transmitted between two or more computer processes. The data packet may include a cookie and/or associated contextual information, for example. The environment  800  includes a communication framework  806  (e.g., a global communication network such as the Internet) that can be employed to facilitate communications between the client(s)  802  and the server(s)  804 . 
     Communications can be facilitated via a wired (including optical fiber) and/or wireless technology. The client(s)  802  are operatively connected to one or more client data store(s)  808  that can be employed to store information local to the client(s)  802  (e.g., cookie(s) and/or associated contextual information). Similarly, the server(s)  804  are operatively connected to one or more server data store(s)  810  that can be employed to store information local to the servers  804 . 
     Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims. 
     What has been described above includes examples of the disclosed architecture. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components and/or methodologies, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations are possible. Accordingly, the novel architecture is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 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.