Patent Publication Number: US-2023156882-A1

Title: Control a Dimming Level of an Illumination Load by a Dimmer Device

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/529,940, filed on Nov. 18, 2021, now allowed, which is incorporated by reference herein its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Field 
     This disclosure is generally directed to modifying graphics rendering by transcoding a serialized command stream. 
     Background 
     Lights are essential in daily lives. A light source (e.g., a lamp or a luminaire) can be generally referred to as an illumination load. There are many kinds of electric lighting technologies, such as an incandescent light, a halogen light, a metal halide light, a fluorescent light, a light emitting diode (LED) light, a red, blue and green (RGB) LED light, or more. LED lighting continues to take market share from the traditional lighting, due to the advantages of solid state lighting. 
     In general, dimming an illumination load refers to the property of a light source to vary its intensity and brightness, and adjust the diming level between a fully on level and a minimum value level for the light source. Dimming is a useful technology in the lighting industry. There are many kinds of dimmer devices performing the dimming functions. However, how to control the dimming level of an illumination load is still a challenge. 
     SUMMARY 
     Provided herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for a dimmer device to change a diming level of an illumination load based on a determination that a performance of the illumination load does not meet a predetermined performance indicator. The performance of the illumination load is determined based on information related to a plurality of images of the illumination load taken by a camera of a monitor device. 
     An example embodiment of a dimmer device can include a driver configured to be coupled to an illumination load, and a controller communicatively coupled to the driver and to a monitor device. The monitor device can include a camera and is configured to take a plurality of images of the illumination load. The controller is configured to provide a control signal that indicates to the driver to adjust power supplied to the illumination load. The control signal is provided in response to a determination that a performance of the illumination load fails to satisfy a predetermined performance indicator. The performance of the illumination load is determined based on information related to the plurality of images of the illumination load taken by the camera of the monitor device. The controller is further configured to adjust a dimming level of the illumination load by providing the control signal to the driver. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The accompanying drawings are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification. 
         FIGS.  1 A- 1 B  illustrate a lighting system including a dimmer device to adjust a diming level of an illumination load based on a plurality of images of the illumination load taken by a camera of a monitor device, according to some embodiments. 
         FIGS.  2 A- 2 C  illustrate example lighting systems including a dimmer device to adjust a diming level of an illumination load based on a plurality of images of the illumination load taken by a camera of a monitor device, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  3    illustrates an example process for adjusting a diming level of an illumination load based on a plurality of images of the illumination load taken by a camera of a monitor device, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  4    illustrates an example dimming curve for a light emitting diode (LED) light, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  5    illustrates an example computer system useful for implementing various embodiments. 
     
    
    
     In the drawings, like reference numbers generally indicate identical or similar elements. Additionally, generally, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the drawing in which the reference number first appears. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A lighting system may include a control device to control one or more light sources to light a space. A light source, such as a lamp, a luminaire, or a light emitting diode (LED) light, can be generally referred to as an illumination load. Dimming an illumination load refers to the property of a light source to vary its intensity and brightness, and adjust the diming level between a fully on level and a minimum value level for the light source. A dimmer device can perform the dimming control function for one or more illumination loads. LED lighting continues to take market share from the traditional lighting, due to the advantages of solid state lighting. The LED dimming control can save energy, customize light scenes, control color tuning of the lights, extend the service life of the LED lights, among many other advantages. 
     A major issue plaguing the lighting industry is flicker, which is defined as “variations of luminance in time” in The Lighting Handbook, published by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA). Flicker may be inherent to the design of a luminaire but can also be introduced by external factors. There are two primary types of flicker: visible and invisible. Visible flicker is consciously observed by humans and is typically considered objectionable except in some special applications like stroboscopic lights. Invisible flicker is not consciously perceived but may still have biological or even health effects on humans such as reduced visual task performance, apparent slowing or stopping of motion (stroboscopic effect), unstable light output in video applications, and distraction. 
     Accordingly, it is important to reduce the flickers for any light source. Flicker may become an even more serious issue to LED lights controlled by a dimmer device. Any dimmer device, such as a wall-box dimmer, can have the potential for additional flickers caused by system mismatch or other factors. Traditionally, based on a user&#39;s perception, a dimmer device may use a mechanical switch to enable the dimmer device to change the diming level of the illumination load. However, such a mechanical switch of a dimmer device may have limited potential in reducing the flickers, since the control of the mechanical switch based on a user&#39;s perception of the flicker can be unreliable. 
     Various embodiments of this disclosure may provide a dimmer device to change a diming level of an illumination load based on information provided by a monitor device. In some embodiments, the monitor device can include a camera to take a plurality of images of the illumination load. The performance of the illumination load can be determined based on information related to the plurality of images of the illumination load taken by the camera of the monitor device. In addition, the dimmer device or the monitor device can determine that the performance of the illumination load does not meet a predetermined performance indicator, based on information provided by the monitor device. Accordingly, the dimmer device can provide a control signal to adjust power supplied to the illumination load, and further provide the control signal to a driver to adjust a dimming level of the illumination load. In some embodiments, the plurality of images of the illumination load can be taken by the camera of the monitor device according to a first frequency, and the illumination load is a LED light having a second frequency, where the first frequency is higher than the second frequency. 
       FIGS.  1 A- 1 B  illustrate a lighting system  100  including a dimmer device to adjust a diming level of an illumination load based on a plurality of images of the illumination load taken by a camera of a monitor device, according to some embodiments. It is noted, however, that lighting system  100  is provided solely for illustrative purposes, and is not limiting. Embodiments of this disclosure may be implemented using and/or may be part of lighting systems different from and/or in addition to lighting system  100 , as will be appreciated by persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein. An example of lighting system  100  shall now be described. 
     In some embodiments, lighting system  100  can be placed in a stage lighting area, a studio lighting area, a TV and movie lighting area, an office, an industrial space, a hospital, a classroom, or many other locations. Lighting system  100  may include an illumination load  101  controlled by a dimmer device  109 . A switch  112  can be coupled to dimmer device  109  through a switch controller  111 . In addition, a monitor device  130  can be communicatively coupled to dimmer device  109  through a wired or wireless connection. A power source  121  can be electrically connected to dimmer device  109 . Dimmer device  109  can turn on the illumination load  101  using power supplied from the power source  121  (e.g., commercial power supply of AC 100 V to 277 V). A power source, not shown, can be electrically connected to switch controller  111  to supply power to various control devices electrically connected to switch controller  111 . 
     In some embodiments, illumination load  101  can include an incandescent light, a halogen light, a metal halide light, a fluorescent light, a light emitting diode (LED) light, or a red, blue and green (RGB) LED light, such as  101   a  and  101   b  as shown in  FIG.  1 B . An LED light can have LED elements as a light source. The LED elements can be dimmed to low illuminance compared to fluorescent lamps. However, when the LED elements illuminate at low illuminance, unevenness in brightness or flickering becomes visible due to large deviation of lights emitted from the LED elements. In addition, when the LED elements illuminate at high illuminance, dazzling or glaring is likely to be perceived due to the light-emitting characteristic of LEDs. 
     In some embodiments, switch  112  can be a mechanical switch and can serve as an operation unit for turning on/off the illumination load  101  and/or for changing a dimming level of the illumination load  101 . Switch  112  can include a plurality of switches. When switch  112  is operated, switch  112  can send a multiplexed transmission signal corresponding to the operation of switch  112 , e.g., positions of switch  112   a  and switch  112   b  as shown in  FIG.  1 B , to switch controller  111 . Switch controller  111  can generate a control signal to be processed by dimmer device  109 . Some conventional dimmer device  109  may only include a mechanical switch as shown in  FIG.  1 B . In embodiments herein, monitor device  130  can provide additional control to dimmer device  109  in addition to switch  112 . 
     In some embodiments, monitor device  130  can be communicatively coupled to dimmer device  109  through a wired or wireless connection. Monitor device  130  can include a camera  135 , a processor  133 , a memory  132 , and a communication circuit  131 . Camera  135  can take a plurality of images  134  of illumination load  101 . Images  134  can be a collection of discrete and individual photo images, a collection of video images, or any other multimedia images. Images  134  can also include any audio signals, such as noises generated by illumination load  101 . Information  136  related to the plurality of images  134  of illumination load  101  can be processed by processor  133 . 
     Based on images  134  or information  136  related to the plurality of images  134 , processor  133  can determine that a performance  124  of the illumination load  101  fails to satisfy a predetermined performance indicator  126 . Performance of illumination load  101  can be determined by processor  133 , and can be related to a flicker percentage, a flicker index, or a flicker frequency. Predetermined performance indicator  126  can be associated with a dimming curve, as shown in  FIG.  4   , which includes a maximum dimming level, minimum dimming level, dead travel, or a rate of change of light output for the illumination load. Predetermined performance indicator  126  can be programmed into monitor device  130  or received from dimmer device  109 . 
     Once processor  133  determines that performance  124  of the illumination load  101  fails to satisfy predetermined performance indicator  126 , processor  133  can generate a command  138  to be transmitted to dimmer device  109  to determine the control signal  104  based on the received command  138  from monitor device  130 . Additionally and alternatively, processor  133  can transmit to dimmer device  109  information  136  that is related to the plurality of images  134  of the illumination load  101 . Dimmer device  109  can calculate performance  124 , compare performance  124  with predetermined performance indicator  126 , generate control signal  104  when dimmer device  109  determines that performance  124  of the illumination load  101  fails to satisfy predetermined performance indicator  126 . 
     In some embodiments, dimmer device  109  can include a 2-way dimmer switch, a triode for alternating current (TRIAC) dimmer switch, an Electronic Low Voltage (ELV) dimmer switch, a 3-way dimmer switch, a 4-way dimmer switch, or any other dimmer device. More details of dimmer device  109  are shown in  FIGS.  2 A- 2 C . In some embodiments, monitor device  130  can be located within dimmer device  109 , and together forming an integrated device. In some other embodiments, monitor device  130  can be separated from dimmer device  109 . In some embodiments, monitor device  130  can be implemented on a mobile phone, and camera  135  can be located in the mobile phone, while dimmer device  109  can be mounted on a wall. Communication between monitor device  130  and dimmer device  109  can be based on a wireless technology. 
     Dimmer device  109  can receive the control signal from switch controller  111  and perform control over illumination load  101 . Similarly, dimmer device  109  can receive command  138  or information  136  from monitor device  130 , so that dimmer device  109  can perform control over illumination load  101 . 
     Dimming device  109  can includes a controller  102 , a dimming unit  103 , a communication circuit  128 , and a memory  122 . Dimming unit  103  includes a driver  123  and a dimming circuit  125 . Dimming device  109  as shown includes one dimming unit  103 , but may include a plurality of dimming units. Further, dimming unit  103  may be configured to dim a plurality of illumination loads. 
     Controller  102  can provide control signal  104  to driver  123 . Control signal  104  can be a forward phase signal, reverse phase signal, a 3-wire control signal, a 0-10V control signal, a digital addressable lighting interface (DALI) control signal, a digital multiplex (DMX) control signal, a pulse-width modulation (PWM) control signal, or other dimming control signal. Controller  102  can include a microcomputer and the like. Controller  102  can be operated by reading out a program stored in a ROM and executing the program. Controller  102  performs a dimming control over illumination load  101  by controlling dimming unit  103  according to the control signal  104 . 
     Within dimming unit  103 , driver  123  can be connected to dimming circuit  125  and controls the dimming circuit  125  to change the dimming level of the illumination load  101 . The driver  123  controls a timing for turning on/off the semiconductor switch (a conduction angle with respect to the frequency of power) to adjust power supplied to the illumination load  101 , thereby dimming the illumination load  101 . Driver  123  can be a constant voltage (CV) driver, a constant current reduction driver, or a pulse-width modulation (PWM) driver. 
     Dimming circuit  125  controls power supplied to the illumination load  101 . Dimming circuit  125  can include a semiconductor switch, such as a field-effect transistor (FET) or a TRIAC that allows alternating current to flow bi-directionally. Dimming device  109  performs dimming control over the illumination load  101  in a power-controlled manner or in a signal-controlled manner. The power-controlled manner includes a phase control scheme based on in-phase and a phase control scheme based on anti-phase. In some embodiments, a semiconductor switch, such as a FET or a TRIAC can be used as dimming circuit  125  to turn on at the timing of zero crossing of AC voltage from a power source. 
     In some embodiments, controller  102  can be configured to determine control signal  104  to change a diming level of illumination load  101  by controlling driver  123  to adjust an on time and an off time for illumination load  101  or adjust power supplied to illumination load  101 , in response to a determination that performance  124  of illumination load  101  does not meet predetermined performance indicator  126 . Performance  124  of illumination load  101  can be determined based on the plurality of images  134  of illumination load  101  taken by camera  135  of monitor device  130 . Controller  102  can be further configured to adjust driver  123  based on control signal  104  to change the diming level of illumination load  101 . In some embodiments, controller  102  can determine control signal  104  based on received command  138  from monitor device  130 . Control signal  104  can indicate to driver  123  to adjust the power by adjusting an on time and an off time duty cycle for the illumination load. In some other embodiments, controller  102  can determine, based on the received information  136 , performance  124  of illumination load  101  does not meet predetermined performance indicator  126 , and generate control signal  104  to change the diming level of illumination load  101 . 
       FIGS.  2 A- 2 C  illustrate example lighting system  210 , lighting system  220 , and lighting system  230 , including a dimmer device to adjust a diming level of an illumination load based on a plurality of images of the illumination load taken by a camera of a monitor device, according to some embodiments. Lighting system  210 , lighting system  220 , and lighting system  230  can be examples of lighting system  100  as shown in  FIG.  1 A . 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG.  2 A , lighting system  210  includes an illumination load  201   a  controlled by a dimmer device  209   a , and a monitor device  230   a . Monitor device  230   a  can communicate with dimmer device  209   a  through a wired or wireless connection. A power source  221   a  can be electrically connected to dimmer device  209   a . Dimmer device  209   a  can turn on illumination load  201   a  using power supplied from power source  221   a . Illumination load  201   a , dimmer device  209   a , monitor device  230   a , and power source  221   a  can be examples of illumination load  101 , dimmer device  109 , monitor device  130 , and power source  121 , respectively, as shown in  FIG.  1   . 
     In some embodiments, dimmer device  209   a  can include a 2-way dimmer switch. Dimmer device  209   a  can be coupled to power source  221   a  through a line connection, and coupled to illumination load  201   a  through a load connection. 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG.  2 B , lighting system  220  includes an illumination load  201   b  controlled by a dimmer device  209   b , and a monitor device  230   b . Monitor device  230   b  can communicate with dimmer device  209   b  through a wired or wireless connection. A power source  221   b  can be electrically connected to dimmer device  209   b . Dimmer device  209   b  can turn on illumination load  201   b  using power supplied from power source  221   b . Illumination load  201   b , dimmer device  209   b , monitor device  230   b , and power source  221   b  can be examples of illumination load  101 , dimmer device  109 , monitor device  130 , and power source  121 , respectively, as shown in  FIG.  1   . 
     In some embodiments, dimmer device  209   b  can include a 3-way dimmer switch. Dimmer device  209   b  can be coupled to power source  221   b  through a line connection, coupled to illumination load  201   b  through a load connection, and further coupled to a neutral line. 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG.  2 C , lighting system  230  includes an illumination load  201   c  controlled by a dimmer device  209   c , and a monitor device  230   c . Monitor device  230   c  can communicate with dimmer device  209   c  through a wired or wireless connection. A power source  221   c  can be electrically connected to dimmer device  209   c . Dimmer device  209   c  can turn on illumination load  201   c  using power supplied from power source  221   c . Illumination load  201   c , dimmer device  209   c , monitor device  230   c , and power source  221   c  can be examples of illumination load  101 , dimmer device  109 , monitor device  130 , and power source  121 , respectively, as shown in  FIG.  1   . 
     In some embodiments, dimmer device  209   c  can include a 4-way dimmer switch. Dimmer device  209   c  can be coupled to power source  221   c  through a line connection, coupled to illumination load  201   c  through a load connection, and further coupled to a neutral line and a ground line. 
       FIG.  3    illustrates an example process  300  for adjusting a diming level of an illumination load based on a plurality of images of the illumination load taken by a camera of a monitor device, according to some embodiments. Processes  300  can be performed by processing logic of controller  102  that can comprise hardware (e.g., circuitry, dedicated logic, programmable logic, microcode, etc.), software (e.g., instructions executing on a processing device), or a combination thereof. It is to be appreciated that not all steps may be needed to perform the disclosure provided herein. Further, some of the steps may be performed simultaneously, or in a different order than shown in  FIG.  3   , as will be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art. 
     At  302 , controller  102  can provide a control signal that indicates to a driver to adjust power supplied to an illumination load. The control signal can be provided in response to a determination that a performance of the illumination load fails to satisfy a predetermined performance indicator. For example, as described for  FIG.  1 A , controller  102  can provide control signal  104  that indicates to driver  123  to adjust power supplied to illumination load  101 . Control signal  104  can be provided in response to a determination that performance  124  of illumination load  101  fails to satisfy predetermined performance indicator  126 . 
     Operations at  302  can be implemented in various ways. In some embodiments, monitor device  130  only transmits information  136  related to the plurality of images  134  of illumination load  101  to controller  102 , and controller  102  determines, based on information  136 , performance  124  of illumination load  101 . In some embodiments, monitor device  130  can transmit the plurality of images  134  of illumination load  101  to controller  102 , and controller  102  determines, based on the plurality of images  134 , performance  124  of illumination load  101 . Controller  102  further determines whether performance  124  meets predetermined performance indicator  126 . As shown at  312 , controller  102  can determine, based on information  136  related to the plurality of images  134  of illumination load  101 , performance  124  of illumination load  101  does not meet predetermined performance indicator  126 ; and at  314 , controller  102  can generate control signal  104  to change the diming level of illumination load  101 . 
     In some embodiments, monitor device  130  determines, based on the plurality of images  134 , the performance  124  of illumination load  101 . Monitor device  130  further determines whether performance  124  meets predetermined performance indicator  126 , and further provides command  138  to controller  102 . At  322 , controller  102  can provide control signal  104  based on command  138  received from monitor device  130 . Operations shown at  312 ,  314 , and  322  are merely examples of various implementations of operations at  302 . There can be other implementations known to a person having ordinary skills in the art. At  304 , controller  102  can adjust a dimming level of illumination load  101  by providing control signal  104  to driver  123 . 
     In some embodiments, control signal  104  is provided to change a diming level of illumination load  101  by controlling driver  123  to adjust an on time and an off time for illumination load  101  or adjust power supplied to illumination load  101 . Control signal  104  can be a forward phase signal, reverse phase signal, a TRIAC dimmer control signal, an ELV dimmer control signal, a 3-wire control signal, a 0-10V control signal, a DALI control signal, a DMX control signal, or a PWM control signal. 
     In some embodiments, a TRIAC dimmer can be designed for incandescent and halogen lamps and the ELV dimmer can be designed for electronic low voltage halogen lights. A 0-10V analog dimming can be used in the lighting industry in commercial applications where the 0-10V dimmer simply provides a low voltage DC signal to the lighting fixture, which ranges from 0V to 10V. The DALI standard defined in IEC 62386 is a digital protocol that enables the control of lighting fixtures in building automation applications via a bus architecture where a controller addresses individual or groups of lights for control and status purposes. A DMX dimmer is based on a digital communications standard used to control theatrical and stage lighting. A DMX dimmer offers the same advantages to lighting controls as DALI does. A PWM dimmer can be a digital dimming scheme that is implemented by driving the LEDs with a square wave current waveform. Unlike constant current reduction where the driver reduces the output current to dim the lights, the PWM signal waveform swings the LED current from full on to off. By adjusting the duty cycle of the waveform, e.g., the on time, the average current going into the LEDs is changed which causes the lights to dim. 
     In some embodiments, control signal  104  can be provided in response to a determination that performance  124  of illumination load  101  does not meet predetermined performance indicator  126 . There can be many different ways to define performance  124  and predetermined performance indicator  126 . Performance  124  can be related to a flicker percentage, a flicker index, or a flicker frequency. 
     In some embodiments, performance  124  can be derived by counting a number of images of illumination load  101  that show illumination load  101  is on, and counting a number of images of illumination load  101  that show illumination load  101  is off, and derive performance  124  based on various formulas related to a flicker percentage, a flicker index, or a flicker frequency, which are known to a person having ordinary skills in the art. In some other embodiments, performance  124  can be related to noise or other performance metrics for illumination load  101 . 
     Flicker can be more or less apparent depending on several factors, primarily the relevant amount of variation in the light per cycle, the proportions of the lighting waveform, and the frequency (or frequencies) at which the light variation occurs. Flicker percent can be a measure of the maximum light vs. the minimum light in a cycle. Flicker percent only accounts for the minimum and maximum light outputs, and does not differentiate between waveforms. Flicker percentage or % flicker can be calculated with the following formula: 
     
       
         
           
             
               
                 % 
                 ⁢ 
                     
                 flicker 
               
               = 
               
                 100 
                 * 
                 
                   
                     A 
                     - 
                     B 
                   
                   
                     A 
                     + 
                     B 
                   
                 
               
             
             , 
           
         
       
     
     where A represents maximum light output and B minimum light output. 
     Flicker index is another common metric for describing the behavior in terms of the amount of light that a product produces over a given cycle. Flicker index requires more calculations than flicker percent, as there is consideration given to the shape of the waveform. Flicker index considers the area of the waveform above and below the average light output. 
     Similarly, predetermined performance indicator  126  can be associated with a dimming curve as shown in  FIG.  4   . In addition, predetermined performance indicator  126  can be based on various standards, such as IEEE 1789, ENERGY STAR® defined by EPA, Calif. Title  20  and Title  24 , IEC/TR 61547-1, CIE TC 1-83, Japan DENAN Law, and others. 
       FIG.  4    illustrates an example dimming curve  400  for a LED light, according to some embodiments. Dimming curve  400  can be used as a base to provide predetermined performance indicator  126 . As shown in  FIG.  4   , dimming curve  400  can include a maximum dimming level, minimum dimming level, dead travel, or a rate of change of light output for the illumination load. The minimum dimming level is the minimum light level attainable with a dimmable system. The maximum dimming level is a maximum line voltage applied to illumination load  101  so that even when dimmer device  109  is at is maximum setting, the illumination load  101  does not receive the full voltage, but to receive the maximum line voltage instead. Dead travel occurs when there is no change in light output from illumination load  101  despite a change in dimmer device  109 . In some embodiments, a dead travel area can be limited to no more than 10% at the top of the dimming curve, or bottom of the dimming curve. 
     Example Computer System 
     Various embodiments may be implemented, for example, using one or more well-known computer systems, such as computer system  500  shown in  FIG.  5   . For example, dimmer device  109 , monitor device  130 , controller  102 , processor  133 , dimmer device  209   a , dimmer device  209   b , dimmer device  209   c , may be implemented using combinations or sub-combinations of computer system  500  to perform various functions described herein, e.g., by process  300 . Also or alternatively, one or more computer systems  500  may be used, for example, to implement any of the embodiments discussed herein, as well as combinations and sub-combinations thereof. 
     Computer system  500  may include one or more processors (also called central processing units, or CPUs), such as a processor  504 . Processor  504  may be connected to a communication infrastructure or bus  506 . 
     Computer system  500  may also include user input/output device(s)  503 , such as monitors, keyboards, pointing devices, etc., which may communicate with communication infrastructure  506  through user input/output interface(s)  502 . 
     One or more of processors  504  may be a graphics processing unit (GPU). In an embodiment, a GPU may be a processor that is a specialized electronic circuit designed to process mathematically intensive applications. The GPU may have a parallel structure that is efficient for parallel processing of large blocks of data, such as mathematically intensive data common to computer graphics applications, images, videos, etc. 
     Computer system  500  may also include a main or primary memory  508 , such as random access memory (RAM). Main memory  508  may include one or more levels of cache. Main memory  508  may have stored therein control logic (i.e., computer software) and/or data. 
     Computer system  500  may also include one or more secondary storage devices or memory  510 . Secondary memory  510  may include, for example, a hard disk drive  512  and/or a removable storage device or drive  514 . Removable storage drive  514  may be a floppy disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, a compact disk drive, an optical storage device, tape backup device, and/or any other storage device/drive. 
     Removable storage drive  514  may interact with a removable storage unit  518 . Removable storage unit  518  may include a computer usable or readable storage device having stored thereon computer software (control logic) and/or data. Removable storage unit  518  may be a floppy disk, magnetic tape, compact disk, DVD, optical storage disk, and/any other computer data storage device. Removable storage drive  514  may read from and/or write to removable storage unit  518 . 
     Secondary memory  510  may include other means, devices, components, instrumentalities or other approaches for allowing computer programs and/or other instructions and/or data to be accessed by computer system  500 . Such means, devices, components, instrumentalities or other approaches may include, for example, a removable storage unit  522  and an interface  520 . Examples of the removable storage unit  522  and the interface  520  may include a program cartridge and cartridge interface (such as that found in video game devices), a removable memory chip (such as an EPROM or PROM) and associated socket, a memory stick and USB or other port, a memory card and associated memory card slot, and/or any other removable storage unit and associated interface. 
     Computer system  500  may further include a communication or network interface  524 . Communication interface  524  may enable computer system  500  to communicate and interact with any combination of external devices, external networks, external entities, etc. (individually and collectively referenced by reference number  528 ). For example, communication interface  524  may allow computer system  500  to communicate with external or remote devices  528  over communications path  526 , which may be wired and/or wireless (or a combination thereof), and which may include any combination of LANs, WANs, the Internet, etc. Control logic and/or data may be transmitted to and from computer system  500  via communication path  526 . 
     Computer system  500  may also be any of a personal digital assistant (PDA), desktop workstation, laptop or notebook computer, netbook, tablet, smart phone, smart watch or other wearable, appliance, part of the Internet-of-Things, and/or embedded system, to name a few non-limiting examples, or any combination thereof. 
     Computer system  500  may be a client or server, accessing or hosting any applications and/or data through any delivery paradigm, including but not limited to remote or distributed cloud computing solutions; local or on-premises software (“on-premise” cloud-based solutions); “as a service” models (e.g., content as a service (CaaS), digital content as a service (DCaaS), software as a service (SaaS), managed software as a service (MSaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), desktop as a service (DaaS), framework as a service (FaaS), backend as a service (BaaS), mobile backend as a service (MBaaS), infrastructure as a service (IaaS), etc.); and/or a hybrid model including any combination of the foregoing examples or other services or delivery paradigms. 
     Any applicable data structures, file formats, and schemas in computer system  500  may be derived from standards including but not limited to JavaScript Object Notation (JSON), Extensible Markup Language (XML), Yet Another Markup Language (YAML), Extensible Hypertext Markup Language (XHTML), Wireless Markup Language (WML), MessagePack, XML User Interface Language (XUL), or any other functionally similar representations alone or in combination. Alternatively, proprietary data structures, formats or schemas may be used, either exclusively or in combination with known or open standards. 
     In some embodiments, a tangible, non-transitory apparatus or article of manufacture comprising a tangible, non-transitory computer useable or readable medium having control logic (software) stored thereon may also be referred to herein as a computer program product or program storage device. This includes, but is not limited to, computer system  500 , main memory  508 , secondary memory  510 , and removable storage units  518  and  522 , as well as tangible articles of manufacture embodying any combination of the foregoing. Such control logic, when executed by one or more data processing devices (such as computer system  500  or processor(s)  504 ), may cause such data processing devices to operate as described herein. 
     Based on the teachings contained in this disclosure, it will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) how to make and use embodiments of this disclosure using data processing devices, computer systems and/or computer architectures other than that shown in  FIG.  5   . In particular, embodiments can operate with software, hardware, and/or operating system implementations other than those described herein. 
     CONCLUSION 
     It is to be appreciated that the Detailed Description section, and not any other section, is intended to be used to interpret the claims. Other sections can set forth one or more but not all exemplary embodiments as contemplated by the inventor(s), and thus, are not intended to limit this disclosure or the appended claims in any way. 
     While this disclosure describes exemplary embodiments for exemplary fields and applications, it should be understood that the disclosure is not limited thereto. Other embodiments and modifications thereto are possible, and are within the scope and spirit of this disclosure. For example, and without limiting the generality of this paragraph, embodiments are not limited to the software, hardware, firmware, and/or entities illustrated in the figures and/or described herein. Further, embodiments (whether or not explicitly described herein) have significant utility to fields and applications beyond the examples described herein. 
     Embodiments have been described herein with the aid of functional building blocks illustrating the implementation of specified functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of the description. Alternate boundaries can be defined as long as the specified functions and relationships (or equivalents thereof) are appropriately performed. Also, alternative embodiments can perform functional blocks, steps, operations, methods, etc. using orderings different than those described herein. 
     References herein to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” or similar phrases, indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it would be within the knowledge of persons skilled in the relevant art(s) to incorporate such feature, structure, or characteristic into other embodiments whether or not explicitly mentioned or described herein. Additionally, some embodiments can be described using the expression “coupled” and “connected” along with their derivatives. These terms are not necessarily intended as synonyms for each other. For example, some embodiments can be described using the terms “connected” and/or “coupled” to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact with each other. The term “coupled,” however, can also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still co-operate or interact with each other. 
     The breadth and scope of this disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.