Patent Publication Number: US-11388574-B2

Title: Methods and apparatus for providing access to emergency service providers

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. § 119 
     The present application for patent is a Continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/034,081, filed on Jul. 12, 2018, which is a Continuation Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/608,252, filed on May 30, 2017, which is a Continuation Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/148,779, filed on May 6, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,699,636 issued Jul. 4, 2017, which is a Divisional Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/563,366, filed on Dec. 8, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,402,173 issued Jul. 26, 2016, which claims priority to Provisional Application No. 61/913,107 entitled “METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING ACCESS TO EMERGENCY SERVICE PROVIDERS” filed Dec. 6, 2013, each of which is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to wireless (e.g., cellular) communication systems, and more particularly, systems for providing access to emergency service providers. 
     Wireless communication networks are widely deployed to provide various communication services, such as telephony, video, data, messaging, broadcasts, and so on. Such networks require users to have subscriptions for services in order to be provided access to use the networks&#39; resources. Additionally, in some wireless communication networks, poor interference mitigation and/or poor cell coverage may lead to failures in establishing or maintaining network connections. 
     In some wireless communication networks, a user may not have access to a wireless network or wireless device. As a result, the user may not be able to request or communicate with an emergency service provider. Thus, there remains an unmet need for improvements in providing access to emergency service providers are desired. 
     SUMMARY 
     The following presents a simplified summary of one or more aspects of the present invention in order to provide a basic understanding of such aspects. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated aspects, and is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of all aspects nor delineate the scope of any or all aspects. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
     In an aspect, methods, and apparatuses for communication thereof, comprise detecting an emergency indication; connecting to a wireless (e.g., cellular) network; and establishing a communication with one or more emergency service providers based at least in part on detecting the emergency indication, wherein the communication is established on the wireless network. 
     Other example aspects, methods, and apparatuses for communication thereof include receiving an indication at a device to initiate an emergency call via a network; such as a wireless network, determining whether the device is configured with a subscriber identity module (SIM) card, wherein the SIM card includes a plurality of numbers; and sequentially calling the plurality of numbers stored on the SIM card based on the determination that the device is configured with the SIM card. 
     To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the one or more aspects comprise the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following description and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certain example features of the one or more aspects. These features are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of various aspects may be employed, and this description is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features, nature, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which like reference characters identify correspondingly throughout and wherein: 
         FIGS. 1A-1E  show an example of a wireless communication device that may access one or more emergency service providers in accordance with aspects of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 2A-2E  show an example of the wireless communication device in accordance with aspects of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a representative diagram of an example computer system capable of carrying out functionality described in example implementations in accordance with aspects of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram of various example system components, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram of emergency services component in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart of an example aspect of a method of communication in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, such as is shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The detailed description set forth below, in connection with the appended drawings, is intended as a description of various configurations and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the concepts described herein may be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring such concepts. 
     Various aspects of the present invention generally relate to providing access to emergency service providers in case of an emergency. Specifically, a wireless (e.g., cellular) communication device may be configured to connect to a network and establish communication with one or more emergency service providers. In such aspects, the wireless communication device may be configured with a panic button that, when depressed, may cause the wireless device to connect to the network and attempt to establish communication with one or more emergency service providers. Further, the wireless communication device may be configured such that its current location may be determined through triangulation or other location method. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1A-1E , in one aspect, a wireless communication device  10  includes at least a housing  12 , microphone/speaker  14 , rocker button  16 , display  18 , audio port  32 , power charger port  22 , status indicator  24 , panic button  26 , lanyard receiving feature  28 , and battery compartment  30 . Wireless communication device  10  may additionally include a battery (e.g., stored in battery compartment  30 ) or other power supply feature. In an aspect, wireless communication device  10  may detect an emergency indication (e.g., received from a user); connect to a wireless network; and establish a communication with one or more emergency service providers based at least in part on detecting the emergency indication, wherein the communication is established on the wireless network. In some instances, the wireless communication device  10  may be configured, for example, with an approximate size of 72.5 millimeters (mm) by 47.5 mm by 1.9 mm. 
     For instance, wireless communication device  10  may communicate with a network (e.g., see  FIG. 4 ) through one or more network entities when panic button  26  is depressed. In one example, wireless communication device  10  may be configured to detect that panic button  26  has been depressed for a threshold period of time (e.g., 3 seconds). As a result, wireless communication device  10  may transmit a signal to one or more network entities to establish a connection to the network. Once the connection is established, wireless communication device  10  may establish communication with one or more wireless service providers on the network, which may include establishing both voice and data communication between wireless communication device  10  and the one or more wireless service providers. As a result, a user of wireless communication device  10  may initiate a communication (e.g., call) with one or more operators at the one or more emergency service providers in order to resolve the emergency situation. In an optional aspect, microphone/speaker  14  may be configured to output voice announcements for connection status (e.g., dialing, failures, redial, stop dialing). In certain instances, the wireless communication device  10  may connect with a 2G wireless network. Moreover, the wireless communication device  10  may be configured with an International Mobile Station Equipment Identity WED, which may be a preconfigured factory setting. 
     Additionally, panic button  26  may be configured to selectively power on and off wireless communication device  10  when depressed signal is received, such as when panic button  26  is depressed by a user (said selection being interchangeably referred to herein as the button being “depressed”). In an aspect, wireless communication device  10  may be configured to differentiate between the length of time the panic button  26  is depressed, and, based at least in part on the length of time of the depression; wireless communication device  10  may either turn on/off or detect an emergency indication. In certain aspects, the wireless communication device  10  may be configured to operate in a sleep mode if the panic button  26  is not depressed (e.g., an emergency indication has not been received or when the wireless communication device  10  is turned off). During sleep mode, wireless communication device  10  may operate at a lower level of power consumption, for example. As such, wireless communication device  10  may operate for an extended period of time (e.g., 100 days), subject to the number and duration of activations of an emergency indication. 
     In another aspect, wireless communication device  10  may include rocker button  16 , which may be configured to stop an attempt to establish communications with one or more emergency service providers. In another aspect, rocker button  16  may be configured to end an established communication with one or more emergency service providers. For example, wireless communication device  10  may be configured to detect that rocker button  16  is depressed, and as a result, may stop an attempt to establish communication, or end the established communication. In an additional aspect, rocker button  16  may need to be depressed for a threshold period of time before wireless communication device  10  responds. In on example, the panic button  26  may be configured as a 1.5 centimeters (cm) round button with 2 mm indented at the front of the wireless communication device  10 . Further, in certain instances, the wireless communication device  10  may be activated after panic button  26  is pressed for two seconds, for example. 
     Further, once a user depresses the panic button  26 , wireless communication device  10  may determine the current location of wireless communication device  10 . The current location may be determined, for example, based on triangulation through one or more network entities (e.g., via a cellular network). In some aspects, a subscriber identity module (SIM) or global positioning system (GPS) may also or alternatively be used to determine the current location. Moreover, the wireless communication device  10  may be waterproof, and include a SIM card of approximate size of 25 mm by 15 mm under the battery compartment  30 , for example. 
     In some aspects, wireless communication device  10  may include a display  18 , which may be configured to display text or graphic messages thereon. For example, display  18  may display information regarding the emergency call (e.g., status of the emergency call). Moreover, display  18  may display information regarding the current status of the device (e.g., battery level and/or device mode). In one variation, display  18  may, for example, be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor (TFT) active matrix display, a touch-sensitive screen, or other suitable display. 
     Further, wireless communication device  10  may include audio port  32  and power charger port  22 . In one aspect, audio port  32  may be configured to connect an ear piece (not shown) for use with wireless communication device  10 , so as to provide the user audio through the ear piece instead of microphone/speaker  14 . Moreover, power charger port  22  may be configured to connect a charger with wireless communication device  10 , for example, to recharge a rechargeable battery housed within battery compartment  30  of wireless communication device  10 . 
     Additionally, wireless communication device  10  may include battery compartment  30 , which may be configured to house one or more batteries of varying size and type. For example, battery compartment  30  may house standard household batteries (e.g., one or more triple-A size batteries). Further, battery compartment  30  may be detachable so as to allow for removal and replacement of the one or more batteries housed within battery compartment  30 . Alternatively, battery compartment  30  may provide for a built in battery which may be recharged via power charger port  22 . In certain instances, the battery compartment  30  may be configured to include space for 3 AAA lithium batteries, for example. In these instances, wireless communication device  10  may operate at a power of 4.5 V. Moreover, wireless communication device  10  may operate with a continuous discharge rate of about 1500 mA. 
     In another aspect, wireless communication device  10  may include status indicator  24 , which may be configured to indicate the status of either communication with the one or more emergency service providers or the battery of wireless communication device  10 . For example, status indicator  24  may be or include a light emitting diode (LED). As such, status indicator  24  may, for example, turn green when wireless communication device  10  is attempting to establish communications with the one or more emergency service providers. Additionally, status indicator  24  may turn red if the attempt to establish communications fails. Moreover, status indicator  24  may be configured to turn green or red when rocker button  16  is depressed, so as to indicate the status of the battery. For example, the status indicator  24  may turn red to indicate that the batteries in the battery compartment  30  need to be changed, and the status indicator  24  may remain green when the batteries are in good condition. Multiple indicators may similarly be used. 
     In an optional aspect, wireless communication device  10  may include a lanyard receiving feature  28 , which may be configured to provide connection for a lanyard. For example, a user may attach (e.g., tie) a lanyard to wireless communication device  10  through lanyard receiving feature  28 , such as to wear wireless communication device  10 . 
     Wireless communication device  10 , as described herein may also interchangeably be referred to as a mobile station, a subscriber station, a mobile unit, a subscriber unit, a wireless unit, a remote unit, a mobile device, a wireless (e.g. cellular) device, a wireless communication device, a wireless terminal, a remote terminal, a handset, a terminal, a user agent, a mobile client, a client, or other suitable terminology. 
     Additionally, the network entity may be a macrocell, picocell, femtocell, access point, relay, Node B, mobile Node B, user equipment (UE) (e.g., communicating in peer-to-peer or ad-hoc mode with UE), or substantially any similar type of component that is able to communication with wireless communication device  10  to provide wireless network access at the wireless communication device  10 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2A-2E  show an alternative example of wireless (e.g., cellular) communication device  20 , similar to the wireless communication device  10  of  FIGS. 1A-1B . Wireless communication device  20  may be configured to access one or more emergency service providers similar to the wireless communication device  10 . 
     Aspects of the present invention may be implemented using hardware, software, or a combination thereof and may be implemented in one or more computer systems or other processing systems. In an aspect of the present invention, features are directed toward one or more computer systems capable of carrying out the functionality described herein. An example of such a computer system  400  is shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     Computer system  400  includes one or more processors, such as processor  404 . The processor  410  is coupled to a communication infrastructure  420  (e.g., a communications bus, cross-over bar, or network). Various software aspects are described in terms of this example computer system. After reading this description, it will become apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement aspects hereof using other computer systems and/or architectures. 
     Computer system  400  may include a display interface  430  that forwards graphics, text, and other data from the communication infrastructure  420  (or from a frame buffer not shown) for display on a display unit  440 . Computer system  400  may include a main memory  450 , preferably random access memory (RAM), and may also include a secondary memory  460 . The secondary memory  460  may include, for example, a hard disk drive  470  and/or a removable storage drive  480 , representing a floppy disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, an optical disk drive, etc. The removable storage drive  480  may read from and/or write to a removable storage unit  490  in a well-known manner. Removable storage unit  490 , represents a floppy disk, magnetic tape, optical disk, etc., which may be read by and written to removable storage drive  480 . As will be appreciated, the removable storage unit  418  may include a computer usable storage medium having stored therein computer software and/or data. 
     Alternative aspects of the present invention may include secondary memory  460  and may include other similar devices for allowing computer programs or other instructions to be loaded into computer system  400 . Such devices may include, for example, a removable storage unit  490  and an interface  495 . Examples of such may include a program cartridge and cartridge interface (such as that found in video game devices), a removable memory chip (such as an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), or programmable read only memory (PROM)) and associated socket, and other removable storage units  490  and interfaces  495 , which allow software and data to be transferred from the removable storage unit  490  to computer system  400 . 
     Computer system  400  may also include a communications interface  424 . Communications interface  424  may allow software and data to be transferred among computer system  400  and external devices. Examples of communications interface  424  may include a modem, a network interface (such as an Ethernet card), a communications port, a Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) slot and card, etc. Software and data transferred via communications interface  424  may be in the form of signals  428  which may be electronic, electromagnetic, optical or other signals capable of being received by communications interface  424 . These signals  428  may be provided to communications interface  424  via a communications path (e.g., channel)  426 . This path  426  may carry signals  428  and may be implemented using wire or cable, fiber optics, a telephone line, a cellular link, a radio frequency (RF) link and/or other communications channels. As used herein, the terms “computer program medium” and “computer usable medium” refer generally to media such as a removable storage drive  480 , a hard disk installed in hard disk drive  470 , and/or signals  428 . These computer program products may provide software to the computer system  400 . Aspects of the present invention are directed to such computer program products. 
     Computer programs (also referred to as computer control logic) may be stored in main memory  450  and/or secondary memory  460 . Computer programs may also be received via communications interface  424 . Such computer programs, when executed, may enable the computer system  400  to perform the features in accordance with aspects of the present invention, as discussed herein. In particular, the computer programs, when executed, may enable the processor  410  to perform the features in accordance with aspects of the present invention. Accordingly, such computer programs may represent controllers of the computer system  400 . 
     Where aspects of the present invention may be implemented using software, the software may be stored in a computer program product and loaded into computer system  400  using removable storage drive  414 , hard drive  412 , or communications interface  424 . The control logic (software), when executed by the processor  404 , may cause the processor  404  to perform the functions described herein. In another aspect of the present invention, the system may be implemented primarily in hardware using, for example, hardware components, such as application specific integrated circuits (ASICs). Implementation of the hardware state machine so as to perform the functions described herein will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s). 
     In yet another variation, aspects of the present invention may be implemented using a combination of both hardware and software. 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram of various example system components for use, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.  FIG. 4  shows a communication system  1100  usable in accordance with the present invention. The communication system  1100  includes one or more accessors  1160 ,  1162  (also referred to interchangeably herein as one or more “users”) and one or more terminals  1142 ,  1166  (e.g., the wireless communication device  10  of  FIGS. 1A-1E ). In one aspect, data for use in accordance with the present invention is, for example, input and/or accessed by accessors  1160 ,  1162  via terminals  1142 ,  1166 , such as personal computers (PCs), minicomputers, mainframe computers, microcomputers, telephonic devices, or wireless devices, such as personal digital assistants (“PDAs”), smart phones, or other hand-held wireless devices (including, but not limited to the wireless communication device  10  of  FIGS. 1A-1E ) coupled to a server  1143 , such as a PC, minicomputer, mainframe computer, microcomputer, or other device having a processor and a repository for data and/or connection to a repository for data, via, for example, a network  1144 , such as the Internet or an intranet, and couplings  1145 ,  1146 ,  1164 . The couplings  1145 ,  1146 ,  1164  include, for example, wired, wireless, or fiber optic links. In another variation, the method and system in accordance with aspects of the present invention operate in a stand-alone environment, such as on a single terminal. 
       FIG. 5  is a diagram of an emergency services component  1200  for use in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. The component  1200 , for example, may be one implementation of a terminal  1142 ,  1166 , as referred in  FIG. 4 . In accordance with an aspect of the invention, wireless communication device  10  or  20  ( FIGS. 1A-1E and 2A-2E ) may be configured to include emergency service component  1200 . According to various aspects, the emergency service component  1200  may include a processor  1210 , a memory  1220 , power source  1270 , and a user interface  1260 , and may also include a communication component  1250 , triangulation component  1240  and an emergency indication component  1230 . 
     In an aspect, communication component  1250  may be configured to manage communication exchange signaling to and from a network. For example, communication component  1250  may include and execute communication protocols and/or manage other standards-specific communication procedures using protocol and/or standards-specific instructions and/or subscription-specific configuration information. that allow communications with one or more network entities and/or networks. 
     Further, triangulation component  1240  may be configured to determine the location of wireless communication device  10  ( FIG. 1 ). For example, once a user depresses the panic button  26 , wireless communication device  10  and/or emergency services component  1200  may execute triangulation component  1240  to initiate determination of the current location of wireless communication device  10 . The current location determination may be based on triangulation through one or more network entities. In some aspects, a subscriber identity module (SIM) or global positioning system (GPS) may not be necessary to determine the current location. 
     Moreover, emergency indication component  1230  may be configured to detect an emergency indication. For example, emergency indication component  1230  may determine whether a user has depressed panic button  26 . As a result, emergency indication component  1230  may signal emergency services component  1200  and/or processor  1210  to attempt to connect to one or more emergency service providers. 
     In another aspect, emergency services component  1200  may include a power source  1270  that may be configured to power the emergency service component  1200  during both sleep mode and when the emergency service component  1200  is engaged in communication. For example, power source  1270  may be stored in a battery compartment, such as battery compartment  30  ( FIG. 1 ), which may be configured to house one or more batteries of varying size and type. In one example, power source  1270  may include one or more batteries (e.g., one or more triple-A size batteries) Further, power source  1270  may be detachable so as to allow for removal and replacement of the one or more batteries housed within the battery compartment. Alternatively, power source  1270  may provide for a built in battery that may be recharged via power charger port  22  ( FIG. 1 ). 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , an example method is shown and described as a series of acts for purposes of simplicity of explanation. However, it is to be understood and appreciated that the example method (and further methods related thereto) are not limited by the order of acts, as some acts may, in accordance with one or more aspects, occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other acts from that shown and described herein. For example, it is to be appreciated that the methods may alternatively be represented as a series of interrelated states or events, such as in a state diagram. Moreover, not all illustrated acts may be required to implement a method in accordance with one or more features described herein. 
     In an example operational aspect, an emergency services component such as emergency services component  1200  ( FIG. 5 ), may perform one aspect of a method  1300  for establishing an emergency call with one or more numbers stored, for example, on a SIM card. At block  1302 , method  1300  may receive an indication at a device to initiate an emergency call via a wireless network. For example, as described herein, emergency services component  1200  ( FIG. 5 ) may execute emergency indication component  1230  ( FIG. 5 ) to receive an indication at a device (e.g., the emergency services component  1200 ) to initiate an emergency call via a wireless network. 
     Further, at block  1304 , method  1300  may determine whether the device is configured with a subscriber identity module (SIM) card. For example, as described herein, emergency services component  1200  ( FIG. 5 ) may execute processor  1210  and/or communication component  1250  ( FIG. 5 ) to determine whether the device (e.g., the emergency services component  1200 ) is configured with a SIM card  1252 . 
     Moreover, at block  1306 , method  1300  may sequentially initiate a call to the plurality of numbers stored on the SIM card based on the determination that the device is configured with the SIM card. For example, as described herein, emergency services component  1200  ( FIG. 5 ) may execute processor  1210  and/or communication component  1250  ( FIG. 5 ) to sequentially call the plurality of numbers stored on the SIM card  1252  based on the determination that the device (e.g., the emergency services component  1200 ) is configured with the SIM card  1252 . In certain instances, sequentially calling the plurality of numbers stored on the SIM card  1252  based on the determination that the emergency services component  1200  is configured with the SIM card  1252  may further comprise calling a first number of the plurality of numbers stored on the SIM card  1252 ; determining whether the first number is unavailable (e.g., the called first number is engaged/busy); calling a second number of the plurality of numbers stored on the SIM card  1252  based on the determination that the first number is unavailable; and determining whether the second number is available, wherein the emergency services component  1200  is configured to sequentially call the remaining numbers of the plurality of numbers based on the determination that a previously called number is unavailable. 
     At block  1308 , method  1300  may determine whether all of the plurality of numbers stored on the SIM card are unavailable. For example, as described herein, emergency services component  1200  ( FIG. 5 ) may execute processor  1210  and/or communication component  1250  ( FIG. 5 ) to determine whether all of the plurality of numbers stored on the SIM card  1252  are unavailable. 
     Further, at block  1310 , method  1300  may include initiating a call to an emergency service provider. For example, as described herein, emergency services component  1200  ( FIG. 5 ) may execute processor  1210  and/or communication component  1250  ( FIG. 5 ) to call an emergency service provider. In some instances, communication component  1250  may call an emergency service provider based on the determination that all of the plurality of numbers stored on the SIM card  1252  are unavailable. In other instances, communication component  1250  may call an emergency service provider based on the determination that the emergency services component  1200  is not configured with the SIM card  1252  (e.g., block  1304 ). In certain instances, calling an emergency service provider may comprise initiating a 911 call. Furthermore, emergency services component  1200  may reset an order. of sequentially calling the plurality of numbers stored on the SIM card  1252 , such as when the emergency services component  1200  is turned off, wherein resetting the order includes dialing a first number of the plurality of numbers first. For example, if emergency services component  1200  connects with a third number of the plurality of numbers after failing to connect with the first and second numbers and if the emergency services component  1200  is shut down, once the emergency services component  1200  turns on (e.g.; reset) it will dial the first number of the plurality of numbers when emergency indication component  1230  is activated. 
     At block  1312 , method  1300  may establish a call with one of plurality of numbers that is available. For example, as described herein, emergency services component  1200  ( FIG. 5 ) may execute processor  1210  and/or communication component  1250  ( FIG. 5 ) to establish a call with one of plurality of numbers that is available. In some instances, communication component  1250  may call a first number of the plurality of numbers, and the call may be answered, thereby establishing a call between emergency services component  1200  and the first number. 
     Various aspects of a system in accordance with aspects of the present invention have been presented with reference to a wireless communication system. As those skilled in the art will readily appreciate, various aspects described throughout this disclosure may be extended to other telecommunication systems, network architectures and communication standards. By way of example, various aspects may be extended to UMTS systems such as, TD-SCDMA, W-CDMA, High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), High Speed Uplink. Packet Access (HSUPA), High Speed Packet Access Plus (HSPA+) and TD-CDMA. Various aspects may also be extended to systems employing Long Term Evolution (LTE) (in FDD, TDD, or both modes), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) (in FDD, TDD, or both modes), CDMA2000, Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO), Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), Bluetooth, and/or other suitable systems. The actual telecommunication standard, network architecture, and/or communication standard employed will depend on the specific application and the overall design constraints imposed on the system. 
     While aspects of this invention have been described in conjunction with the example features outlined above, various alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and/or substantial equivalents, whether known or that are or may be presently unforeseen, may become apparent to those having at least ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, the example aspects of the invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope hereof. Therefore, aspects of the invention are intended to embrace all known or later-developed alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and/or substantial equivalents.