Patent Publication Number: US-8990400-B2

Title: Facilitating communications among message recipients

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is related to and claims the benefit of the earliest available effective filing date(s) from the following listed application(s) (the “Related Applications”) (e.g., claims earliest available priority dates for other than provisional patent applications or claims benefits under 35 USC §119(e) for provisional patent applications, for any and all parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, etc. applications of the Related Application(s)). 
     RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the present application constitutes a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/893,994, entitled SELECTIVE INVOCATION OF PLAYBACK CONTENT SUPPLEMENTATION, naming Royce A. Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, and Lowell L. Wood, Jr. as inventors, filed 17 Aug. 2007, which is currently co-pending, or is an application of which a currently co-pending application is entitled to the benefit of the filing date. 
     For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the present application constitutes a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/894,028, entitled EFFECTIVELY DOCUMENTING IRREGULARITIES IN A RESPONSIVE USER&#39;S ENVIRONMENT, naming Royce A. Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, and Lowell L. Wood, Jr. as inventors, filed 17 Aug. 2007, which is currently co-pending, or is an application of which a currently co-pending application is entitled to the benefit of the filing date. 
     The United States Patent Office (USPTO) has published a notice to the effect that the USPTO&#39;s computer programs require that patent applicants reference both a serial number and indicate whether an application is a continuation or continuation-in-part. Stephen G. Kunin,  Benefit of Prior - Filed Application , USPTO Official Gazette Mar. 18, 2003, available at http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/com/sol/og/2003/week11/patbene.htm. The present Applicant Entity (hereinafter “Applicant”) has provided above a specific reference to the application(s) from which priority is being claimed as recited by statute. Applicant understands that the statute is unambiguous in its specific reference language and does not require either a serial number or any characterization, such as “continuation” or “continuation-in-part,” for claiming priority to U.S. patent applications. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Applicant understands that the USPTO&#39;s computer programs have certain data entry requirements, and hence Applicant is designating the present application as a continuation-in-part of its parent applications as set forth above, but expressly points out that such designations are not to be construed in any way as any type of commentary and/or admission as to whether or not the present application contains any new matter in addition to the matter of its parent application(s). 
     All subject matter of the Related Applications and of any and all parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, etc. applications of the Related Applications is incorporated herein by reference to the extent such subject matter is not inconsistent herewith. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, a method includes but is not limited to obtaining one or more positions in a playable message and at least an indication of a playback system configuration and signaling a decision of which supplemental content to use in supplementing the one or more positions in the playable message. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure. 
     In one or more various aspects, related systems include but are not limited to circuitry and/or programming for effecting the herein-referenced method aspects; the circuitry and/or programming can be virtually any combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware configured to effect the herein-referenced method aspects depending upon the design choices of the system designer. 
     In one aspect, a system includes but is not limited to circuitry for obtaining one or more positions in a playable message and at least an indication of a playback system configuration and circuitry for signaling a decision of which supplemental content to use in supplementing the one or more positions in the playable message. In addition to the foregoing, other system aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure. 
     In addition to the foregoing, various other method and/or system and/or program product and/or physical carrier aspects are set forth and described in the teachings such as text (e.g., claims and/or detailed description) and/or drawings of the present disclosure. 
     The foregoing is a summary and thus contains, by necessity, simplifications, generalizations and omissions of detail; consequently, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the summary is illustrative only and is NOT intended to be in any way limiting. Other aspects, features, and advantages of the devices and/or processes and/or other subject matter described herein will become apparent in the teachings set forth herein. 
     In one aspect, a method includes but is not limited to obtaining an indication of a first device receiving a message portion during a time interval in which a second device received the message portion and signaling a decision whether to facilitate a signal transfer at least between the first device and the second device. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure. 
     In one or more various aspects, related systems include but are not limited to circuitry and/or programming for effecting the herein-referenced method aspects; the circuitry and/or programming can be virtually any combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware configured to effect the herein-referenced method aspects depending upon the design choices of the system designer. 
     In one aspect, a system includes but is not limited to circuitry for obtaining an indication of a first device receiving a message portion during a time interval in which a second device received the message portion and circuitry for signaling a decision whether to facilitate a signal transfer at least between the first device and the second device. In addition to the foregoing, other system aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure. 
     In addition to the foregoing, various other method and/or system and/or program product and/or physical carrier aspects are set forth and described in the teachings such as text (e.g., claims and/or detailed description) and/or drawings of the present disclosure. 
     The foregoing is a summary and thus contains, by necessity, simplifications, generalizations and omissions of detail; consequently, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the summary is illustrative only and is NOT intended to be in any way limiting. Other aspects, features, and advantages of the devices and/or processes and/or other subject matter described herein will become apparent in the teachings set forth herein. 
     In one aspect, a method includes but is not limited to accepting user-response-indicative data and environmental-regularity-indicative data from an environment and configuring a distillation recording of the environmental-regularity-indicative data and a distillation recording of the user-response-indicative data. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure. 
     In one or more various aspects, related systems include but are not limited to circuitry and/or programming for effecting the herein-referenced method aspects; the circuitry and/or programming can be virtually any combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware configured to effect the herein-referenced method aspects depending upon the design choices of the system designer. 
     In one aspect, a system includes but is not limited to circuitry for accepting user-response-indicative data and environmental-regularity-indicative data from an environment and circuitry for configuring a distillation recording of the environmental-regularity-indicative data and a distillation recording of the user-response-indicative data. In addition to the foregoing, other system aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure. 
     In addition to the foregoing, various other method and/or system and/or program product and/or physical carrier aspects are set forth and described in the teachings such as text (e.g., claims and/or detailed description) and/or drawings of the present disclosure. 
     The foregoing is a summary and thus contains, by necessity, simplifications, generalizations and omissions of detail; consequently, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the summary is illustrative only and is NOT intended to be in any way limiting. Other aspects, features, and advantages of the devices and/or processes and/or other subject matter described herein will become apparent in the teachings set forth herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  depicts an exemplary environment in which one or more technologies may be implemented. 
         FIG. 2  depicts a high-level logic flow of an operational process. 
         FIG. 3  depicts an exemplary environment in which one or more technologies may be implemented. 
         FIG. 4  depicts a high-level logic flow of an operational process. 
         FIG. 5  depicts an exemplary environment in which one or more technologies may be implemented. 
         FIG. 6  depicts a high-level logic flow of an operational process. 
         FIGS. 7-19  depict other exemplary environments in each of which one or more technologies may be implemented. 
         FIGS. 20-21  depict variants of the flow of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIGS. 22-23  depict variants of the flow of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIGS. 24-25  depict variants of the flow of  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Those having skill in the art will recognize that the state of the art has progressed to the point where there is little distinction left between hardware and software implementations of aspects of systems; the use of hardware or software is generally (but not always, in that in certain contexts the choice between hardware and software can become significant) a design choice representing cost vs. efficiency tradeoffs. Those having skill in the art will appreciate that there are various vehicles by which processes and/or systems and/or other technologies described herein can be effected (e.g., hardware, software, and/or firmware), and that the preferred vehicle will vary with the context in which the processes and/or systems and/or other technologies are deployed. For example, if an implementer determines that speed and accuracy are paramount, the implementer may opt for a mainly hardware and/or firmware vehicle; alternatively, if flexibility is paramount, the implementer may opt for a mainly software implementation; or, yet again alternatively, the implementer may opt for some combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware. Hence, there are several possible vehicles by which the processes and/or devices and/or other technologies described herein may be effected, none of which is inherently superior to the other in that any vehicle to be utilized is a choice dependent upon the context in which the vehicle will be deployed and the specific concerns (e.g., speed, flexibility, or predictability) of the implementer, any of which may vary. Those skilled in the art will recognize that optical aspects of implementations will typically employ optically-oriented hardware, software, and or firmware. 
     In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. The use of the same symbols in different drawings typically indicates similar or identical items. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here. 
     Following are a series of systems and flowcharts depicting implementations of processes. For ease of understanding, the flowcharts are organized such that the initial flowcharts present implementations via an initial “big picture” viewpoint and thereafter the following flowcharts present alternate implementations and/or expansions of the “big picture” flowcharts as either sub-steps or additional steps building on one or more earlier-presented flowcharts. Those having skill in the art will appreciate that the style of presentation utilized herein (e.g., beginning with a presentation of a flowchart(s) presenting an overall view and thereafter providing additions to and/or further details in subsequent flowcharts) generally allows for a rapid and easy understanding of the various process implementations. In addition, those skilled in the art will further appreciate that the style of presentation used herein also lends itself well to modular and/or object-oriented program design paradigms. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 1 , shown is an example of a system that may (optionally) serve as a context for introducing one or more processes and/or devices described herein. As shown system  100  may (optionally) include one or more instances of collection modules  130 ; content items  141 ,  142 ; decisions  160 ; primary modules  170 ; or interfaces  180  operable for handling output  185 . Collection module  130  may comprise one or more instances of positions  121 ,  122 ,  123  in respective messages  120 ; indications  132 ,  136 ; or configurations  138 . As shown each such system  100  may be operably (directly or indirectly) coupled with one or more instances of network  190 . Network  190  may (optionally) include or access one or more instances of users  191 , content items  193 , or playback systems  197  (optionally each with one or more configurations  198 ). 
     With reference now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a high-level logic flow  200  of an operational process. Flow  200  includes operation  240 —obtaining one or more positions in a playable message and at least an indication of a playback system configuration (e.g. collection module  130  detecting or otherwise identifying one or more positions  122  in playable message  120  and also at least an indication  132  of a playback system configuration  138 ). This may occur, for example, in an embodiment in which a local interface  180  comprises the playback system. Alternatively or additionally, collection module  130  may use a local indication  136  of remote information such as a configuration  198  of one or more other playback systems  197 . 
     Flow  200  further includes operation  260 —signaling a decision of which supplemental content to use in supplementing the one or more positions in the playable message responsive to the indication of the playback system configuration (e.g. primary module  170  transmitting or implementing a decision  160  on which one or more items  141 ,  142  of content will be used in supplementing the one or more identified positions  122 ). This may occur, for example, in embodiments in which the decision  160  is received from a user  191  accessible by a network or in which the decision is received via a local interface  180 . Alternatively or additionally, the decision may be manifested by expressing the decision  160  or the supplemented message  120  as output  185 . In some variants, for example, such output  185  may be enabled or presented locally and/or via one or more playback systems  197 . 
     With reference now to  FIG. 3 , shown is another example of a system that may serve as a context for introducing one or more processes and/or devices described herein. As shown devices  310 ,  320  may be configured to interact with network  350  or with each other, such as potentially through linkage  315 . Network  350  may include or access one or more message portions  351 ,  352 ,  353  such as by being coupled with system  360 . As shown system  360  may include one or more instances of message portions  353 ; collection modules  380  operable for handling indications  385  as described herein; or primary modules  390  operable for handling decisions  395  as described next. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a high-level logic flow  400  of an operational process. Flow  400  includes operation  430 —obtaining an indication of a first device receiving a message portion during a time interval in which a second device received the message portion (e.g. collection module  380  generating or receiving one or more indications  385  of device  310  receiving at least portion  351  during a retrieval, billing period, performance, or other observable period in which device  320  also received portion  351 ). Alternatively or additionally, collection module  380  may likewise perform operation  430  by detecting portion  352  being apparently transmitted to device  320  or by detecting portion  351  being apparently received in system  360 , roughly corresponding in time to the same one or more portions  351 - 353  being sent elsewhere. In some variants, moreover, one or more such message portions  351  may be received from local sources, such as in respective vicinities of devices  310 ,  320 . 
     Flow  400  further includes operation  480 —signaling a decision whether to facilitate a signal transfer at least between the first device and the second device at least partly in response to the indication of the first device receiving the message portion during the time interval in which the second device received the message portion (e.g. primary module  390  activating a direct or indirect linkage  315  at least between device  310  and device  320 ). Alternatively or additionally, primary module  390  may (optionally) manifest an affirmative decision  395  by causing one or both such devices  310 ,  320  to be notified about the other or in other ways as described herein. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 5 , shown is another example of a system that may serve as a context for introducing one or more processes and/or devices described herein. Shown there is an academic or medical examinee, survey participant, contestant, voter, or other user  501  whose responses are of interest and who is wearing a sensor apparatus, goggles, or a similar item  510  in environment  505 . Item  510  may further comprise one or more instances of earpieces  543 , apertures  545 , logic  547 , or microphones or other sensor modules  549 . Item  510  may be configured to fit onto or over eyeglasses, in some embodiments, and/or to have apertures  545  large enough to enable user  501  to read normally. Alternatively or additionally, logic  547  thereof may include one or more instances of processors or other resources as described herein and/or may permit a temporary docking or other intermittent linkage  555  with one or more instances of system  500 . System  500  may, in turn, comprise environmental-regularity-indicative (ERI) data  561 , user-response-indicative (URI) data  562 , modules  566 , extractors  571 - 572 , ports  588 , or outputs  589  as described below. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 6 , there is shown a high-level logic flow  600  of an operational process. Flow  600  includes operation  610 —accepting user-response-indicative data and environmental-regularity-indicative data from an environment (e.g. logic  547  receiving URI data  562  indicative of one or more users&#39; response to stimuli as well as ERI data  561  indicative of a regularity in their environment  505 ). This may occur in a virtual environment provided in item  510 , for example, in which such data is primarily optical and/or auditory. Alternatively or additionally, sensor module  549  may be configured to detect typed answers received via wireless linkage, particularly in an implementation in which item  510  comprises holes or other optical apertures  545  through which user  501  can see. 
     Flow  600  further includes operation  650 —configuring a distillation recording of the environmental-regularity-indicative data and a distillation recording of the user-response-indicative data (e.g. extractors  571 ,  572  generating one or more respective components of output  589  or composite output from ERI data  561  and URI data  562 ). This may occur, for example, in embodiments in which output  589  is recorded locally or in which some or all of it is transmitted to a remote archiving site. Common data may, moreover, comprise more than one such data source and/or be aggregated and/or distilled at various or successive stages as exemplified herein. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 7 , shown is another example of systems that may serve as a context for introducing one or more processes and/or devices described herein. As shown system  700  may (optionally) include one or more instances of systems  710 ,  720 ,  730 ,  740 ,  750 ,  760 ,  770 , or  780 , each optionally coupled as shown with or through hub  790 . Hub  790  may contain or otherwise bear one or more messages  795 , optionally expressing respective destinations  796 . In a session online, one or more users  701  may each receive output  707  from or provide input  708  to a respective system  710 . System  720  may, for example, include one or more instances of segments  725  as described below. System  730  may similarly comprise one or more instances of fixtures or other stationary sensors  727 , mobile devices  728 , global positioning system (GPS) devices  729 , ERI data  735 , or extraction logic  745 . Such ERI data  735  may include one or more instances of indices  731 - 732  or other data  733 - 734  as described below, for example. Such extraction logic  745  may likewise include one or more instances of modules  741 ,  742 ,  743 ,  744  as described below. System  760  may include one or more instances of segment  765  as described below. Referring now to  FIG. 7  in conjunction with  FIG. 5 , logic  547  or system  500  may comprise any such systems  710 - 780  or hub  790  in some embodiments. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 8 , shown is another example of a system that may serve as a context for introducing one or more processes and/or devices described herein. User  801  is shown in an environment  805  of a workstation  800  comprising one or more instances of microphones, cameras, or other sensors  806 ; display images  808  comprising respective portions  811 ,  812 ; output devices  810 ; documents or other material  813 ; input devices  820 ; or the like. Referring again to  FIG. 7  in conjunction with  FIG. 8 , workstation  800  may comprise any such systems  710 - 780  or hub  790  in some embodiments. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 9 , shown is another example of a system that may serve as a context for introducing one or more processes and/or devices described herein. Interface  900  may comprise one or more instances of modules  965 , audio data  971 , video data  972 , or images  973  having portions  974  of interest. As described below, for example, one or more images having even a tiny portion of a user&#39;s eyes may (optionally) be cropped so that about 1%-5% or more of the total image data consists of ocular data, preferably in a grayscale or color form. Any such objects of interface  900  may (optionally) include two or more versions  975 ,  980  in some variants. Version  980  may, for example, comprise two or more distinguishable expressions  982  therein. For a timeline  985  of audio data, one or more instances  984  of phrases or other content  983  can likewise be identified, as can one or more time segments  987  in which each such instance  984  began or ended. Referring again to  FIG. 7  in conjunction with  FIG. 9 , any such systems  710 - 780  or hub  790  may include one or more instances of interface  900  in some embodiments. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 10 , shown is another example of a system that may serve as a context for introducing one or more processes and/or devices described herein. Medium  1000  may comprise one or more instances of image data  1080 ; sequential portions  1091 ,  1092 ,  1093 ,  1094  of streaming content or other messages  1090 ; or other content  1095 . Image data  1080  may include one or more instances of ocular portions  1011 - 1012 , non-ocular portions  1014 - 1015  such as image  1060 , or other segments  1071 ,  1072 ,  1073 . Image  1060  may, for example, show display portions  1061 - 1062 , documents or other material  1063 , or keyboards  1065  or wearable items  1066 . 
     Ocular portion  1011  constitutes an ocular image generally indicative of a user&#39;s field of view reflected in his eye, but slightly smaller than one kilobyte in black-and-white pixel form. This image is coarse but even in this form, it still has several discernable features. For example, image portion  1021  is distinguishable as display portion  1061 , image portion  1022  is distinguishable as display portion  1062 , image portion  1023  is distinguishable as material  1063 , image portion  1025  is distinguishable as keyboard  1065 , and image portion  1027  is distinguishable as reflecting darker areas (e.g. in relation to a suitable intensity threshold) in the user&#39;s environment. In some embodiments, one or more instances of ocular portions  1012  (or the ocular portion of image portion  974 ) may comprise respective maps of brightness and/or hue larger than 1 megabyte. Alternatively or additionally, two or more instances of ocular portions  1012  detected within a one-minute period may also suffice for detecting some modes of irregularities, especially if such temporally proximate portions comprise respective maps larger than 1 megabyte in combination. Referring again to  FIG. 7  in conjunction with  FIG. 10 , any such systems  710 - 780  or hub  790  may implement one or more instances of medium  1000  in some embodiments, as described herein, or medium  1000  may be implemented in isolation. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 11 , shown is another example of a system that may serve as a context for introducing one or more processes and/or devices described herein. System  1100  may comprise one or more instances of (environmental-regularity-indicative) ERI data  1110 ; (user-response-indicative) URI data  1120 ; primary modules  1130 ; receivers  1140 ; distilled data  1141 ,  1147 ; raw data  1142 ,  1143 ,  1144 ,  1145 ; output  1146 ,  1148 ; modules  1151 ,  1152 ,  1153 ; ports  1154 ,  1155 ; processors  1162 ,  1164 ; handling logic  1170  operable for interacting with memory  1173  or storage  1174 ; modules  1181 - 1182 ; or timing logic  1190 . ERI data  1110  may include one or more instances of data  1111 ,  1112 ,  1113 ,  1114 ,  1115 ,  1116  that may be temporally sequential. URI data  1120  may include one or more roughly corresponding instances of data  1121 ,  1122 ,  1123 ,  1124 ,  1125 ,  1126  as described below. Primary module  1130  may, moreover, comprise one or more instances of various modules  1131 ,  1132 ,  1133 ,  1134 ,  1135 ,  1136 ,  1137 ,  1138 ,  1139  as described below (primarily with reference to  FIGS. 22-23 ). Referring again to  FIG. 7  in conjunction with  FIG. 11 , any such systems  710 - 780  or hub  790  may comprise system  1100  in some embodiments, as described herein, or system  1100  may be implemented in isolation. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 12 , shown is another example of a system that may serve as a context for introducing one or more processes and/or devices described herein. Collection module  1200  may comprise one or more instances of input  1201 ,  1202 ,  1203 ; messages  1205 ; information  1206 ; input processing modules  1210  (comprising modules  1211 ,  1212 ); records  1220 ,  1230  respectively relating one or more locations  1221 ,  1231  at least with one or more pointers or other access objects  1222 ,  1232 ; records  1240 ,  1250  respectively relating two or more fields  1241 - 1244  (including one or more data fields  1242  and one or more position fields  1243 ); categories  1260 ; configuration modules  1270 ; database managers  1280 ; identifiers  1281 - 1282 ; criteria  1283 ; filters  1284 ; modules  1288 ,  1289 ,  1291 ,  1292 ; or evaluation logic  1295 . Categories  1260  may include one or more instances of lengths  1261 , ratings  1262 , recommenders  1263 , providers  1264 , subjects  1265 , languages  1267 , or levels  1268 . Configuration module  1270  may comprise one or more instances of attributes  1271 - 1272 , filters  1273 , modules  1274 , or configurations  1277 . Evaluation logic  1295  may comprise one or more instances of modules  1293 , compressions  1297 , or sizes  1298 . Such components of  FIG. 12  are further described below, primarily with reference to  FIGS. 22-23 . Referring again to  FIG. 7  in conjunction with  FIG. 12 , any such systems  710 - 780  or hub  790  may implement one or more collection modules  1200  in some embodiments, as described herein, or collection module  1200  may be implemented in isolation. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 13 , shown is another example of a system that may serve as a context for introducing one or more processes and/or devices described herein. System  1310  may be coupled with playback system  1370  as shown, for example, or may serve as hub  790  (of  FIG. 7 ) for two or more such systems. System  1310  may include one or more instances of administration modules  1320 , coordination modules  1340 , or other modules  1311 - 1312 . Administration module  1320  may, in turn, comprise one or more instances of modules  1321 - 1322  or profiles  1331 ,  1332 ,  1333  as described below. Coordination module  1340  may include one or more instances of criteria  1341 ,  1351 ; information  1342 ,  1352 ; filters  1343 ,  1353 ; or identifiers  1344 ,  1354  as described below. 
     Playback system  1370  may comprise one or more instances of software  1378 , configurations  1380 , or interfaces  1390 —as may any playback features that may be implemented in systems  710 - 780 . Such a configuration  1380  may include one or more attributes  1381 - 1382 . Interface  1390  may include one or more instances of display screens or other output devices  1396  or microphones or other input devices  1398 . Such components of  FIG. 13  are further described below, primarily with reference to  FIGS. 24-25 . 
     With reference now to  FIG. 14 , shown is another example of a system that may serve as a context for introducing one or more processes and/or devices described herein. System  1400  may comprise one or more instances of criteria  1421 ,  1422 ; information  1430 ; primary modules  1440 ; inventory  1450 ; manifestations  1460 ; processors  1472 ,  1474 ; implementation logic  1480 ; or sequences  1490 . Primary module  1440  may include one or more instances of content  1441 ,  1442 ,  1443  or of module  1446 ,  1447 ,  1448 ,  1449  as described below, primarily with reference to  FIGS. 24-25 . Inventory  1450  may include one or more instances of items  1451 ,  1452 ,  1453 . Manifestations  1460  (of policies or other preferences) may comprise one or more instances of decisions  1463 , history  1465 , expressions  1467 , or explicit choices  1468 . Implementation logic  1480  may comprise one or more instances of protocols  1481 - 1482 . In various embodiments as described herein, sequence  1490  may comprise one or more sequential pairings of successive pointers  1491 ,  1492 ; of successive samples  1493 ,  1494 ; or of a pointer  1492  that is consecutive with a sample  1493 . Any such pointer  1491 ,  1492  or sample  1493 ,  1494  may likewise be omitted from sequence  1490 , of course. Referring again to  FIG. 7  in conjunction with  FIG. 14 , any such systems  710 - 780  or hub  790  may comprise one or more instances of system  1400  in some embodiments, as described herein, or system  1400  may be implemented in isolation. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 15 , shown is another example of a system that may serve as a context for introducing one or more processes and/or devices described herein. System  1500  may comprise one or more instances of primary modules  1520 ; processors  1562 ,  1564 ; collection modules  1570 ; or configuration modules  1590 . Primary module  1520  may, for example, comprise one or more instances of modules  1521 ,  1522 ,  1523 ,  1524 ,  1525 ,  1526 ; decisions  1527 ; signals  1531 - 1532 ; time intervals  1541 - 1542  overlapping along a common axis  1543  of time; or messages  1550  having respectively consecutive adjacent portions  1551 ,  1552 ,  1553 . Collection module  1570  may comprise one or more instances of signals  1571 - 1572 , receivers  1573 , indications  1574 , ports  1576 , times  1577 , or modes  1578 . Configuration module  1590  may comprise one or more instances of profiles  1581 - 1582 , any of which may comprise one or more values  1591 ,  1592 ,  1593 . Such components are further described below, primarily with reference to  FIGS. 20-21 . Referring again to  FIG. 7  in conjunction with  FIG. 15 , any such systems  710 - 780  or hub  790  may comprise one or more instances of system  1500  in some embodiments, as described herein, or system  1500  may be implemented in isolation. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 16 , shown is another example of a system that may serve as a context for introducing one or more processes and/or devices described herein. System  1600  may comprise one or more instances of interface modules  1640  (optionally implemented at system  710 - 720  of  FIG. 7 , for example) operably coupled with one or more processing modules  1690  (through channel  1655  and optionally implemented at system  760  or hub  790  of  FIG. 7 , for example). Interface module  1640  may comprise one or more instances of collection modules  1610 , a driver or other output device  1638 , or a receiver or other input device  1639 . Collection module  1610  may comprise one or more instances of data  1611 ; modules  1613 - 1614 ; messages  1615  having respective portions  1616 ,  1617 ,  1618 ; or control logic  1620 . Control logic  1620  may comprise one or more instances of modules  1622 - 1623 , sensor logic  1626 , or indications  1628 . Processing module  1690  may comprise one or more instances of collection modules  1660 ; processors  1672 ,  1674 ; ports  1651 ,  1652 ,  1653  or other linkages  1650 ; or primary modules  1680 . Primary module  1680  may comprise one or more instances of modules  1681 ,  1682 ,  1683 ,  1684 ,  1685 ,  1686 ,  1687 ; timing logic  1695 ; or other objects  1691 - 1692 . Timing logic  1695  may comprise one or more intervals  1696 ,  1697 ,  1698 . Such components of system  1600  are further described below, primarily with reference to  FIGS. 20-21 . 
     With reference now to  FIG. 17 , shown is another example of a system that may serve as a context for introducing one or more processes and/or devices described herein. System  1700  may comprise one or more instances of evaluation logic  1710 , primary modules  1720 , interfaces  1750 , or collection modules  1770 , some or all of which may interact with network  1790 . Evaluation logic  1710  may comprise one or more instances of function  1711 ; thresholds  1715 ,  1716 ,  1717 ; or modifiers  1718 . Primary module  1720  may comprise one or more instances of modules  1721 ,  1722 ,  1723  or expressions  1731 ,  1732  in images  1730 . Collection module  1770  may comprise one or more instances of modules  1771 ,  1772 ,  1773 ,  1774 ; content  1775 ; or data  1785  or other indications  1781 ,  1782 ,  1783 ,  1784 . Network  1790  may comprise one or more instances of playback modules  1792 ; video or other content  1795  on removable media or other storage  1794 ; or routers  1798 . Such components of system  1700  and network  1790  are further described below, primarily with reference to  FIGS. 20-21 . 
     With reference now to  FIG. 18 , shown is an example of a system that may serve as a context for introducing one or more processes, systems or other articles described herein. Primary system  1800  may include one or more instances of outputs  1820 ,  1840  or implementations  1850 ,  1870  that may be held or transmitted by interfaces  1810 , conduits  1890 , storage devices  1891 , memories  1892 , or the like. In various embodiments as described herein, for example, one or more instances of implementation output data  1821 ,  1822 ,  1823 ,  1824 ,  1825 ,  1826 ,  1831 ,  1832 ,  1833 , or implementation components  1851 ,  1852 ,  1853 ,  1854 ,  1855 ,  1856 ,  1861 ,  1862 ,  1863  may each be expressed in any aspect or combination of software, firmware, or hardware as signals, data, designs, logic, instructions, or the like. The interface(s)  1810  may include one or more instances of input devices  1803 , output devices  1804 , integrated circuits  1808 , lenses  1809 , transmitters  1812 , reflectors  1817 , antennas  1818 , receivers  1819 , or the like for handling data or communicating with local users or with network  1880  via linkage  1805 , for example. Several variants of primary system  1800  are described below with reference to one or more instances of repeaters  1881 , communication satellites  1883 , servers  1884 , processors  1885 , routers  1887 , or other elements of network  1880 . 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize that some list items may also function as other list items. In the above-listed types of media, for example, some instances of interface(s)  1810  may include conduits  1890 , or may also function as storage devices. Transmitters  1812  may likewise include input devices or bidirectional user interfaces, in many implementations of interface(s)  1810 . Each such listed term should not be narrowed by any implication from other terms in the same list but should instead be understood in its broadest reasonable interpretation as understood by those skilled in the art. 
     Several variants described herein refer to device-detectable “implementations” such as one or more instances of computer-readable code, transistor or latch connectivity layouts or other geometric expressions of logical elements, firmware or software expressions of transfer functions implementing computational specifications, digital expressions of truth tables, or the like. Such instances can, in some implementations, include source code or other human-readable portions. Alternatively or additionally, functions of implementations described herein may constitute one or more device-detectable outputs such as decisions, manifestations, side effects, results, coding or other expressions, displayable images, data files, data associations, statistical correlations, streaming signals, intensity levels, frequencies or other measurable attributes, packets or other encoded expressions, or the like from invoking or monitoring the implementation as described herein. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 2 , flow  200  may be performed by one or more instances of server  1884  remote from primary system  1800 , for example, but operable to cause output device(s)  1804  to receive and present results via linkage  1805 . Alternatively or additionally, device-detectable data  1832  may be borne by one or more instances of signal-bearing conduits  1890 , integrated circuits  1808 , or the like as described herein. Such data may optionally be configured for transmission by a semiconductor chip or other embodiment of integrated circuit  1808  that contains or is otherwise operatively coupled with antenna  1818  (in a radio-frequency identification tag, for example). 
     In some variants, some instances of flow  200  may be implemented entirely within primary system  1800 , optionally as a stand-alone system. Operation  240  may be implemented by configuring component  1861  as logic for obtaining one or more positions in a playable message and at least an indication of a playback system configuration, for example. This can be accomplished by including special-purpose instruction sequences or special-purpose-circuit designs for this function, for example, in optical or other known circuit fabrication operations, in programming by various known voltage modulation techniques, or otherwise as described herein or known by those skilled in the art. Output data  1831  from such a component in primary system  1800  or network  1880  may be recorded by writing to or otherwise configuring available portions of storage device(s)  1891 . 
     Alternatively or additionally, such specific output data may be transmitted by configuring transistors, relays, or other drivers or conduits  1890  of primary system  1800  to transfer it to component  1862 , for example. Component  1862  may perform operation  260  via implementation as logic for signaling a decision of which supplemental content to use in supplementing the one or more positions in the playable message, for example. Implementation output data  1832  from such a component in primary system  1800  or network  1880  may be recorded into available portions of storage device(s)  1891  or sent to component  1863 , for example. Output  1840  from flow  200  may likewise include other data as described herein. Each portion of implementation  1850  may likewise include one or more instances of software, hardware, or the like implementing logic that may be expressed in several respective forms as described herein or otherwise understood by those skilled in the art. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 4 , some instance of flow  400  may be implemented entirely within primary system  1800 . Operation  430  may be implemented by configuring component  1851  as logic for obtaining an indication of a first device receiving a message portion during a time interval in which a second device received the message portion, for example, such as by including special-purpose instruction sequences or special-purpose-circuit designs for this function. Output data  1821  from such a component in primary system  1800  or network  1880  may be recorded into available portions of storage device(s)  1891  or sent to component  1852 , for example. Component  1852  may perform operation  480  via implementation as logic for signaling a decision whether to facilitate a signal transfer at least between the first device and the second device, for example. Implementation output data  1822  from such a component in primary system  1800  or network  1880  may be recorded into available portions of storage device(s)  1891  or sent to component  1853 , for example. Output  1820  from flow  400  may likewise include other data  1823 ,  1824  as described herein. Each portion of implementation  1850  may likewise include one or more instances of software, hardware, or the like implementing logic that may be expressed in several respective forms as described herein or otherwise understood by those skilled in the art. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 6 , some instance of flow  600  may be implemented entirely within primary system  1800 . Operation  610  may be implemented by configuring component  1855  as logic for accepting user-response-indicative data and environmental-regularity-indicative data from an environment, for example, such as by including special-purpose instruction sequences or special-purpose-circuit designs for this function. Output data  1825  from such a component in primary system  1800  or network  1880  may be recorded into available portions of storage device(s)  1891  or sent to component  1856 , for example. Component  1856  may perform operation  650  via implementation as logic for configuring a distillation recording of the environmental-regularity-indicative data and a distillation recording of the user-response-indicative data, for example. Implementation output data  1826  from such a component in primary system  1800  or network  1880  may be recorded into available portions of storage device(s)  1891  or sent to component  1854 , for example. Output  1820  from flow  600  may likewise include other data as described herein. Each portion of implementation  1850  may likewise include one or more instances of software, hardware, or the like implementing logic that may be expressed in several respective forms as described herein or otherwise understood by those skilled in the art. 
     In some embodiments, output device  1804  may indicate an occurrence of flow  200  of  FIG. 2  concisely as a decision, an evaluation, an effect, an hypothesis, a probability, a notification, or some other useful technical result. For example, such “indicating” may comprise such modes as showing, signifying, acknowledging, updating, explaining, associating, or the like in relation to any past or ongoing performance of such actions upon the common item(s) as recited. Such indicating may also provide one or more specifics about the occurrence: the parties or device(s) involved, a description of the method or performance modes used, any sequencing or other temporal aspects involved, indications of resources used, location(s) of the occurrence, implementation version indications or other update-indicative information, or any other such contextual information that may be worthwhile to provide at potential output destinations. 
     Concise indication may occur, for example, in a context in which at least some items of data  1821 - 1833  do not matter, or in which a recipient may understand or access portions of data  1821 - 1833  without receiving a preemptive explanation of how it was obtained. By distilling output  1820  or output  1840  at an “upstream” stage (which may comprise integrated circuit  1808 , for example, in some arrangements), downstream-stage media (such as other elements of network  1880 , for example) may indicate occurrences of various methods described herein more effectively. Variants of flow  200 , for example, may be enhanced by distillations described herein, especially in bandwidth-limited transmissions, security-encoded messages, long-distance transmissions, complex images, or compositions of matter bearing other such expressions. 
     In some variants, a local implementation comprises a service operable for accessing a remote system running a remote implementation. In some embodiments, such “accessing” may include one or more instances of establishing or permitting an interaction between the server and a local embodiment such that the local embodiment causes or uses another implementation or output of one or more herein-described functions at the server. Functioning as a web browser, remote terminal session, or other remote activation or control device, for example, interface(s)  1810  may interact with one or more primary system users via input and output devices  1803 ,  1804  so as to manifest an implementation in primary system  1800  via an interaction with server  1884 , for example, running a secondary implementation of flow  200 . Such local implementations may comprise a visual display supporting a local internet service to the remote server, for example. Such a remote server may control or otherwise enable one or more instances of hardware or software operating the secondary implementation outside a system, network, or physical proximity of primary system  1800 . For a building implementing primary system  1800 , for example, “remote” devices may include those in other countries, in orbit, or in adjacent buildings. In some embodiments, “running an implementation” may include invoking one or more instances of software, hardware, firmware, or the like atypically constituted or adapted to facilitate methods or functions as described herein. For example, primary system  1800  running an implementation of flow  200  may be a remote activation of a special-purpose computer program resident on server  1884  via an internet browser session interaction through linkage  1805 , mediated by input device  1803  and output device  1804 . 
     In some variants, some or all of components  1851 - 1856  and  1861 - 1863  may be borne in various data-handling elements—e.g., in one or more instances of storage devices  1891 , in memories  1892  or volatile media, passing through linkage  1805  with network  1880  or other conduits  1890 , in one or more registers, or the like. For example, such processing or configuration may occur in response to user data or the like received at input device  1803  or may be presented at output device  1804 . Instances of input devices  1803  may (optionally) include one or more instances of cameras or other optical devices, hand-held systems or other portable systems, keypads, sensors, or the like as described herein. Output device(s)  1804  may likewise include one or more instances of image projection modules, touch screens, wrist-wearable systems or the like adapted to be worn while in use, headphones and speakers, eyewear, liquid crystal displays (LCDs), actuators, lasers, organic or other light-emitting diodes, phosphorescent elements, portions of (hybrid) input devices  1803 , or the like. 
     A device-detectable implementation of variants described herein with reference to flows  200 ,  400 ,  600 , for example, may be divided into several components  1851 - 1856  and  1861 - 1863  carried by one or more instances of active modules such as signal repeaters  1881 , communication satellites  1883 , servers  1884 , processors  1885 , routers  1887 , or the like. For example, in some embodiments, component  1862  may be borne by an “upstream” module (e.g., repeater  1881  or the like) while or after component  1861  is borne in a “downstream” module (e.g., another instance of repeater  1881 , communication satellite  1883 , server  1884 , or the like). Such downstream modules may “accept” such bits or other portions of implementation  1850  or implementation  1870  sequentially, for example, such as by amplifying, relaying, storing, checking, or otherwise processing what was received actively. Sensors and other “upstream” modules may likewise “accept” raw data, such as by measuring physical phenomena or accessing one or more databases. 
     In some embodiments, a medium bearing data (or other such event) may be “caused” (directly or indirectly) by one or more instances of prior or contemporaneous measurements, decisions, transitions, circumstances, or other causal determinants. Any such event may likewise depend upon one or more other prior, contemporaneous, or potential determinants, in various implementations as taught herein. In other words, such events may occur “in response” to both preparatory (earlier) events and triggering (contemporaneous) events in some contexts. Output  1840  may result from more than one component of implementations  1850 ,  1870  or more than one operation of flow  200 , for example. 
     In some embodiments, such integrated circuits  1808  may comprise transistors, capacitors, amplifiers, latches, converters, or the like on a common substrate of a semiconductor material, operable to perform computational tasks or other transformations. An integrated circuit may be application-specific (“ASIC”) in that it is designed for a particular use rather than for general purpose use. An integrated circuit may likewise include one or more instances of memory circuits, processors, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA&#39;s), antennas, or other components, and may be referred to as a system-on-a-chip (“SoC”). 
     In some embodiments, one or more instances of integrated circuits or other processors may be configured to perform auditory pattern recognition. In  FIG. 18 , for example, instances of the one or more input devices  1803  may include a microphone or the like operable to provide auditory samples in data  1831 - 1839 . Some form or portion of such output may be provided remotely, for example, to one or more instances of neural networks or other configurations of remote processors  1885  operable to perform automatic or supervised speech recognition, selective auditory data retention or transmission, or other auditory pattern recognition, upon the samples. Alternatively or additionally such sound-related data may include annotative information relating thereto such as a capture time or other temporal indications, capture location or other source information, language or other content indications, decibels or other measured quantities, pointers to related data items or other associative indications, or other data aggregations or distillations as described herein. 
     In some embodiments, one or more instances of integrated circuits or other processors may be configured for optical image pattern recognition. In  FIG. 18 , for example, instances of lenses  1809  or other input devices  1803  may include optical sensors or the like operable to provide one or more of geometric, hue, or optical intensity information in data  1831 - 1839 . Some form or portion of such output may be provided locally, for example, to one or more instances of optical character recognition software, pattern recognition processing resources, or other configurations of integrated circuits  1808  operable to perform automatic or supervised image recognition, selective optical data retention or transmission, or the like. Alternatively or additionally such image-related data may include annotative information relating thereto such as a capture time or other temporal indications, capture location or other source information, language or other content indications, pointers to related data items or other associative indications, or other data aggregations or distillations as described herein. 
     In some embodiments, one or more instances of integrated circuits or other processors may be configured to perform linguistic pattern recognition. In  FIG. 18 , for example, instances of input devices  1803  may include keys, pointing devices, microphones, sensors, reference data, or the like operable to provide spoken, written, or other symbolic expressions in data  1831 - 1839 . Some form or portion of such output may be provided locally, for example, to one or more instances of translation utilities, compilers, or other configurations of integrated circuits  1808  operable to perform automatic or supervised programming or other language recognition, selective linguistic data retention or transmission, or the like. Alternatively or additionally such language-related data may include annotative information relating thereto such as a capture time or other temporal indications, capture location or other source information, language or other content indications, pointers to related data items or other associative indications, or other data classifications, aggregations, or distillations as described herein. In some embodiments, one or more antennas  1818  or receivers  1819  may include a device that is the receiving end of a communication channel as described herein. For example, such a receiver may gather a signal from a dedicated conduit or from the environment for subsequent processing and/or retransmission. As a further example, such antennas or other receivers may include one or more instances of wireless antennas, radio antennas, satellite antennas, broadband receivers, digital subscriber line (DSL) receivers, modem receivers, transceivers, or configurations of two or more such devices for data reception as described herein or otherwise known. 
     In one variant, two or more respective portions of output data  1831 - 1839  may be sent from server  1884  through respective channels at various times, one portion passing through repeater  1881  and another through router  1887 . Such channels may each bear a respective portion of a data aggregation or extraction, a publication, a comparative analysis or decision, a record selection, digital subscriber content, statistics or other research information, a resource status or potential allocation, an evaluation, an opportunity indication, a test or computational result, or another output  1820 , 1840  of interest. Such distributed media may be implemented as an expedient or efficient mode of bearing such portions of output data to a common destination such as interface  1810  or a data holding device. Alternatively or additionally, some such data may be transported by moving a medium (carried on storage device  1891 , for example) so that only a small portion (a purchase or other access authorization, for example, or a contingent or supplemental module) is transferred via linkage  1805 . 
     In some embodiments, one or more instances of signal repeaters  1881  may include a device or functional implementation that receives a signal and transmits some or all of the signal with one or more of an altered strength or frequency, or with other modulation (e.g., an optical-electrical-optical amplification device, a radio signal amplifier or format converter, a wireless signal amplifier, or the like). A repeater may convert analog to digital signals or digital to analog signals, for example, or perform no conversion. Alternatively or additionally, a repeater may reshape, retime or otherwise reorder an output for transmission. A repeater may likewise introduce a frequency offset to an output signal such that the received and transmitted frequencies are different. A repeater also may include one or more instances of a relay, a translator, a transponder, a transceiver, an active hub, a booster, a noise-attenuating filter, or the like. 
     In some embodiments, such communication satellite(s)  1883  may be configured to facilitate telecommunications while in a geosynchronous orbit, a Molniya orbit, a low earth orbit, or the like. Alternatively or additionally, a communication satellite may receive or transmit, for example, telephony signals, television signals, radio signals, broadband telecommunications signals, or the like. 
     In some variants, processor  1885  or any components  1851 - 1856  and  1861 - 1863  of implementations  1850 ,  1870  may (optionally) be configured to perform flow variants as described herein with reference to  FIGS. 20-25 . An occurrence of such a variant can be expressed as a computation, a transition, or as one or more other items of data  1831 - 1839  described herein. Such output  1820 , 1840  can be generated, for example, by depicted components of primary system  1800  or network  1880  including one or more features as described with reference to  FIGS. 7-17 . 
     With reference now to  FIG. 19 , shown is an example of another system that may serve as a context for introducing one or more processes, systems or other articles described herein. As shown system  1900  comprises one or more instances of writers  1901 , processors  1903 , controls  1905 , software or other implementations  1907 , invokers  1912 , compilers  1914 , outputs  1916 , coding modules  1918 , or the like with one or more media  1990  bearing expressions or outputs thereof. In some embodiments, such media may include distributed media bearing a divided or otherwise distributed implementation or output. For example, in some embodiments, such media may include two or more physically distinct solid-state memories, two or more transmission media, a combination of such transmission media with one or more data-holding media configured as a data source or destination, or the like. 
     In some embodiments, transmission media may be “configured” to bear an output or implementation (a) by causing a channel in a medium to convey a portion thereof or (b) by constituting, adapting, addressing, or otherwise linking to such media in some other mode that depends upon one or more atypical traits of the partial or whole output or implementation. Data-holding elements of media may likewise be “configured” to bear an output or implementation portion (a) by holding the portion in a storage or memory location or (b) by constituting, adapting, addressing, or otherwise linking to such media in some other mode that depends upon one or more atypical traits of the partial or whole output or implementation. Such atypical traits may include a name, address, portion identifier, functional description, or the like sufficient to distinguish the output, implementation, or portion from a generic object. 
     In some embodiments described herein, “logic” and similar implementations can include software or other control structures operable to guide device operation. Electronic circuitry, for example, can manifest one or more paths of electrical current constructed and arranged to implement various logic functions as described herein. In some embodiments, one or more media are “configured to bear” a device-detectable implementation if such media hold or transmit a special-purpose device instruction set operable to perform a novel method as described herein. Alternatively or additionally, in some variants, an implementation may include special-purpose hardware or firmware components or general-purpose components executing or otherwise invoking special-purpose components. Specifications or other implementations may be transmitted by one or more instances of transmission media as described herein, optionally by packet transmission or otherwise by passing through distributed media at various times. 
     In some embodiments, one or more of the coding modules  1918  may be configured with circuitry for applying, imposing, or otherwise using a syntactic or other encoding constraint in forming, extracting, or otherwise handling respective portions of the device-detectable implementation or output. In encoding a software module or other message content, for example, compiler  1914  or coding module  1918  may implement one or more such constraints pursuant to public key or other encryption, applying error correction modes, certifying or otherwise annotating the message content, or implementing other security practices described herein or known by those skilled in the art. Alternatively or additionally, another instance of coding module  1918  may be configured to receive data (via receiver  1819 , e.g.) and decode or otherwise distill the received data using one or more such encoding constraints. Compiler  1914  may, in some variants, convert one or more of components  1851 - 1856  and  1861 - 1863  from a corresponding source code form before the component(s) are transmitted across linkage  1805 . 
     System  1900  may be implemented, for example, as one or more instances of stand-alone workstations, servers, vehicles, portable devices, removable media  1920 , as components of primary system  1800  or network  1880  (of  FIG. 18 ), or the like. Alternatively or additionally, media  1990  may include one or more instances of signal repeaters  1881 , communication satellites  1883 , servers  1884 , processors  1885 , routers  1887 , portions of primary system  1800  as shown, or the like. 
     Media  1990  may include one or more instances of removable media  1920 , tapes or other storage media  1926 ; parallel (transmission) media  1930 ; disks  1944 ; memories  1946 ; other data-handling media  1950 ; serial media  1960 ; interfaces  1970 ; or expressions  1989 ,  1999 . Removable media  1920  can bear one or more device-detectable instances of instruction sequences  1922  or other implementations of flow  200  or flow  400 , for example. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, removable media  1920  can bear alphanumeric data, audio data, image data, structure-descriptive values, or other content  1924  in a context that indicates an occurrence of one or more flows  200 ,  400 ,  600 . In some circumstances, transmission media may bear respective portions of implementations as described herein serially or otherwise non-simultaneously. In some variants in which two portions  1997 ,  1998  constitute a partial or complete software implementation or product of a novel method described herein, portion  1997  may follow portion  1998  successively through serial media  1963 ,  1965 ,  1967  (with transmission of portion  1997  partly overlapping in time with transmission of portion  1998  passing through medium  1963 , for example). As shown, parallel channels  1931 ,  1932  are respectively implemented at least in media  1937 ,  1938  of a bus or otherwise effectively in isolation from one another. In some embodiments, a bus may be a system of two or more signal paths—not unified by a nominally ideal conduction path between them-configured to transfer data between or among internal or external computer components. For example, one data channel may include a power line (e.g., as medium  1965 ) operable for transmitting content of the device-detectable implementation as described herein between two taps or other terminals (e.g., as media  1963 ,  1967  comprising a source and destination). In another such configuration, one or more media  1937  of channel  1931  may bear portion  1997  before, while or after one or more other media  1938  of parallel channel  1932  bear portion  1998 . In some embodiments, such a process may occur “while” another process occurs if they coincide or otherwise overlap in time substantially (by several clock cycles, for example). In some embodiments, such a process may occur “after” an event if any instance of the process begins after any instance of the event concludes, irrespective of other instances overlapping or the like. 
     In a variant in which a channel through medium  1950  bears an expression  1955  partially implementing an operational flow described herein, the remainder of the implementation may be borne (earlier or later, in some instances) by the same medium  1950  or by one or more other portions of media  1990  as shown. In some embodiments, moreover, one or more controls  1905  may configure at least some media  1990  by triggering transmissions as described above or transmissions of one or more outputs  1916  thereof. 
     In some embodiments, the one or more “physical media” may include one or more instances of conduits, layers, networks, static storage compositions, or other homogenous or polymorphic structures or compositions suitable for bearing signals. In some embodiments, such a “communication channel” in physical media may include a signal path between two transceivers or the like. A “remainder” of the media may include other signal paths intersecting the communication channel or other media as described herein. In some variants, another exemplary system comprises one or more physical media  1990  constructed and arranged to receive a special-purpose sequence  1982  of two or more device-detectable instructions  1984  for implementing a flow as described herein or to receive an output of executing such instructions. Physical media  1990  may (optionally) be configured by writer  1901 , transmitter  1812 , or the like. 
     In some embodiments, such a “special-purpose” instruction sequence may include any ordered set of two or more instructions directly or indirectly operable for causing multi-purpose hardware or software to perform one or more methods or functions described herein: source code, macro code, controller or other machine code, or the like. In some embodiments, an implementation may include one or more instances of special-purpose sequences  1982  of instructions  1984 , patches or other implementation updates  1988 , configurations  1994 , special-purpose circuit designs  1993 , or the like. Such “designs,” for example, may include one or more instances of a mask set definition, a connectivity layout of one or more gates or other logic elements, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a multivariate transfer function, or the like. 
     Segments of such implementations or their outputs may (optionally) be manifested one or more information-bearing static attributes comprising the device-detectable implementation. Such attributes may, in some embodiments, comprise a concentration or other layout attribute of magnetic or charge-bearing elements, visible or other optical elements, or other particles in or on a liquid crystal display or other solid-containing medium. Solid state data storage modules or other such static media may further comprise one or more instances of laser markings, barcodes, human-readable identifiers, or the like, such as to indicate one or more attributes of the device-detectable implementation. Alternatively or additionally such solid state or other solid-containing media may include one or more instances of semiconductor devices or other circuitry, magnetic or optical digital storage disks, dynamic or flash random access memories (RAMs), or the like. Magnetoresistive RAMs may bear larger implementation or output portions or aggregations safely and efficiently, moreover, and without any need for motors or the like for positioning the storage medium. 
     Segments of such implementations or their outputs may likewise be manifested in electromagnetic signals  1986 , laser or other optical signals  1991 , electrical signals  1992 , or the like. In some embodiments, for example, such electrical or electromagnetic signals may include one or more instances of static or variable voltage levels or other analog values, radio frequency transmissions or the like. In some embodiments, the above-mentioned “optical” signals may likewise include one or more instances of time- or position-dependent, device-detectable variations in hue, intensity, or the like. Alternatively or additionally, portions of such implementations or their outputs may manifest as one or more instances of magnetic, magneto-optic, electrostatic, or other physical configurations  1928  of nonvolatile storage media  1926  or as external implementation access services  1972 . 
     In some embodiments, physical media can be configured by being “operated to bear” or “operated upon to bear” a signal. For example, they may include physical media that generate, transmit, conduct, receive, or otherwise convey or store a device-detectable implementation or output as described herein. Such conveyance or storing of a device-detectable implementation or output may be carried out in a distributed fashion at various times or locations, or such conveyance or storing of a device-detectable implementation or output may be done at one location or time. As discussed above, such physical media “operated to bear” or “operated upon to bear” may include physical media that are atypically constituted or adapted to facilitate methods or functions as described herein. 
     In some configurations, one or more output devices  1804  may present one or more results of signaling a decision of which supplemental content to use in supplementing the one or more positions in the playable message in response to interface(s)  1810  receiving one or more invocations or outputs of an implementation of this function via linkage  1805 . Such an “invocation” may, in some embodiments, comprise one or more instances of requests, hardware or software activations, user actions, or other determinants as described herein. In contexts like these, processor  1885  or other components of network  1880  may likewise constitute a secondary implementation having access to a primary instance of interface  1810  implementing methods like flow  200  as described herein. 
     Serial media  1960  comprises a communication channel of two or more media configured to bear a transition or other output increment successively. In some embodiments, for example, serial media  1960  may include a communication line or wireless medium (e.g., as medium  1965 ) between two signal-bearing conduits (e.g., terminals or antennas as media  1963 ,  1967 ). Alternatively or additionally, one or more lenses  1809  or other light-transmissive media may comprise a serial medium between a light-transmissive medium and a sensor or other light receiver  1819  or transmitter  1812 . In some embodiments, such “light-transmissive” media may (optionally) comprise metamaterials or other media operable for bearing one or more instances of microwave signals, radiowave signals, visible light signals, or the like. 
     In some embodiments, such a lens may be an optical element that causes light to converge or diverge along one or more signal paths. Such a light-transmissive medium may include a signal-bearing conduit, glass, or other physical medium through which an optical signal may travel. More generally, a signal-bearing conduit may be an electrical wire, a telecommunications cable, a fiber-optic cable, or a mechanical coupling or other path for the conveyance of analog or digital signals. 
     Alternatively or additionally, system  1900  may likewise include one or more instances of media for handling implementations or their outputs: satellite dishes or other reflectors  1817 , antennas  1818  or other transducers  1975 , arrays of two or more such devices configured to detect or redirect one or more incoming signals, caching elements or other data-holding elements (e.g., disks  1944 , memories  1946 , or other media  1990 ), integrated circuits  1808 , or the like. In some variants, one or more media may be “configured” to bear a device-detectable implementation as described herein by being constituted or otherwise specially adapted for that type of implementation at one or more respective times, overlapping or otherwise. Such “signal-bearing” media may include those configured to bear one or more such signals at various times as well as those currently bearing them. 
     In some embodiments, such caching elements may comprise a circuit or device configured to store data that duplicates original values stored elsewhere or computed earlier in time. For example, a caching element may be a temporary storage area where frequently-accessed data may be held for rapid access by a computing system. A caching element likewise may be machine-readable memory (including computer-readable media such as random access memory or data disks). In some embodiments, such caching elements may likewise comprise a latching circuit or device configured to store data that has been modified from original values associated with the data (held elsewhere or computed earlier in time, for example). 
     In one variant, respective portions  1995 ,  1996  of an expression  1999  of implementation  1907  may be sent through respective channels at various times. Invoker  1912  may request or otherwise attempt to activate a computer program or streaming media overseas via a telephone cable or other channel  1931 . Meanwhile, output  1916  may attempt to trigger a session or other partial implementation  1952 , success in which may be indicated by receiving expression  1955  into a visual display or other medium  1950 . Such a program or other implementation may be made complete, for example, once both of these attempts succeed. 
     In some embodiments, transducer(s)  1975  may comprise one or more devices that convert a signal from one form to another form. For example, a transducer may be a cathode ray tube that transforms electrical signals into visual signals. Another example of a transducer comprises a microelectromechanical systems (“MEMS”) device, which may be configured to convert mechanical signals into electrical signals (or vice versa). 
     Operation  2031  describes obtaining the indication after an entirety of the message portion apparently arrives at the first device and at the second device (e.g. receiver  1573  receiving a confirmatory message or other signal  1571  from a sending system  720  indicating that one or more portions of message  795  were addressed and transmitted to two or more of systems  740 - 770 , and were thus apparently transmitted concurrently). This may occur, for example, in a context in which message  795  comprises e-mail, a transaction record, or other text-containing content, optionally reciting a distribution list or one or more other destinations  796  explicitly. Alternatively or additionally, port  1576  may perform operation  2031  by detecting one or more acknowledgments or other indications  1574  of when one or more such systems  740 ,  750  actually received such a portion. In some embodiments, for example, such an indication  1574  may explicitly recite a transmission time  1577  or may implicitly indicate a transmission time (e.g. by collection module  1570  operating in a mode  1578  in which the transmission time  1577  is inferred to be within about an hour before the receipt of indication  1574  is detected). In some variants, for example, collection module  1570  may be configured to perform operation  2031  by requesting a status of message portion  1093  at system  740  via port  1576  in response to an indication of when system  740  received the portion. 
     Operation  2034  describes obtaining an indication of when the first device apparently received the message portion (e.g. control logic  1620  invoking module  1623  for extracting or otherwise obtaining an approximate or nominal date or time indication  1628  expressing when a transmission of image data portion  1092  to system  720  was apparently completed). This may occur, for example, in a context in which a source system  780  or intermediary (bearer) of portion  1092  records or otherwise directly expresses such an event time indication. Alternatively or additionally, sensor logic  1626  may infer such information indirectly, such as by detecting when system  720  apparently stopped requesting portion  1092  or started requesting content  1095  instead, in contexts in which such requests are repeated. 
     Operation  2035  describes obtaining a configuration value relating to the second device (e.g. configuration module  1590  implementing or receiving one or more values  1592 - 1593  of a profile  1581  characterizing one or more systems  750 - 770 ). This may occur, for example, in a context in which one or more such values  1592  are received directly from a user or default configuration in system  760  or hub  790 . Alternatively or additionally, one or more such values  1593  may be received from the “second” device directly or via an intermediary. In some embodiments, such values may help to determine whether or when system  760  may (or may not) have received portions  1091 ,  1093 . See, e.g., the configurations explained herein in conjunction with flow  400  and variants thereof. 
     Operation  2037  describes presenting at least some of the message portion at a user interface comprising either the first device or the second device (e.g. control logic  1620  invoking module  1622  for causing one or more speakers or other output devices  1638 ,  810  to present at least some of one or more portions  1617 ,  1618  of message  1615 ). This may occur, for example, in a context in which the “first” or “second” device merely comprises an output device or other component of interface module  1640 , a wearable item  510 , or other apparatus operable for relaying information to one or more users. Alternatively or additionally, one or more such devices may comprise storage or network components such as those of system  700 . 
     Operation  2082  describes contacting the second device in response to an indication of the first device receiving the message portion from a third device (e.g. processor  1562  invoking module  1524  for notifying system  760  that system  770  has received at least message portion  1551 ). This may occur, for example, in a context in which system  720  receives at least that portion  1551  in an overlapping time interval  1541  and/or provides it to one or more other systems. Alternatively or additionally, module  1524  may likewise be invoked for signaling the decision  1527  to one or more other systems. 
     In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may be applied for notifying or otherwise communicating with wireless or other networked equipment, for example, for responding to interactions among other devices as described herein without undue experimentation. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,216,144 (“Facilitating negotiations between users of a computer network through messaging communications enabling user interaction”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,133,687 (“Delivery of voice data from multimedia messaging service messages”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,095,833 (“System and method for generating call records based on account codes”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,036,128 (“Using a community of distributed electronic agents to support a highly mobile, ambient computing environment”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,010,508 (“Automated multimedia data processing network”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,868,544 (“Method and system for general-purpose interactive notifications”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,728,352 (“Switch interaction subsystems for facilitating network information management”); and U.S. Pat. No. 6,457,011 (“Method of updating a shared database in a computer network”). 
     Operation  2083  describes notifying at least the first device of the message portion being received at the second device (e.g. processor  1562  invoking module  1525  for notifying system  770  at least that one or more other systems have apparently received message portion  1551 ). This may occur, for example, in a context in which system  1500  comprises an intermediary or one of the “second” systems. Alternatively or additionally, module  1521  may perform operation  2083  by notifying system  760  that it is currently receiving message portion  1552  in a context in which system  1500  transmits such content. 
     Operation  2088  describes establishing a signal path between the first device and the second device in facilitating the signal transfer (e.g. processor  1672  invoking module  1685  for establishing a dedicated channel  1655  or some other operable linkage  1650  facilitating communication between respective recipient devices). This may occur, for example, in a context in which system  1600  automatically becomes a host or similar coordinating entity creating or arbitrating the linkage(s), optionally with other systems. Alternatively or additionally, module  1686  may perform operation  2088  by sending one or more data objects  1692  from system  1600  to one or more other systems. In some embodiments, such data objects  1692  may effectively establish one or more such paths, for example, by determining a mode of return communication. 
     Operation  2089  describes causing the signal transfer in response to a user authorization (e.g. processor  1672  invoking module  1682  for contacting user  701  in response to input  708  from user  701  manifesting an apparent desire to signal one or more other users). This may occur, for example, in a context in which user  701  explicitly speaks or otherwise signals a greeting in response to an interface prompt or other output  707  accessible to user  701 ). Alternatively or additionally, module  1684  may perform operation  2089  automatically pursuant to a prior authorization from user  701  to invite any proximate recipients into a virtual chatroom or otherwise initiate such contact. 
     Operation  2132  describes obtaining the indication apparently before the first device receives any of the message portion and before the second device receives an entirety of the message portion (e.g. module  1613  detecting that at least some systems  760 ,  770  have apparently not yet received one or more message portions  1093 ,  1094 ). This may occur, for example, in a context in which a source or intermediary system has indicated that a broadcast in progress has not yet reached message portion  1094 . Alternatively or additionally, a hub  790  or other intermediary may facilitate operation  2132  by indicating, for example, that hub  790  is presently receiving a portion  1093  of which one or more other potential destination systems  770  have not received any. In some embodiments, such a situation may facilitate more efficient routing, for example, if hub  790  is much closer to any such destination systems  760 ,  770  than system  710  or some other source. 
     Operation  2133  describes obtaining an indication that the first device and the second device have each apparently received at least some of a common broadcast (e.g. module  1774  receiving information  1783  from hub  790  or other systems  740 - 760  that system  780  has transmitted at least some common content to at least two systems  740 - 750 ). This may occur, for example, in a context in which hub  790  or router  1798  routes at least some of message  795  or other content  1775 ,  1095  or otherwise serves as a relay station or other service provider. Alternatively or additionally, module  1773  may perform operation  2133  by detecting one or more indirect indications  1784  of such a transmission before or after the fact. In some embodiments, for example, such indirect indications  1784  may comprise one or more instances of billing records for such content  1775 ; message headers, source-indicative watermarks, or similar data  1785  embedded in such content  1775 ; a subsequent presence of such content  1095  at one or more of the systems  740 - 750 ; a distribution list indicating such destinations for such content; or the like. 
     Operation  2138  describes obtaining an indication of the message portion being retrieved from storage as the indication of the first device receiving the message portion (e.g. module  1772  generating such an indication  1782  pursuant to requesting or retrieving at least content  1795  from remote or local storage  1794 ). This may occur, for example, in a context in which the “first” device comprises playback module  1792  or other devices in network  1790  able to access such storage  1794 . Alternatively or additionally, module  1771  may likewise accept such a retrieval event as an indication  1781  of whether or when the “second” or other devices received message portion  1091 . In some embodiments, one or more instances of comparators or other such evaluation logic  178 N may then be used for comparing such indications  1781  with one or more minimum or maximum thresholds  1715 - 1717  effectively implementing the time interval of the “second” device&#39;s reception. In some variants, for example, such a time interval implementation may only signify an effective beginning, for example, in a case in which the time interval extends to the moment of comparison. Conversely, a time interval implementation may be implemented in other cases merely by applying one or more thresholds  1716  (with any offsets or other modifiers  1718 , for example) that effectively determine the interval&#39;s end. 
     Operation  2181  describes causing a module to decide whether to enable the signal transfer partly in response to one or more apparent user preferences and partly in response to the indication of the first device receiving the message portion during the time interval (e.g. processor  1672  invoking module  1681  for enabling module  1683  only if user  701  expresses a preference to interact with other recipients and if timing logic  1695  indicates that port  1651  and one or more other recipients&#39; systems  730 - 740  have apparently received one or more common message portions  1616 ,  1617  alternatingly or otherwise during respective overlapping time intervals  1696 - 1698 ). This may occur, for example, in embodiments in which primary module  1680  performs operation  480 . It may occur more frequently, moreover, in a context in which at least one such portion  1616  has a nominal playback time of longer than an hour, in which a large community of users requests such a portion  1617  on an ongoing basis, in which such time intervals are defined to be longer than an hour, or in other such circumstances as described herein. Alternatively or additionally, module  1683  may trigger the signal transfer(s) immediately, after a fixed delay, or after one or more additional criteria are satisfied. In some embodiments, for example, such criteria may include a determination whether one or more portions  1616 ,  1617  have already been replayed at another specific recipient&#39;s system, whether the specific recipient has not been blocked or otherwise negatively reviewed, and/or whether such a message replay has apparently been observed, or in other such logical combinations with other circumstances described herein. 
     In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may be applied for detecting selection events or other direct or indirect indicia of users&#39; needs or preferences as described herein without undue experimentation, in light of teachings herein. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,242,413 (“Methods, systems and computer program products for controlling tree diagram graphical user interfaces and/or for partially collapsing tree diagrams”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,231,443 (“System allowing user associating user off-line status messages of selectable content with participants on user&#39;s authorized access lists”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,222,782 (“Cash dispensing automated banking machine with improved user observation capabilities”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,200,640 (“Continuously tunable, graphic internet navigation tool”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,194,689 (“Generic user control point tool for universal plug and play (UPnP) devices”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,142,205 (“Single gesture map navigation graphical user interface for a personal digital assistant”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,120,615 (“Neural network system and method for controlling information output based on user feedback”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,120,234 (“Integrated tone-based and voice-based telephone user interface”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,757,902 (“Computer system for automatically instantiating tasks designated by a user”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,714,840 (“User-machine interface system for enhanced interaction”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,317,116 (“Graphical click surfaces for force feedback applications to provide selection of functions using cursor interaction with a trigger position of a graphical object”). 
     In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may be applied for invoking decision circuitry or the like in response to various combinations of event timing and user actions as described herein without undue experimentation. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,069,507 (“Event routing model for an extensible editor”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,031,998 (“Systems and methods for automatically managing workflow based on optimization of job step scheduling”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,993,681 (“Remote administration in a distributed system”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,933,685 (“Method and apparatus for controlling lighting based on user behavior”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,622,137 (“System and method for business decision implementation in a billing environment using decision operation trees”); and U.S. Pat. No. 6,484,261 (“Graphical network security policy management”). 
     Operation  2185  describes signaling the decision whether to facilitate the signal transfer responsive to an indication of when the second device received the message portion (e.g. module  1721  responding in a manner contingent on whether the “second” device is apparently behind the “first” device, in its respective progress through one or more message portions  1091 - 1094 ). This may occur, for example, in a context in which system  740  will pause or slow down in response to an indication that system  710  apparently began receiving portion  1094  after system  740  did. Conversely, system  740  may undergo operation  2185  by jumping forward or speeding up its playback in response to an indication that system  760  is apparently somewhat more advanced in its playback progress. Alternatively or additionally, such adjustments may be performed automatically or only after notifying or requesting authorization therefor from respective recipients. Alternatively or additionally, module  1723  may be invoked for notifying one or more such recipients of one or more somewhat contemporaneous delivery or playback events of one or more common message portions  151 K, optionally including one or more quantitative expressions  1731  of differences in progress. In some embodiments, for example, such expressions  1731  may take the form of a number or graphical size, optionally expressed in a common image  1730  with one or more other expressions  1732  of an apparently preferred language, an affiliation, a geographical location, a user identifier, or some other information relating to such other recipient(s). 
     Operation  2186  describes manifesting the signal transfer as a first signal to the first device responsive to receiving a second signal from the second device (e.g. processor  1562  invoking module  1526  for transmitting an invitation or other “first” signal  1571  to system  760  directly or indirectly in response to a request, notice, or other “second” signal  1572  from system  750 ). This may occur, for example, in a context in which hub  790  or system  710  implements system  1500 , in which collection module  1570  performs operation  430 , and in which at least processor  1562  and primary module  1520  jointly perform operation  480 . 
     Operation  2187  describes facilitating at least a partial synchronization between the first device and the second device (e.g. processor  1562  invoking module  1522  for delaying a presentation in a “leading” system  740 , conditionally or otherwise). This may occur, for example, in a context in which a user or administrator thereof has expressed a preference for such synchronization, in which such synchronizations occur system-wide as a matter of course, in which such replay never proceeds in the absence of such synchronization, or in other such circumstances or combinations of circumstances. Alternatively or additionally, processor  1562  may likewise invoke module  1523  for performing operation  2187  by facilitating an acceleration of a presentation in a “trailing” system  750 , conditionally or otherwise. In some embodiments, for example, such accelerations may be implemented by a “gentle” replay speed adjustment (of about 10% or less) and/or by closing the gap by foregoing some detour or otherwise jumping ahead (closer to a “leading” system&#39;s current replay position, for example). 
     Operation  2211  describes causing one or more sensors to detect at least the environmental-regularity-indicative data from the environment (e.g. processor  1162  invoking module  1181  for actuating one or more instances of sensor module  549  to capture at least some ERI data  561  from environment  505 ). This may occur, for example, in a context in which system  710  implements system  1100  within system  500  or logic  547 , including at least such an instance of processor  1162  and module  1181 . Alternatively or additionally, one or more input devices  820  may be configured to perform operation  2211 , such as by activating one or more sensors in environment  805  in response to user  801  beginning an activity. 
     In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may be applied for configuring, triggering, or otherwise causing sensors to detect data indicative of cheating or other events in a user&#39;s environment as described herein without undue experimentation. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,237,717 (“Secure system for electronic voting”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,051,206 (“Self-authentication of value documents using digital signatures”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,999,714 (“Test administration system using the internet”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,976,269 (“Internet co-location facility security system”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,961,482 (“System for archiving electronic images of test question responses”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,615,020 (“Computer-based instructional system with student verification feature”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,381,444 (“Interactive multimedia virtual classes requiring small online network bandwidth”); and U.S. Pat. No. 5,915,973 (“System for administration of remotely-proctored, secure examinations and methods therefore”). 
     Operation  2213  describes configuring the environmental-regularity-indicative data to include at least an indication of a user wearing one or more sensors (e.g. logic  547  or system  500  invoking module  1182  for detecting whether or when user  501  is wearing an earpiece, badge, sensor module  549 , antenna, wristband, or similar item incorporating a sensor of some kind). This may occur, for example, in a context in which sensor module  549  is configured to detect one or more of a living person&#39;s body temperature, a device-detectable human heartbeat, a pressure or conductivity indication, or some similar indication that an item is in proximity to a person. Such sensor modules may incorporate a variety of existing sensors operable, for example, for detecting one or more of pressure, temperature, force, deflection, proximity, or similar physical conditions. Alternatively or additionally, a microphone, camera, or other sensor  806  may perform operation  2213  by capturing a visual, audible, or other indication that such a sensor is being worn (in item  1066 , for example), with or without such a sensor being activated. In some embodiments, for example, a similar wearable item may be used for sensing whether a person who is detained in a workplace or home is still within a facility as required. 
     Operation  2217  describes accepting an image that includes more than one kilobyte of image data from an eye of a user (e.g. extraction logic  745  invoking module  742  for generating a large-enough image by keeping one or more ocular portions  1011 ,  1012  of image data  1080 ). This may occur, for example, in a context in which such data constitutes some or all of the environmental-regularity-indicative data, and in which such an invocation causes the accepted image data to be locally accessible (e.g., located in memory  1173  or storage  1174 , in some embodiments). In some contexts, alternatively or additionally, extraction logic  745  may invoke module  744  for performing operation  2217  by extracting a one megabyte or larger image portion (portion  974  in grayscale or color format, for example, extracted from frontal image  973 ). Alternatively or additionally, two or more frames each having less than one kilobyte of ocular data may be aggregated with a sampling period of about one second or less. Although such data may currently be computationally intensive to combine effectively into higher-resolution images on a large scale, archiving such data for potential future use may permit current irregularities to be detected in the future, and may thus also provide effective current deterrence. 
     Operation  2218  describes accepting environmental-regularity-indicative data distilled so that at least 2% of image data thereof consists of ocular data (e.g. extraction logic  745  invoking module  741  for receiving such content). This may be accomplished by cropping, for example, even in a context in which a smaller fraction of pre-distillation image data is ocular data, whether or not any image recognition logic is used for verifying the content of any image data. In some variants, alternatively or additionally, receiver  1140  may perform operation  2218  by accepting such distilled environmental-regularity-indicative data from a camera or other remote source. Logic  547  may likewise perform operation  2218  internally by distilling raw image data from sensor module  549  such as by data compression or similar techniques for discarding redundant or other unwanted components. Such embodiments may be particularly useful, for example, in contexts in which linkage  555  is bandwidth-limited or in which some other resource capacity in item  510  is running low. In some variants, sensor module  549  may be configured to include a camera positioned within about 5 centimeters of a user&#39;s eye, and positioned so that image data of a higher ocular content (10% or more, for example) may be achieved with little or no processing. In some embodiments, fractions of data described herein may be expressed in terms of ratios of bits. Any such thresholds may likewise be applied to pixel counts or other areal units, however, within the scope and spirit of these teachings. 
     Operation  2252  describes configuring the distillation recording of the environmental-regularity-indicative data to include at least data arising from a first sensor distinct from data arising from a second sensor (e.g. processor  1162  invoking module  1133  for converting raw data  1143  from a sensor into distilled data  1141  and module  1135  for converting raw data  1145  from one or more other sensors into distilled data  1147 ). This may occur, for example, in a context in which processor  1162  invokes module  1138  for invoking two or more other modules  1131 - 1139  (in alternation, in succession, in parallel, or otherwise). Alternatively or additionally, extractor  571  may be configured to perform operation  2252  by invoking module  566  for including at least some of each such raw data  1143 ,  1145  in environmental-regularity-indicative data  561 . This may occur, for example, in a context in which extractor  571  may receive data from more than one sensor implemented in sensor module  549  or in which extractor  571  implements at least some of primary module  1130  as shown in  FIG. 11 . 
     Operation  2254  describes causing some of the environmental-regularity-indicative data from a testing session to be preserved responsive to a correct portion of the user-response-indicative data from the testing session (e.g. processor  1162  invoking module  1132  for preserving data  1112 - 1115  arising shortly before, after, or among one or more automatically-graded exam answers  1123 - 1124  determined by module  1136  to be correct). This may occur, for example, in a context in which a large amount of raw ERI data  1110  is initially aggregated with answers or other URI data  1120 , and in which a selection of which segments of ERI data to preserve depends partly or wholly on which roughly-contemporaneous segments of URI data were more than 70% correct. Alternatively or additionally, module  1132  may be configured to discard more than 90% of raw ERI data  1110  in response to module  1134  determining that a user has failed an exam or exam section by a margin of more than 5%. 
     Operation  2259  describes causing a remote system to preserve at least the distillation recording of the environmental-regularity-indicative data after processing a prior recording of the environmental-regularity-indicative data from the environment (e.g. processor  1162  invoking module  965  of  FIG. 9  or module  1687  of  FIG. 16  remotely for storing output  1146  resulting from one or more portions of primary module  1130  processing ERI data  1110  from one or more prior sessions). This may occur, for example, irrespective of whether the invoked module(s) are implemented locally to processor  1162 , near any part of primary module  1130 , or elsewhere. Alternatively or additionally, logic  547  may be configured to perform operation  2259 , such as by pre-processing and then transmitting the distillation to an instance of system  500  that is remote from item  510 . In some embodiments, item  510  may be shipped back after a responsive interaction, for example, for uploading the distilled responses or other result to a central instance of system  500 , optionally with the related ERI data or distillation. 
     For such applications, sensor module  549  may include a charge-coupled device (CCD), microphone, or other sensors operable for effectively extracting a user&#39;s answers as well as regularity indications. In some instances, moreover, common raw data may serve as both ERI data  561  and URI data  562 . In a context in which raw data  1144  includes one-megabyte images taken each second, for example, a suitable URI distillation recording may include a final score or just a last image of each page of the user&#39;s writing. A suitable ERI distillation recording from module  1130  may include a sampling of one or more images arbitrarily selected somewhere in a testing session, with the sample times optionally unknown to the user. 
     Operation  2312  describes accepting a first image from a first vantage in the environment and a second image from a second vantage in the environment in the environmental-regularity-indicative data (e.g. handling logic  1170  accepting at least two segments  1071 - 1073  as first and second images provided from different sensors via port  1155 ). Such images may, for example, include one or more instances of frontal images  973 ; ocular portions  1011 ,  1012  of an image as images; over-the-shoulder images  1060 ; top views; or other image data  1080  such as side views (see  FIG. 8 ) obtained from more than one vantage. Alternatively or additionally, two or more such images from different vantages may be obtained from a mobile optical sensor such as a camera phone, security camera, or the like. In some such variants, moreover, a sensor module  549  on wearable item  510  may include one or more optical sensors operable for transmitting images from various vantages. 
     Operation  2314  describes configuring the environmental-regularity-indicative data to include at least geographic-position-indicative data and other sensor data (e.g. extraction circuitry  745  invoking module  743  for including one or more location indices  731 ,  732  and other roughly contemporaneous measurement data  733  in ERI data  735  or ERI data  561 ). This may occur, for example, in a context in which a local global positioning device (GPS)  729 , a local hub, a mobile device  728 , or some other reliable device provides one or more of a city or facility name, a longitude and latitude, or similar geographical information to an instance of system  500  implementing system  700 . Alternatively or additionally, ERI data  561  may be configured to include one or more instances of sensor data  734  received from wearable items  510 ,  1066  or from stationary microphones, cameras, or other sensors  806 ,  727 . 
     Operation  2316  describes configuring the environmental-regularity-indicative data to include at least an indication of whether a user wears one or more devices (e.g. extraction logic  745  invoking at least module  965  for accepting one or more frontal or other images or auditory content  983  that may indicate a presence or absence of articles on a user&#39;s person). This may occur, for example, in a context in which access to such articles is forbidden during a session, or in which such access is restricted to certain uses. In some embodiments, for example, an examinee or other participant may be permitted to wear a calculator watch but not to use it for calculations. Alternatively or additionally, a participant upon whom faint vocal-range sounds may be heard may warrant a higher sound-sampling rate to archive such sound data, for at least some of an interactive session, optionally via a sensor of earpiece  543 . (Later scrutiny of audio or image data may show that such sounds were produced by a hearing aid, for example, or by unauthorized communications with an accomplice.) In another context, image data may be used to verify whether a user&#39;s goggles or other then-required items stayed on throughout a session. 
     Operation  2353  describes distilling a first fraction &gt;X of the environmental-regularity-indicative data from a first portion of an image and a second fraction &lt;X of the environmental-regularity-indicative data from a second portion of the image for one or more values of X (e.g. processor  1162  invoking module  1139  for retaining more than 10% of ocular data and less than 5% of auditory data). This may occur, for example, in a context in which X is any value in the range of 0.05 to 0.10. Alternatively or additionally, processor  1162  may invoke module  1137  for retaining periodic samples at a higher rate for a first data feed and at a lower rate for a second data feed. 
     In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may be applied for preferentially retaining or otherwise processing digital or other data in a manner tending to provide a useful sampling, indexing, summary, or other effectively distilled environmental indicator as described herein without undue experimentation. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,203,620 (“Summarization of video content”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,167,853 (“Matching and compensation tests for optimizing correlated subqueries within query using automatic summary tables”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,970,462 (“Method for high speed packet classification”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,956,904 (“Summarizing videos using motion activity descriptors correlated with audio features”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,941,513 (“System and method for text structuring and text generation”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,816,884 (“System and method for creating conversationally-styled summaries from digesting email messages”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,662,180 (“Method for searching in large databases of automatically recognized text”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,571,020 (“Introducing reduced dataset information into a primary image dataset”); and U.S. Pat. No. 6,385,604 (“Relational database management system having integrated non-relational multi-dimensional data store of aggregated data elements”). 
     Operation  2355  describes causing an association between timing data and auditory data of some of the environmental-regularity-indicative data to be preserved (e.g. processor  1162  invoking timing logic  1190  for retaining segment boundary markers or other periodic timing indicators in audio data  971 ). This may occur, for example, in a context in which one or more parts of primary module  1130  perform operation  650  jointly with timing logic  1190 . Alternatively or additionally, such an association may be preserved by mapping answer timing data or other data from audible phenomena to a corresponding position in the audio clip. (In other embodiments, auditory samples may be taken at arbitrary intervals or other asynchronous events and preserved without any associated timing data.) 
     Operation  2358  describes extracting one or more non-ocular portions of image data from the environmental-regularity-indicative data from the environment (e.g. processor  1162  invoking module  1152  for systematically preserving one or more instances of non-ocular portions  1014  and/or discarding other non-ocular portion  1015  of image data  1080 ). This may occur, for example, in a context in which local irregularities portions in image data  1080  (indicative of writing, for example, or other questionable material  1063  in an environment) may warrant preserving higher resolution. Alternatively or additionally, processor  1162  may invoke filter module  1151  for discarding or consolidating solid portions of images (e.g. those having no intensity gradients larger than 5% per pixel). 
     Operation  2444  describes accepting information about the one or more positions at a message supplementation system (e.g. input processing module  1210  invoking module  1212  for establishing one or more instances of segment numbers or other position identifiers  1281 ,  1282  in response to input  1202  from an editor, composer, or other user). This may occur, for example, in a context in which more than one user may each provide one or more pointers or other segment access objects  1222 ,  1232  to supplement a respective location  1221 ,  1231  in the playable message(s). Alternatively or additionally, input processing module  1210  may perform operation  2444  by receiving deletion markers, content highlighting, or other information  1206  about one or more positions in message  795  (identified by one or more fields  1243 , for example). 
     Operation  2447  describes obtaining a relationship at least between the one or more positions and one or more past event dates (e.g. database manager  1280  invoking module  1289  for configuring record  1240  to indicate one or more instances of session dates  1242  and/or positions  1243  within message  1090  or other content  1095 ). This may occur, for example, in a context in which some or all of record  1240  is received as or within a common message  1205 . Alternatively or additionally, input processing module  1210  may perform operation  2447  by invoking module  1211  for configuring one or more fields  1241 - 1244  of record  1240  in response to user input  1203 . 
     Operation  2449  describes obtaining one or more user identifiers in the indication of the playback system configuration (e.g. coordination module  1340  receiving one or more identifiers  1344  in association with one or more attributes  1381  of configuration  1321 ). This may occur, for example, in a context in which an implementation of such attributes requires that an identified requester be authorized and/or in which such user tracking is desirable for accountability in a multi-user environment. Alternatively or additionally, administration module  1320  may invoke module  1321  for permitting some users to perform functions including such configuration changes. 
     Operation  2462  describes interleaving one or more supplemental content segments between a first message portion and a second message portion of the playable message (e.g. processor  1472  invoking module  142 B configured to insert one or more data segments  1073  or other items between portion  1091  and portion  1094  of message  1090 ). This may occur, for example, in a context in which message  1090  constitutes a very popular or otherwise excellent presentation of which a directly preceding portion  1091 , a portion  1092  that may be superseded, or a succeeding portion  1094  has become outdated or otherwise problematic. In some instances, various contributors may provide a succession of competing or other respective versions of inserted segments, of proposed deletions, or even of other sequence changes. In some embodiments, a playback system configuration may specify that such situations be addressed according to one or more selectable protocols  1481 ,  1482 . A default protocol may stop a message presentation after presenting portion  1091 , for example, and offer a recipient a choice between two or more options each described by its respective option attributes. Another protocol may cause the playback system always to choose the shortest, longest, or newest of the available supplementation options, for example, avoiding the need to stop the presentation. Another protocol may cause the playback system always to choose one of the options (according to an arbitrary or preliminary protocol, for example) and simultaneously to indicate that another supplementation option is available (on a display screen, for example) for selection by a user. 
     Operation  2463  describes causing one or more systems to be configured using at least the playback system configuration (e.g. module  1311  configuring playback system  1370  and/or a playback module of system  750  according to profile  1333 ). This may occur, for example, in a context in which playback system  1370  (implemented as system  710 , for example) comprises a computer, telephone, or other general-purpose device in which one or more playback features are implemented via special-purpose software. Alternatively or additionally, system  1310  may be configured to install or otherwise select one or more such features in response to a user buying a membership, a performance, a license, a subscription, or some other item featuring access to the playable message. 
     Operation  2467  describes receiving one or more content types of one or more supplemental content segments (e.g. database manager  1280  invoking module  1291  for accepting one or more categories  1260  in relation to at least content segment  765 ). This may occur, for example, in a context in which such categories  1260  identify one or more instances of lengths  1261 , ratings  1262 , recommends  1263 , providers  1264 , subjects  1265 , languages  1267 , levels  1268 , or other type descriptors of each such supplemental content segment in its context. Alternatively or additionally, evaluation logic  1280  may be provided for evaluating size  1298  or other such information relating to some such segments. In some embodiments. 
     Operation  2468  describes accepting the decision from a user (e.g. processor  1472  invoking module  1446  for accepting the decision  1463  of which supplemental content  1441 ,  1443  to use embodied in one or more user preference expressions  1467 ). This may occur, for example, in a context in which system  740  implements system  1400 , in which module  1446  causes one or more users to be queried in response to encountering more than one option (in selecting supplemental content  1443  or content  1441 , for example) available for use at one or more positions in message  795 . Alternatively or additionally, protocol implementation logic  1480  as described herein may be configured to implement such decisions more broadly, optionally circumventing any need for such user decisions in some or all subsequent circumstances. 
     Operation  2543  describes causing a presentation to exclude a portion of the playable message at least in response to the indication of the playback system configuration (e.g. configuration module  1270  invoking module  1274  for queuing or otherwise triggering a presentation of message  1090  at system  730  without portion  1092  in response to one or more putative attributes of system  730 ). This may occur in a context in which hub  790  or some other system provides such attributes, for example, at an initial configuration, at regular or arbitrary intervals, just before the presentation, while a preceding portion  1091  of message  1090  is being transmitted or presented, or at other times as described herein. Alternatively or additionally, such a playback system configuration  1277  may combine one or more group-specific attributes  1272  with at least a system-specific attribute  1271 , each of which may affect a composite filter  1273  to be applied to one or more successive message portions  1094  under consideration. 
     Operation  2546  describes obtaining an association between the playback system configuration and one or more specific systems (e.g. administration module  1320  invoking module  1322  for implementing a selection from a set of profiles  1331 - 1333  adoptable by playback system  1370  or other systems having playback functionality). This may occur, for example, in a context in which one such profile  1332  is a default assigned to all systems in a group until some other profile  1331 ,  1333  is specified for a given system. Alternatively or additionally, module  1322  may be implemented to perform operation  2546  by assigning one or more default parameters or profiles  1333  in response to one or more attributes  139 X of each playback system added to a group. In some contexts, this may enable any playback system in which a user identifies a group affiliation, for example, to play back content according to one or more attributes defined for that group. 
     Operation  2548  describes causing the playback system to receive at least a portion of the playable message responsive to the playback system configuration (e.g. filter  1284  invoking module  1288  for forwarding or marking portion  1093  of message  1090  for use by system  710  in response to portion  1093  passing one or more criteria  1283  used for system  710 ). This may occur, for example, in a context in which a content source or hub  790  includes at least an instance of filter  1284  configured to check content in this manner on behalf of system  710 . Alternatively or additionally, some or all portions  1093  of another message  795  may not be routed to system  710  in response to failing the one or more criteria  1283 . See operation  2543  as described above, for example. In some embodiments, such criteria may require or forbid the message to include one or more instances of markings or audience-specific subject matter, for example. Alternatively or additionally, the one or more criteria  1283  may require or otherwise favor specific formats, sizes, authorships, or other such considerations, any of which may be taken into account in light of teachings herein. 
     Operation  2565  describes accessing at least some information about a first content segment from a first system and some information about a second content segment from a second system (e.g. processor  1472  invoking module  1449  for configuring presentation sequence  1490  to include respective pointers  1491 ,  1492  to or samples  1493 ,  1494  from one or more segments  725  resident at system  720  and one or more segments  765  resident in system  760 ). This may occur, for example, in a context in which some such content need not always be retrieved upon signaling. Efficiencies may be gained in such configurations if such data retrieval may be performed in a background or batch mode, for example. Alternatively or additionally, module  1449  may perform operation  2565  by controlling the flow of selected supplemental content during the presentation(s) of the playable message(s). Alternatively or additionally, in some contexts, module  1449  may be configured to access pointers, samples, or other information relating to such segments  725 ,  765  (from system  720  or hub  790 , for example). Such information may be useful, for example, in ranking or otherwise evaluating such segments before obtaining them as described herein. 
     Operation  2567  describes applying one or more content selection criteria to an inventory of available content in selecting one or more supplemental content segments (e.g. processor  1472  invoking module  1447  for selecting a message segment or other supplemental content as “acceptable” or “best” within inventory  1450  or other available inventories using one or more ranking criteria  1422  that pertain to one or more specific playback systems). This may occur, for example, in a context in which more than one item  1451 ,  1453  of supplemental content are related to subject matter identified within or near the one or more positions of a message  795  to be supplemented and in which the ranking criteria  1422  arise from a history  1465  of a specific user&#39;s behaviors, explicit choices  1468 , and/or other manifestations  1460  of preferences as described herein. Alternatively or additionally, module  1448  may perform operation  2567  on behalf of a human or automatic content aggregator in identifying suitable content to supplement message  795 . In some embodiments, for example, module  1448  may comprise a composition assistant able to search a library for content that is topically related to a message component or other content in playback automatically, which may help a recipient/composer to sift content effectively enough to identify inventory that is suitable for use as supplemental content. 
     Operation  2569  describes configuring one or more content selection criteria using at least some of the playback system configuration (e.g. module  1312  activating one or more content filters  1343 ,  1353  each specified by a respective attribute  1381 ,  1382  of configuration  1380 ). This may occur, for example, in a context in which a default or other selection was made earlier in response to respective information  1342 ,  1352  about such content filters. Alternatively or additionally, one or more such content filters  1353  may permit one or more instances of superseding inclusion criteria  1341  or exclusion criteria  1351  to be specified by a system administrator or other user. In some embodiments, such criteria  1341 ,  1351  may specify and govern which providers&#39; content will be accepted, the size or other resource allocation associated with the supplemental content, existing permissions to use the content, or other criteria as described herein. 
     In a general sense, those skilled in the art will recognize that the various aspects described herein which can be implemented, individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof can be viewed as being composed of various types of “electrical circuitry.” Consequently, as used herein “electrical circuitry” includes, but is not limited to, electrical circuitry having at least one discrete electrical circuit, electrical circuitry having at least one integrated circuit, electrical circuitry having at least one application specific integrated circuit, electrical circuitry forming a general purpose computing device configured by a computer program (e.g., a general purpose computer configured by a computer program which at least partially carries out processes and/or devices described herein, or a microprocessor configured by a computer program which at least partially carries out processes and/or devices described herein), electrical circuitry forming a memory device (e.g., forms of random access memory), and/or electrical circuitry forming a communications device (e.g., a modem, communications switch, or optical-electrical equipment). Those having skill in the art will recognize that the subject matter described herein may be implemented in an analog or digital fashion or some combination thereof. 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize that it is common within the art to describe devices and/or processes in the fashion set forth herein, and thereafter use engineering practices to integrate such described devices and/or processes into image processing systems. That is, at least a portion of the devices and/or processes described herein can be integrated into an image processing system via a reasonable amount of experimentation. Those having skill in the art will recognize that a typical image processing system generally includes one or more of a system unit housing, a video display device, a memory such as volatile and non-volatile memory, processors such as microprocessors and digital signal processors, computational entities such as operating systems, drivers, and applications programs, one or more interaction devices, such as a touch pad or screen, control systems including feedback loops and control motors (e.g., feedback for sensing lens position and/or velocity; control motors for moving/distorting lenses to give desired focuses. A typical image processing system may be implemented utilizing any suitable commercially available components, such as those typically found in digital still systems and/or digital motion systems. 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize that it is common within the art to describe devices and/or processes in the fashion set forth herein, and thereafter use engineering practices to integrate such described devices and/or processes into data processing systems. That is, at least a portion of the devices and/or processes described herein can be integrated into a data processing system via a reasonable amount of experimentation. Those having skill in the art will recognize that a typical data processing system generally includes one or more of a system unit housing, a video display device, a memory such as volatile and non-volatile memory, processors such as microprocessors and digital signal processors, computational entities such as operating systems, drivers, graphical user interfaces, and applications programs, one or more interaction devices, such as a touch pad or screen, and/or control systems including feedback loops and control motors (e.g., feedback for sensing position and/or velocity; control motors for moving and/or adjusting components and/or quantities). A typical data processing system may be implemented utilizing any suitable commercially available components, such as those typically found in data computing/communication and/or network computing/communication systems. 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize that it is common within the art to implement devices and/or processes and/or systems in the fashion(s) set forth herein, and thereafter use engineering and/or business practices to integrate such implemented devices and/or processes and/or systems into more comprehensive devices and/or processes and/or systems. That is, at least a portion of the devices and/or processes and/or systems described herein can be integrated into other devices and/or processes and/or systems via a reasonable amount of experimentation. Those having skill in the art will recognize that examples of such other devices and/or processes and/or systems might include—as appropriate to context and application—all or part of devices and/or processes and/or systems of (a) an air conveyance (e.g., an airplane, rocket, hovercraft, helicopter, etc.), (b) a ground conveyance (e.g., a car, truck, locomotive, tank, armored personnel carrier, etc.), (c) a building (e.g., a home, warehouse, office, etc.), (d) an appliance (e.g., a refrigerator, a washing machine, a dryer, etc.), (e) a communications system (e.g., a networked system, a telephone system, a Voice over IP system, etc.), (f) a business entity (e.g., an Internet Service Provider (ISP) entity such as Comcast Cable, Quest, Southwestern Bell, etc), or (g) a wired/wireless services entity such as Sprint, Cingular, Nextel, etc.), etc. 
     One skilled in the art will recognize that the herein described components (e.g., steps), devices, and objects and the discussion accompanying them are used as examples for the sake of conceptual clarity and that various configuration modifications are within the skill of those in the art. Consequently, as used herein, the specific exemplars set forth and the accompanying discussion are intended to be representative of their more general classes. In general, use of any specific exemplar herein is also intended to be representative of its class, and the non-inclusion of such specific components (e.g., steps), devices, and objects herein should not be taken as indicating that limitation is desired. 
     Although users  191 ,  501 ,  701 ,  801  are shown/described herein each as a single illustrated figure, those skilled in the art will appreciate that such users may be representative of a human user, a robotic user (e.g., computational entity), and/or substantially any combination thereof (e.g., a user may be assisted by one or more robotic agents). In addition, each such user, as set forth herein, although shown as a single entity may in fact be composed of two or more entities. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, in general, the same may be said of “sender” and/or other entity-oriented terms as such terms are used herein. 
     With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations are not expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity. 
     The herein described subject matter sometimes illustrates different components contained within, or connected with, different other components. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures are merely exemplary, and that in fact many other architectures can be implemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively “associated” such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as “associated with” each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being “operably connected”, or “operably coupled”, to each other to achieve the desired functionality, and any two components capable of being so associated can also be viewed as being “operably couplable”, to each other to achieve the desired functionality. Specific examples of operably couplable include but are not limited to physically mateable and/or physically interacting components and/or wirelessly interactable and/or wirelessly interacting components and/or logically interacting and/or logically interactable components. 
     While particular aspects of the present subject matter described herein have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may be made without departing from the subject matter described herein and its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention is defined by the appended claims. It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.” 
     With respect to the appended claims, those skilled in the art will appreciate that recited operations therein may generally be performed in any order. Examples of such alternate orderings may include overlapping, interleaved, interrupted, reordered, incremental, preparatory, supplemental, simultaneous, reverse, or other variant orderings, unless context dictates otherwise. With respect to context, even terms like “responsive to,” “related to,” or other past-tense adjectives are generally not intended to exclude such variants, unless context dictates otherwise. 
     While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.