Patent Publication Number: US-10785521-B2

Title: Apparatus and method for displaying content

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/867,163, filed Sep. 28, 2015, by Jason Savard et al., which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/498,196, filed Sep. 26, 2014, by Jason Savard, et al., now U.S. Pat. No. 9,179,187, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/557,160, filed Sep. 10, 2009, by Jason Savard et al., now U.S. Pat. No. 8,875,179. The contents of each of the foregoing are hereby incorporated by reference into this application as if set forth herein in full. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates generally to media content and displaying media content and more specifically to an apparatus and method for displaying content. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The Internet, local area networks, and other networks provide users with a means for experiencing and sharing various types of media content. The media content can often include audio content, video content, text content, still image content, and/or combinations thereof. Media content providing sources can include Internet Protocol Television (IPTV), cable TV, and satellite TV. Additionally, media content can be generated locally at a user&#39;s home through devices such as video/audio players, personal computers, video conferencing equipment, cameras, and other devices. In order to access and experience the content, users typically have to utilize the device and/or application that generated the content. However, users often seek to integrate content generated by various devices and/or applications so as to make the content readily accessible. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1-2  depict illustrative embodiments of communication systems that provide media services; 
         FIG. 3  depicts an illustrative embodiment of a portal interacting with the communication systems of  FIGS. 1-2 ; 
         FIG. 4  depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device utilized in the communication systems of  FIGS. 1-2 ; 
         FIG. 5  depicts an illustrative embodiment of a system for displaying content, which can operate in portions of the communications systems of  FIGS. 1-2 ; 
         FIG. 6  depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method operating in portions of the communication systems of  FIGS. 1-2 and 5 ; and 
         FIG. 7  is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of a computer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     One embodiment of the present disclosure can entail a set-top-box (STB) having a controller to join a multicast group having an associated multicast address, wherein the multicast address is associated with a first content type of a plurality of content types, access encoded content associated with the first content type from the multicast address, wherein the encoded content is transmitted by at least one source associated with the multicast group to the multicast address, decode the accessed encoded content, and display the decoded content on a channel mapped to the multicast address. 
     Another embodiment of the present disclosure can entail a method including receiving a request for content from at least one computing device in a multicast group, wherein the content has an associated content type, encoding the requested content, and transmitting the encoded content to a multicast address associated with the content type and the multicast group, wherein the encoded content is obtained by the at least one computing device by accessing the multicast address, wherein the encoded content is decoded by the at least one computing device, and wherein the decoded content is displayed on a channel mapped to the multicast address. 
     Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure can entail a computer-readable storage medium having computer instructions to connect a computing device and a source device to a multicast group, wherein the multicast group has an associated multicast address, and wherein the multicast address is associated with a content type, receive a request for content from the at least one computing device, wherein the content is of the content type, and transmit the request to the at least one source device, wherein the at least one source device transmits the content to the multicast address in response to the request, wherein the computing device accesses the content from the multicast address, and wherein the computing device displays the content on a channel mapped to the multicast address. 
       FIG. 1  depicts an illustrative embodiment of a first communication system  100  for delivering media content. The communication system  100  can represent an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) broadcast media system. The IPTV media system can include a super head-end office (SHO)  110  with at least one super headend office server (SHS)  111  which receives media content from satellite and/or terrestrial communication systems. In the present context, media content can represent audio content, moving image content such as videos, still image content, or combinations thereof. The SHS server  111  can forward packets associated with the media content to video head-end servers (VHS)  114  via a network of video head-end offices (VHO)  112  according to a common multicast communication protocol. 
     The VHS  114  can distribute multimedia broadcast programs via an access network  118  to commercial and/or residential buildings  102  housing a gateway  104  (such as a common residential or commercial gateway). The access network  118  can represent a group of digital subscriber line access multiplexers (DSLAMs) located in a central office or a service area interface that provide broadband services over optical links or copper twisted pairs  119  to buildings  102 . The gateway  104  can use common communication technology to distribute broadcast signals to media processors  106  such as Set-Top Boxes (STBs) which in turn present broadcast channels to media devices  108  such as computers or television sets managed in some instances by a media controller  107  (such as an infrared or RF remote control). 
     The gateway  104 , the media processors  106 , and media devices  108  can utilize tethered interface technologies (such as coaxial or phone line wiring) or can operate over a common wireless access protocol. With these interfaces, unicast communications can be invoked between the media processors  106  and subsystems of the IPTV media system for services such as video-on-demand (VoD), browsing an electronic programming guide (EPG), or other infrastructure services. 
     Some of the network elements of the IPTV media system can be coupled to one or more computing devices  130  a portion of which can operate as a web server for providing portal services over an Internet Service Provider (ISP) network  132  to wireline media devices  108  or wireless communication devices  116  by way of a wireless access base station  117  operating according to common wireless access protocols such as Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), or cellular communication technologies (such as GSM, CDMA, UMTS, WiMAX, Software Defined Radio or SDR, and so on). 
     The first communication system  100  can also include a security camera  135 . The security camera  135  can be operably coupled to at least one of the STBs  106 , the gateway  104 , and/or other devices in the system  100 . Notably, the security camera  135  can be utilized to capture and generate media content and transmit the media content to the gateway  104 , the STBs  106 , or to other devices in system  100 . The media content can include audio content, video content, still image content, and/or combinations thereof. The security camera  135  can be configured to capture content continuously or at predetermined times. Any captured media content can be transmitted to the gateway  104  and/or the STBs  106  in real-time or based on a schedule. 
     Additionally, the communication system  100  can also include video conferencing equipment  137 , which can also be operably coupled to the STBs  106 , the gateway  104 , and/or other devices in the system  100 . The video conferencing equipment  137  can also capture and generate media content, such as speech and video during a video conference. Once the media content is generated, the content can be transmitted to and/or accessed by the gateway  104 , the STBs  106 , or to other devices in system  100 . Notably, the security camera  135  and the video conferencing equipment  137  can operate in a local area network, along with other devices in the system  100 . The local area network, for example, can be a private network, which can include the devices within the residential building  102  and can be a network separate from the other networks in the system  100 . 
     Another distinct portion of the computing devices  130  can function as a server (herein referred to as server  130 ). The server  130  can use common computing and communication technology to perform the function of distributing media content and/or other types of content to various devices in the system  100 . Notably, the server  130  can be operably coupled to the gateway  104  either directly or indirectly, such as through access network  118 . Additionally, the server  130  can be configured to access and/or receive content from a local area network containing the security camera  135  and the video conferencing equipment  137  via gateway  104 . Other devices can access the content from the server  130  if they are authorized to do so. 
     It will be appreciated by an artisan of ordinary skill in the art that a satellite broadcast television system can be used in place of the IPTV media system. In this embodiment, signals transmitted by a satellite  115  supplying media content can be intercepted by a common satellite dish receiver  131  coupled to the building  102 . Modulated signals intercepted by the satellite dish receiver  131  can be submitted to the media processors  106  for generating broadcast channels which can be presented at the media devices  108 . The media processors  106  can be equipped with a broadband port to the ISP network  132  to enable infrastructure services such as VoD and EPG described above. 
     In yet another embodiment, an analog or digital broadcast distribution system such as cable TV system  133  can be used in place of the IPTV media system described above. In this embodiment the cable TV system  133  can provide Internet, telephony, and interactive media services. 
     It follows from the above illustrations that the present disclosure can apply to any present or future interactive over-the-air or landline media content services. 
       FIG. 2  depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system  200  employing an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network architecture to facilitate the combined services of circuit-switched and packet-switched systems. Communication system  200  can be overlaid or operably coupled with communication system  100  as another representative embodiment of communication system  100 . 
     Communication system  200  can comprise a Home Subscriber Server (HSS)  240 , a tElephone NUmber Mapping (ENUM) server  230 , and other common network elements of an IMS network  250 . The IMS network  250  can establish communications between IMS compliant communication devices (CD)  201 ,  202 , Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) CDs  203 ,  205 , and combinations thereof by way of a Media Gateway Control Function (MGCF)  220  coupled to a PSTN network  260 . 
     IMS CDs  201 ,  202  can register with the IMS network  250  by contacting a Proxy Call Session Control Function (P-CSCF) which communicates with a corresponding Serving CSCF (S-CSCF) to register the CDs with at the HSS  240 . To initiate a communication session between CDs, an originating IMS CD  201  can submit a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP INVITE) message to an originating P-CSCF  204  which communicates with a corresponding originating S-CSCF  206 . The originating S-CSCF  206  can submit queries to the ENUM system  230  to translate an E.164 telephone number in the SIP INVITE to a SIP Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) if the terminating communication device is IMS compliant. 
     The SIP URI can be used by an Interrogating CSCF (I-CSCF)  207  to submit a query to the HSS  240  to identify a terminating S-CSCF  214  associated with a terminating IMS CD such as reference  202 . Once identified, the I-CSCF  207  can submit the SIP INVITE to the terminating S-CSCF  214 . The terminating S-CSCF  214  can then identify a terminating P-CSCF  216  associated with the terminating CD  202 . The P-CSCF  216  then signals the CD  202  to establish communications. 
     If the terminating communication device is instead a PSTN CD such as references  203  or  205 , the ENUM system  230  can respond with an unsuccessful address resolution which can cause the originating S-CSCF  206  to forward the call to the MGCF  220  via a Breakout Gateway Control Function (BGCF)  219 . The MGCF  220  can then initiate the call to the terminating PSTN CD by common means over the PSTN network  260 . 
     The aforementioned communication process is symmetrical. Accordingly, the terms “originating” and “terminating” in  FIG. 2  are interchangeable. It is further noted that communication system  200  can be adapted to support video conferencing by way of common protocols such as H.323. In addition, communication system  200  can be adapted to provide the IMS CDs  201 ,  203  the multimedia and Internet services of communication system  100 . 
     The servers  130  of  FIG. 1  can be operably coupled to the second communication system  200  for purposes similar to those described above. 
       FIG. 3  depicts an illustrative embodiment of a portal  302  which can operate from the computing devices  130  described earlier of communication  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The portal  302  can be used for managing services of communication systems  100 - 200 . The portal  302  can be accessed by a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) with a common Internet browser such as Microsoft&#39;s Internet Explorer™ using an Internet-capable communication device such as those described for  FIGS. 1-2 . The portal  302  can be configured, for example, to access a media processor  106  and services managed thereby such as a Digital Video Recorder (DVR), a VoD catalog, an EPG, a personal catalog (such as personal videos, pictures, audio recordings, etc.) stored in the media processor, provisioning IMS services described earlier, provisioning Internet services, provisioning cellular phone services, and so on. 
       FIG. 4  depicts an exemplary embodiment of a communication device  400 . Communication device  400  can serve in whole or in part as an illustrative embodiment of the communication devices of  FIGS. 1-2 . The communication device  400  can comprise a wireline and/or wireless transceiver  402  (herein transceiver  402 ), a user interface (UI)  404 , a power supply  414 , a location receiver  416 , and a controller  406  for managing operations thereof. The transceiver  402  can support short-range or long-range wireless access technologies such as Bluetooth, WiFi, Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT), or cellular communication technologies, just to mention a few. Cellular technologies can include, for example, CDMA-1×, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO, WiMAX, SDR, and next generation cellular wireless communication technologies as they arise. The transceiver  402  can also be adapted to support circuit-switched wireline access technologies (such as PSTN), packet-switched wireline access technologies (such as TCPIP, VoIP, etc.), and combinations thereof. 
     The UI  404  can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad  408  with a navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, joystick, mouse, or navigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device  400 . The keypad  408  can be an integral part of a housing assembly of the communication device  400  or an independent device operably coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or a wireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth. The keypad  408  can represent a numeric dialing keypad commonly used by phones, and/or a Qwerty keypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI  404  can further include a display  410  such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technology for conveying images to an end user of the communication device  400 . In an embodiment where the display  410  is touch-sensitive, a portion or all of the keypad  408  can be presented by way of the display. 
     The UI  404  can also include an audio system  412  that utilizes common audio technology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heard only in the proximity of a human ear) and high volume audio (such as speakerphone for hands free operation). The audio system  412  can further include a microphone for receiving audible signals of an end user. The audio system  412  can also be used for voice recognition applications. The UI  404  can further include an image sensor  413  such as a charged coupled device (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images. 
     The power supply  414  can utilize common power management technologies such as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulation technologies, and charging system technologies for supplying energy to the components of the communication device  400  to facilitate long-range or short-range portable applications. The location receiver  416  can utilize common location technology such as a global positioning system (GPS) receiver for identifying a location of the communication device  400  based on signals generated by a constellation of GPS satellites, thereby facilitating common location services such as navigation. 
     The communication device  400  can use the transceiver  402  to also determine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi or Bluetooth access point by common power sensing techniques such as utilizing a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) and/or a signal time of arrival (TOA) or time of flight (TOF). The controller  406  can utilize computing technologies such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and/or a video processor with associated storage memory such a Flash, ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies. 
     The communication device  400  can be adapted to perform the functions of the media processor  106 , the media devices  108 , or the portable communication devices  116  of  FIG. 1 , as well as the IMS CDs  201 - 202  and PSTN CDs  203 - 205  of  FIG. 2 . It will be appreciated that the communication device  400  can also represent other common devices that can operate in communication systems  100 - 200  of  FIGS. 1-2  such as a gaming console and a media player. 
       FIG. 5  depicts an illustrative embodiment of a system  500  for displaying content, the system operable in portions of the communication systems of  FIGS. 1-2 . The system  500  can include a STB  502 , which can be operably coupled to a display device  504 . The display device  504  can be a monitor, television, or other similar device. Additionally, the system  500  can include a gateway/router  506 , which can be configured to serve as an interface between the STB  502  and the other devices in the system  500 . Notably, the gateway  506  can also be configured to receive signaling information from the various devices in the system  500 . The system  500  can further include video conferencing equipment  508 , which can be operably coupled to gateway  506  and can be configured to broadcast multicast video, audio, or other content to a multicast address. 
     In addition, the system  500  can include surveillance/security cameras  510 , which like the video conferencing equipment  408 , can be operably coupled to the gateway  506  and can be configured to broadcast multicast video, audio, or other content to a multicast address. System  500  can further include a Digital Video Disc (DVD) player  512 , which can include an adapter  514 . The adapter  514  can be configured to convert analog media content to multicast media content. Once, converted that multicast media content can be transmitted by the adapter  514  to a multicast address. The DVD player  512  can also be operably coupled to a display device  516 . The aforementioned devices can be configured to be operate in a local area network and can be configured to be able to communicatively link to an iTV network. Of course, other devices, such as personal computers, video cameras, and other music and video devices can be incorporated into the system  500 . 
     Notably, a set of multicast addresses can be defined and assigned based on the type of media traffic associated with a particular application or device. For example, traffic/content associated with the video conferencing equipment  508  can be assigned multicast address 239.x.x.1, traffic associated with the security cameras  510  can be assigned multicast address 239.x.x.2, and traffic associated with the DVD player  512  can be assigned 239.x.x.3. As an example, the video conferencing equipment can broadcast multicast video and/or audio content over multicast address 239.x.x1. As new types of traffic are added, multicast addresses can be reserved for each new type. 
     The content generated by the devices of system  500  can be integrated into an IPTV service so as to allow content generated by the devices to be displayed on any television/monitor in a user&#39;s home. For example, content generated by the security camera  510  can be transmitted to multicast address 239.x.x.2 and the multicast address can be mapped to a channel, such as channel  9902 . A user can then view the content from the security camera on a display device, such as display device  504  via channel  9902 . 
       FIG. 6  depicts an illustrative method  600  that operates in portions of the communication systems of  FIGS. 1-2  and  FIG. 5 . The method  600  can involve integrating locally generated content that is on a user&#39;s local area network into an IPTV service so as to enable the user or others to access the content on a media device. Method  600  can begin with step  602  in which an STB, such as STB  502 , or other media device can transmit a request to join a multicast group to a network element, such as gateway  506 , server, or other similar device. The multicast group can have an associated multicast address, which can be associated with a content type. The content type can include video conferencing content, security camera content, video content, internet content, music content, image content, and/or data content. An iTV provider can set aside a block of 128 multicast addresses, each of which can be associated with a certain type of traffic. For example, as noted above, video conferencing traffic/content can be assigned multicast address 239.x.x.1. At step  604 , network element can join the STB  502  to the multicast group so that the STB  502  can access locally generated content. Notably, the gateway can determine that multicast address associated with the multicast group is for home use based on the address and, in doing so, can join the multicast group locally rather than sending the request to another outside network. 
     The network element/gateway can communicatively link the STB  502  to a source device at step  606 . A source device can be a device which generates and/or provides content such as video conferencing equipment  508 , security camera  510 , and DVD player  512 . The content can be one of video conferencing content, security camera content, video content, internet content, music content, image content, and/or data content. The source device can also be configured to join the multicast group. The devices that are a part of the multicast group can be part of a local area network and any content generated by devices in the group can be restricted to the group. Once the STB  502  is communicatively linked to the source device, it can be determined if the content is multicast content in step  608 . If the content is not multicast content, the source device or an adapter  514  communicatively linked to the source device can convert the content into multicast content at step  610 . For example, if the content is in an analog form, the adapter  514  can convert the analog content into multicast content and transmit the content over the associated multicast address. 
     At step  612 , the STB  502  can access the content generated by the source device from the multicast address associated with the content type. Once the content is accessed by the STB  502 , the STB  502  can determine if the content was encoded by the source device or by another device at step  614 . If the content is encoded, the STB  502  can decode the encoded content at step  616 . Once the content is decoded or in the case where the content was not encoded in the first place, the STB  502  can then display the content on a channel mapped to the multicast address at step  618 . 
     For example, if the content type was video conferencing content, the defined multicast address for multicast content could be 239.x.x.1. The multicast address could be mapped to a particular television channel, such as channel  9901 . The STB  502  can access the content from the video conference equipment via the multicast address and can display the content on channel  9901 . Similarly, other types of content associated with other multicast addresses can be mapped to other channels. Security camera content can be displayed on channel  9902  and DVD content could be displayed on channel  9903  for instance. 
     By allowing the STB  502  to access locally generated content via a multicast address, the STB  502  can display the content on any television or other media device in the user&#39;s home. In an embodiment, a user can access the channel by directly changing the channel, such as through a remote control. Using the above example, if the user would like to access video conferencing content, the user can simply use the remote control to switch the channel to  9901 . Once the user switches the channel, the user can watch the video conferencing content on the television of his or choosing. In another example, DVD player  512  can in essence be converted into a network DVD player. The DVD player  512  can transmit content associated with a DVD movie to the associated multicast address and now the content can be played on a channel mapped to multicast address on any television in the house since STB  502  can access the content. 
     Upon reviewing the aforementioned embodiments, it would be evident to an artisan with ordinary skill in the art that said embodiments can be modified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope and spirit of the claims described below. For example, in one embodiment, the user can utilize an application menu associated with the STB  502  to select which type of content the user wants view. If the user wanted to view the security camera content, the user can select a security camera icon on the menu to launch the multicast channel associated with the security camera content. Of course, the user can also select the channel directly from the menu as well. In another embodiment, if the application requires the display of content on one of the local multicast channels, the STB  502  can initiate a force tune to automatically go to the multicast channel. 
     In one embodiment, devices outside the local area network of the user can be configured to access the multicast channel if authorized to do so. For example, if one user has a local network with multicast channels and the user would like someone else to be able to watch his home without having to be at the user&#39;s home, the other person can be granted access to the multicast channel, such as by authenticating into the user&#39;s network or through other authorized means. 
     Other suitable modifications can be applied to the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the claims below. Accordingly, the reader is directed to the claims section for a fuller understanding of the breadth and scope of the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 7  depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of a computer system  700  within which a set of instructions, when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed above. In some embodiments, the machine operates as a standalone device. In some embodiments, the machine may be connected (e.g., using a network) to other machines. In a networked deployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or a client user machine in server-client user network environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. 
     The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will be understood that a device of the present disclosure includes broadly any electronic device that provides voice, video or data communication. Further, while a single machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shall also be taken to include any collection of machines that individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein. 
     The computer system  700  may include a processor  702  (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU, or both), a main memory  704  and a static memory  706 , which communicate with each other via a bus  708 . The computer system  700  may further include a video display unit  710  (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a flat panel, a solid state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). The computer system  700  may include an input device  712  (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor control device  714  (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit  716 , a signal generation device  718  (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and a network interface device  720 . 
     The disk drive unit  716  may include a machine-readable medium  722  on which is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g., software  724 ) embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions described herein, including those methods illustrated above. The instructions  724  may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory  704 , the static memory  706 , and/or within the processor  702  during execution thereof by the computer system  700 . The main memory  704  and the processor  702  also may constitute machine-readable media. 
     Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to, application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays and other hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement the methods described herein. Applications that may include the apparatus and systems of various embodiments broadly include a variety of electronic and computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions in two or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and data signals communicated between and through the modules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Thus, the example system is applicable to software, firmware, and hardware implementations. 
     In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, the methods described herein are intended for operation as software programs running on a computer processor. Furthermore, software implementations can include, but not limited to, distributed processing or component/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtual machine processing can also be constructed to implement the methods described herein. 
     The present disclosure contemplates a machine readable medium containing instructions  724 , or that which receives and executes instructions  724  from a propagated signal so that a device connected to a network environment  726  can send or receive voice, video or data, and to communicate over the network  726  using the instructions  724 . The instructions  724  may further be transmitted or received over a network  726  via the network interface device  720 . 
     While the machine-readable medium  722  is shown in an example embodiment to be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” should be taken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets of instructions. The term “machine-readable medium” shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by the machine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies of the present disclosure. 
     The term “machine-readable medium” shall accordingly be taken to include, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such as a memory card or other package that houses one or more read-only (non-volatile) memories, random access memories, or other re-writable (volatile) memories; magneto-optical or optical medium such as a disk or tape; and/or a digital file attachment to e-mail or other self-contained information archive or set of archives is considered a distribution medium equivalent to a tangible storage medium. Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one or more of a machine-readable medium or a distribution medium, as listed herein and including art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which the software implementations herein are stored. 
     Although the present specification describes components and functions implemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standards and protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards and protocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switched network transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) represent examples of the state of the art. Such standards are periodically superseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentially the same functions. Accordingly, replacement standards and protocols having the same functions are considered equivalents. 
     The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments, and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all the elements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use of the structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Figures are also merely representational and may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may be exaggerated, while others may be minimized. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. 
     Such embodiments of the subject matter may be described herein, individually and/or collectively without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application. Thus, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. 
     The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b), requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.