Patent Publication Number: US-9414122-B2

Title: Managing media content for a personal television channel

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/025,941, filed Feb. 5, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates generally to media content presentation techniques and more specifically to managing media content for a personal television (TV) channel. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Social networking has become very popular on the Internet. Common socialization techniques include blogging, and posting personal information on social networks such as YouTube.com™, MySpace.com™ and Facebook.com™. Social networking can also be extended to media communication systems such Internet Protocol television (IPTV), cable TV, or satellite TV capable of providing broadcast and peer-to-peer personal TV channels. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1-4  depict exemplary embodiments of communication systems that provide media services; 
         FIG. 5  depicts an exemplary embodiment of a portal interacting with at least one among the communication systems of  FIGS. 1-4 ; 
         FIGS. 6-7  depict exemplary methods operating in portions of the communication systems of  FIGS. 1-4 ; 
         FIGS. 8-11  depict exemplary illustrations of graphical user interfaces (GUIs) used by the methods of  FIGS. 6-7 ; and 
         FIG. 12  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 entails a computer-readable storage medium having computer instructions for recognizing stored media content of a subscriber according to one or more image features, categorizing the stored media content according to the one or more image features, and presenting at least a portion of the categorized media content in a personal television (TV) channel procured by the subscriber from a service provider of a TV media communication system. 
     Another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure entails a computer-readable storage medium having computer instructions for storing media content supplied by a subscriber, receiving from the subscriber a selective identification of one or more image features of the media content, categorizing the stored media content according to the one or more image features, and presenting at least a portion of the categorized media content in a personal TV channel procured by the subscriber from a service provider of a TV media communication system. 
     Another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure entails a media processor having a controller to categorize media content of a subscriber according to one or more image features, and present at least a portion of the categorized media content in a personal TV channel procured by the subscriber from a service provider of a media communication system. 
     Another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure entails a portal having a controller to categorize media content of a subscriber according to one or more image features, and direct presentation of at least a portion of the categorized media content in a personal television channel procured by the subscriber from a service provider of a media communication system. 
     Another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure entails a method that involves presenting in a personal television channel procured by a subscriber of a media communication system media content of the subscriber categorized according to one or more patterns detected in the media content. 
       FIG. 1  depicts an exemplary embodiment of a first communication system  100  for delivering media content. The communication system  100  can represent an IPTV broadcast media system. In a typical IPTV infrastructure, there is at least one super head-end office server (SHS) which receives national media programs from satellite and/or media servers from service providers of multimedia broadcast channels. In the present context, media programs can represent audio content, moving image content such as videos, still image content, and/or combinations thereof. The SHS server forwards IP packets associated with the media content to video head-end servers (VHS) via a network of aggregation points such as video head-end offices (VHO) according to a common multicast communication method. 
     The VHS then distributes multimedia broadcast programs via a local area network (LAN) to commercial and/or residential buildings  102  housing a gateway  104  (e.g., a residential gateway or RG). The LAN can represent a bank 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 to buildings  102 . The gateway  104  distributes broadcast signals to media processors  106  such as Set-Top Boxes (STBs) which in turn present broadcast selections to media devices  108  such as computers or television sets managed in some instances by a media controller  107  (e.g., an infrared or RF remote control). Unicast traffic can also be exchanged between the media processors  106  and subsystems of the IPTV media system for services such as video-on-demand (VoD). It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that the media devices  108  and/or portable communication devices  116  shown in  FIG. 1  can be an integral part of the media processor  106  and can be communicatively coupled to the gateway  104 . In this particular embodiment, an integral device such as described can receive, respond, process and present multicast or unicast media content. 
     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 fixed line media devices  108  or portable communication devices  116  by way of a wireless access point  117  providing Wireless Fidelity or WiFi services, or cellular communication services (e.g., GSM, CDMA, UMTS, WiMAX, etc.). Another distinct portion of the one or more computing devices  130  can be used as a personal television (TV) system (herein referred to as personal TV system  130 ) for purchasing and constructing personal TV channels purchased by subscribers for distributing media content of the subscriber. 
     In another illustrative embodiment, the media processor  106  of a subscriber of the first communication system  100  can be used as a media source for broadcasting media content in a personal TV channel. The personal TV system  130  can provide personal TV services to subscribers who for example cannot afford a media processor  106  capable of providing such personal TV channel services. 
     A satellite broadcast television system can be used in place of the IPTV media system. In this embodiment, signals transmitted by a satellite  115  can be intercepted by a satellite dish receiver  131  coupled to building  102  which conveys media signals to the media processors  106 . The media receivers  106  can be equipped with a broadband port to the ISP network  132 . Although not shown, the communication system  100  can also be combined or replaced with analog or digital broadcast distributions systems such as cable TV systems. 
       FIG. 2  depicts an exemplary embodiment of a second communication system  200  for delivering media content. Communication system  200  can be overlaid or operably coupled with communication system  100  as another representative embodiment of said communication system. The system  200  includes a distribution switch/router system  228  at a central office  218 . The distribution switch/router system  228  receives video data via a multicast television stream  230  from a second distribution switch/router  234  at an intermediate office  220 . The multicast television stream  230  includes Internet Protocol (IP) data packets addressed to a multicast IP address associated with a television channel. The distribution switch/router system  228  can cache data associated with each television channel received from the intermediate office  220 . 
     The distribution switch/router system  228  also receives unicast data traffic from the intermediate office  220  via a unicast traffic stream  232 . The unicast traffic stream  232  includes data packets related to devices located at a particular residence, such as the residence  202 . For example, the unicast traffic stream  232  can include data traffic related to a digital subscriber line, a telephone line, another data connection, or any combination thereof. To illustrate, the unicast traffic stream  232  can communicate data packets to and from a telephone  212  associated with a subscriber at the residence  202 . The telephone  212  can be a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone. To further illustrate, the unicast traffic stream  232  can communicate data packets to and from a personal computer  210  at the residence  202  via one or more data routers  208 . In an additional illustration, the unicast traffic stream  232  can communicate data packets to and from a set-top box device, such as the set-top box devices  204 ,  206 . The unicast traffic stream  232  can communicate data packets to and from the devices located at the residence  202  via one or more residential gateways  214  associated with the residence  202 . 
     The distribution switch/router system  228  can send data to one or more access switch/router systems  226 . The access switch/router system  226  can include or be included within a service area interface  216 . In a particular embodiment, the access switch/router system  226  can include a DSLAM. The access switch/router system  226  can receive data from the distribution switch/router system  228  via a broadcast television (BTV) stream  222  and a plurality of unicast subscriber traffic streams  224 . The BTV stream  222  can be used to communicate video data packets associated with a multicast stream. 
     For example, the BTV stream  222  can include a multicast virtual local area network (VLAN) connection between the distribution switch/router system  228  and the access switch/router system  226 . Each of the plurality of subscriber traffic streams  224  can be used to communicate subscriber specific data packets. For example, the first subscriber traffic stream can communicate data related to a first subscriber, and the nth subscriber traffic stream can communicate data related to an nth subscriber. Each subscriber to the system  200  can be associated with a respective subscriber traffic stream  224 . The subscriber traffic stream  224  can include a subscriber VLAN connection between the distribution switch/router system  228  and the access switch/router system  226  that is associated with a particular set-top box device  204 ,  206 , a particular residence  202 , a particular residential gateway  214 , another device associated with a subscriber, or any combination thereof. 
     In an illustrative embodiment, a set-top box device, such as the set-top box device  204 , receives a channel change command from an input device, such as a remoter control device. The channel change command can indicate selection of an IPTV channel. After receiving the channel change command, the set-top box device  204  generates channel selection data that indicates the selection of the IPTV channel. The set-top box device  204  can send the channel selection data to the access switch/router system  226  via the residential gateway  214 . The channel selection data can include an Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) Join request. In an illustrative embodiment, the access switch/router system  226  can identify whether it is joined to a multicast group associated with the requested channel based on information in the IGMP Join request. 
     If the access switch/router system  226  is not joined to the multicast group associated with the requested channel, the access switch/router system  226  can generate a multicast stream request. The multicast stream request can be generated by modifying the received channel selection data. In an illustrative embodiment, the access switch/router system  226  can modify an IGMP Join request to produce a proxy IGMP Join request. The access switch/router system  226  can send the multicast stream request to the distribution switch/router system  228  via the BTV stream  222 . In response to receiving the multicast stream request, the distribution switch/router system  228  can send a stream associated with the requested channel to the access switch/router system  226  via the BTV stream  222 . 
     The personal TV system  130  of  FIG. 1  can be operably coupled to the second communication system  200  for purposes of broadcasting media content supplied by subscribers in a personal TV channel of the second communication system. In another illustrative embodiment, the STBs  204 ,  206  of the second communication system  200  can be used as a media source for broadcasting media content in the personal TV channel of the subscriber. 
       FIG. 3  depicts an exemplary embodiment of a third communication system  300  for delivering media content. Communication system  300  can be overlaid or operably coupled with communication systems  100 - 200  as another representative embodiment of said communication systems. As shown, the system  300  can include a client facing tier  302 , an application tier  304 , an acquisition tier  306 , and an operations and management tier  308 . Each tier  302 ,  304 ,  306 ,  308  is coupled to a private network  310 , such as a network of common packet-switched routers and/or switches; to a public network  312 , such as the Internet; or to both the private network  310  and the public network  312 . For example, the client-facing tier  302  can be coupled to the private network  310 . Further, the application tier  304  can be coupled to the private network  310  and to the public network  312 . The acquisition tier  306  can also be coupled to the private network  310  and to the public network  312 . Additionally, the operations and management tier  308  can be coupled to the public network  322 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the various tiers  302 ,  304 ,  306 ,  308  communicate with each other via the private network  310  and the public network  312 . For instance, the client-facing tier  302  can communicate with the application tier  304  and the acquisition tier  306  via the private network  310 . The application tier  304  can communicate with the acquisition tier  306  via the private network  310 . Further, the application tier  304  can communicate with the acquisition tier  306  and the operations and management tier  308  via the public network  312 . Moreover, the acquisition tier  306  can communicate with the operations and management tier  308  via the public network  312 . In a particular embodiment, elements of the application tier  304 , including, but not limited to, a client gateway  350 , can communicate directly with the client-facing tier  302 . 
     The client-facing tier  302  can communicate with user equipment via an access network  366 , such as an IPTV access network. In an illustrative embodiment, customer premises equipment (CPE)  314 ,  322  can be coupled to a local switch, router, or other device of the access network  366 . The client-facing tier  302  can communicate with a first representative set-top box device  316  via the first CPE  314  and with a second representative set-top box device  324  via the second CPE  322 . In a particular embodiment, the first representative set-top box device  316  and the first CPE  314  can be located at a first customer premise, and the second representative set-top box device  324  and the second CPE  322  can be located at a second customer premise. 
     In another particular embodiment, the first representative set-top box device  316  and the second representative set-top box device  324  can be located at a single customer premise, both coupled to one of the CPE  314 ,  322 . The CPE  314 ,  322  can include routers, local area network devices, modems, such as digital subscriber line (DSL) modems, any other suitable devices for facilitating communication between a set-top box device and the access network  366 , or any combination thereof. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the client-facing tier  302  can be coupled to the CPE  314 ,  322  via fiber optic cables. In another exemplary embodiment, the CPE  314 ,  322  can include DSL modems that are coupled to one or more network nodes via twisted pairs, and the client-facing tier  302  can be coupled to the network nodes via fiber-optic cables. Each set-top box device  316 ,  324  can process data received via the access network  366 , via a common IPTV software platform. 
     The first set-top box device  316  can be coupled to a first external display device, such as a first television monitor  318 , and the second set-top box device  324  can be coupled to a second external display device, such as a second television monitor  326 . Moreover, the first set-top box device  316  can communicate with a first remote control  320 , and the second set-top box device  324  can communicate with a second remote control  328 . The set-top box devices  316 ,  324  can include IPTV set-top box devices; video gaming devices or consoles that are adapted to receive IPTV content; personal computers or other computing devices that are adapted to emulate set-top box device functionalities; any other device adapted to receive IPTV content and transmit data to an IPTV system via an access network; or any combination thereof. 
     In an exemplary, non-limiting embodiment, each set-top box device  316 ,  324  can receive data, video, or any combination thereof, from the client-facing tier  302  via the access network  366  and render or display the data, video, or any combination thereof, at the display device  318 ,  326  to which it is coupled. In an illustrative embodiment, the set-top box devices  316 ,  324  can include tuners that receive and decode television programming signals or packet streams for transmission to the display devices  318 ,  326 . Further, the set-top box devices  316 ,  324  can each include a STB processor  370  and a STB memory device  372  that is accessible to the STB processor  370 . In one embodiment, a computer program, such as the STB computer program  374 , can be embedded within the STB memory device  372 . 
     In an illustrative embodiment, the client-facing tier  302  can include a client-facing tier (CFT) switch  330  that manages communication between the client-facing tier  302  and the access network  366  and between the client-facing tier  302  and the private network  310 . As illustrated, the CFT switch  330  is coupled to one or more distribution servers, such as Distribution-servers (D-servers)  332 , that store, format, encode, replicate, or otherwise manipulate or prepare video content for communication from the client-facing tier  302  to the set-top box devices  316 ,  324 . The CFT switch  330  can also be coupled to a terminal server  334  that provides terminal devices with a point of connection to the IPTV system  300  via the client-facing tier  302 . 
     In a particular embodiment, the CFT switch  330  can be coupled to a video-on-demand (VOD) server  336  that stores or provides VOD content imported by the IPTV system  300 . Further, the CFT switch  330  is coupled to one or more video servers  380  that receive video content and transmit the content to the set-top boxes  316 ,  324  via the access network  366 . The client-facing tier  302  may include a CPE management server  382  that manages communications to and from the CPE  314  and the CPE  322 . For example, the CPE management server  382  may collect performance data associated with the set-top box devices  316 ,  324  from the CPE  314  or the CPE  322  and forward the collected performance data to a server associated with the operations and management tier  308 . 
     In an illustrative embodiment, the client-facing tier  302  can communicate with a large number of set-top boxes, such as the representative set-top boxes  316 ,  324 , over a wide geographic area, such as a metropolitan area, a viewing area, a statewide area, a regional area, a nationwide area or any other suitable geographic area, market area, or subscriber or customer group that can be supported by networking the client-facing tier  302  to numerous set-top box devices. In a particular embodiment, the CFT switch  330 , or any portion thereof, can include a multicast router or switch that communicates with multiple set-top box devices via a multicast-enabled network. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the application tier  304  can communicate with both the private network  310  and the public network  312 . The application tier  304  can include a first application tier (APP) switch  338  and a second APP switch  340 . In a particular embodiment, the first APP switch  338  can be coupled to the second APP switch  340 . The first APP switch  338  can be coupled to an application server  342  and to an OSS/BSS gateway  344 . In a particular embodiment, the application server  342  can provide applications to the set-top box devices  316 ,  324  via the access network  366 , which enable the set-top box devices  316 ,  324  to provide functions, such as interactive program guides, video gaming, display, messaging, processing of VOD material and other IPTV content, etc. In an illustrative embodiment, the application server  342  can provide location information to the set-top box devices  316 ,  324 . In a particular embodiment, the OSS/BSS gateway  344  includes operation systems and support (OSS) data, as well as billing systems and support (BSS) data. In one embodiment, the OSS/BSS gateway  344  can provide or restrict access to an OSS/BSS server  364  that stores operations and billing systems data. 
     The second APP switch  340  can be coupled to a domain controller  346  that provides Internet access, for example, to users at their computers  368  via the public network  312 . For example, the domain controller  346  can provide remote Internet access to IPTV account information, e-mail, personalized Internet services, or other online services via the public network  312 . In addition, the second APP switch  340  can be coupled to a subscriber and system store  348  that includes account information, such as account information that is associated with users who access the IPTV system  300  via the private network  310  or the public network  312 . In an illustrative embodiment, the subscriber and system store  348  can store subscriber or customer data and create subscriber or customer profiles that are associated with IP addresses, stock-keeping unit (SKU) numbers, other identifiers, or any combination thereof, of corresponding set-top box devices  316 ,  324 . In another illustrative embodiment, the subscriber and system store can store data associated with capabilities of set-top box devices associated with particular customers. 
     In a particular embodiment, the application tier  304  can include a client gateway  350  that communicates data directly to the client-facing tier  302 . In this embodiment, the client gateway  350  can be coupled directly to the CFT switch  330 . The client gateway  350  can provide user access to the private network  310  and the tiers coupled thereto. In an illustrative embodiment, the set-top box devices  316 ,  324  can access the IPTV system  300  via the access network  366 , using information received from the client gateway  350 . User devices can access the client gateway  350  via the access network  366 , and the client gateway  350  can allow such devices to access the private network  310  once the devices are authenticated or verified. Similarly, the client gateway  350  can prevent unauthorized devices, such as hacker computers or stolen set-top box devices from accessing the private network  310 , by denying access to these devices beyond the access network  366 . 
     For example, when the first representative set-top box device  316  accesses the client-facing tier  302  via the access network  366 , the client gateway  350  can verify subscriber information by communicating with the subscriber and system store  348  via the private network  310 . Further, the client gateway  350  can verify billing information and status by communicating with the OSS/BSS gateway  344  via the private network  310 . In one embodiment, the OSS/BSS gateway  344  can transmit a query via the public network  312  to the OSS/BSS server  364 . After the client gateway  350  confirms subscriber and/or billing information, the client gateway  350  can allow the set-top box device  316  to access IPTV content and VOD content at the client-facing tier  302 . If the client gateway  350  cannot verify subscriber information for the set-top box device  316 , e.g., because it is connected to an unauthorized twisted pair, the client gateway  350  can block transmissions to and from the set-top box device  316  beyond the access network  366 . 
     As indicated in  FIG. 3 , the acquisition tier  306  includes an acquisition tier (AQT) switch  352  that communicates with the private network  310 . The AQT switch  352  can also communicate with the operations and management tier  308  via the public network  312 . In a particular embodiment, the AQT switch  352  can be coupled to one or more live Acquisition-servers (A-servers)  354  that receive or acquire television content, movie content, advertisement content, other video content, or any combination thereof, from a broadcast service  356 , such as a satellite acquisition system or satellite head-end office. In a particular embodiment, the live acquisition server  354  can transmit content to the AQT switch  352 , and the AQT switch  352  can transmit the content to the CFT switch  330  via the private network  310 . 
     In an illustrative embodiment, content can be transmitted to the D-servers  332 , where it can be encoded, formatted, stored, replicated, or otherwise manipulated and prepared for communication from the video server(s)  380  to the set-top box devices  316 ,  324 . The CFT switch  330  can receive content from the video server(s)  380  and communicate the content to the CPE  314 ,  322  via the access network  366 . The set-top box devices  316 ,  324  can receive the content via the CPE  314 ,  322 , and can transmit the content to the television monitors  318 ,  326 . In an illustrative embodiment, video or audio portions of the content can be streamed to the set-top box devices  316 ,  324 . 
     Further, the AQT switch  352  can be coupled to a video-on-demand importer server  358  that receives and stores television or movie content received at the acquisition tier  306  and communicates the stored content to the VOD server  336  at the client-facing tier  302  via the private network  310 . Additionally, at the acquisition tier  306 , the video-on-demand (VOD) importer server  358  can receive content from one or more VOD sources outside the IPTV system  300 , such as movie studios and programmers of non-live content. The VOD importer server  358  can transmit the VOD content to the AQT switch  352 , and the AQT switch  352 , in turn, can communicate the material to the CFT switch  330  via the private network  310 . The VOD content can be stored at one or more servers, such as the VOD server  336 . 
     When users issue requests for VOD content via the set-top box devices  316 ,  324 , the requests can be transmitted over the access network  366  to the VOD server  336 , via the CFT switch  330 . Upon receiving such requests, the VOD server  336  can retrieve the requested VOD content and transmit the content to the set-top box devices  316 ,  324  across the access network  366 , via the CFT switch  330 . The set-top box devices  316 ,  324  can transmit the VOD content to the television monitors  318 ,  326 . In an illustrative embodiment, video or audio portions of VOD content can be streamed to the set-top box devices  316 ,  324 . 
       FIG. 3  further illustrates that the operations and management tier  308  can include an operations and management tier (OMT) switch  360  that conducts communication between the operations and management tier  308  and the public network  312 . In the embodiment illustrated by  FIG. 3 , the OMT switch  360  is coupled to a TV2 server  362 . Additionally, the OMT switch  360  can be coupled to an OSS/BSS server  364  and to a simple network management protocol monitor  386  that monitors network devices within or coupled to the IPTV system  300 . In a particular embodiment, the OMT switch  360  can communicate with the AQT switch  352  via the public network  312 . 
     The OSS/BSS server  364  may include a cluster of servers, such as one or more CPE data collection servers that are adapted to request and store operations systems data, such as performance data from the set-top box devices  316 ,  324 . In an illustrative embodiment, the CPE data collection servers may be adapted to analyze performance data to identify a condition of a physical component of a network path associated with a set-top box device, to predict a condition of a physical component of a network path associated with a set-top box device, or any combination thereof. 
     In an illustrative embodiment, the live acquisition server  354  can transmit content to the AQT switch  352 , and the AQT switch  352 , in turn, can transmit the content to the OMT switch  360  via the public network  312 . In this embodiment, the OMT switch  360  can transmit the content to the TV2 server  362  for display to users accessing the user interface at the TV2 server  362 . For example, a user can access the TV2 server  362  using a personal computer  368  coupled to the public network  312 . 
     The personal TV system  130  of  FIGS. 1-2  can be operably coupled to the third communication system  300  for purposes of broadcasting media content supplied by subscribers in a personal TV channel of the second communication system. In another illustrative embodiment, the STBs  316 ,  324  of the third communication system  300  can be used as a media source for broadcasting media content in the personal TV channel of the subscriber. 
     It should be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from the foregoing media system embodiments that other suitable media systems for distributing broadcast media content as well as peer-to-peer exchange of content in personal TV channels can be applied to the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 4  depicts an exemplary embodiment of a communication system  400  employing a IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network architecture. Communication system  400  can be overlaid or operably coupled with communication systems  100 - 300  as another representative embodiment of said communication systems. 
     The communication system  400  can comprise a Home Subscriber Server (HSS)  440 , a tElephone NUmber Mapping (ENUM) server  430 , and network elements of an IMS network  450 . The IMS network  450  can be coupled to IMS compliant communication devices (CD)  401 ,  402  or a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) CD  403  using a Media Gateway Control Function (MGCF)  420  that connects the call through a common PSTN network  460 . 
     IMS CDs  401 ,  402  register with the IMS network  450  by contacting a Proxy Call Session Control Function (P-CSCF) which communicates with a corresponding Serving CSCF (S-CSCF) to register the CDs with an Authentication, Authorization and Accounting (AAA) support by the HSS  440 . To accomplish a communication session between CDs, an originating IMS CD  401  can submit a SIP INVITE message to an originating P-CSCF  404  which communicates with a corresponding originating S-CSCF  406 . The originating S-CSCF  406  can submit the SIP INVITE message to an application server (AS) such as reference  410  that can provide a variety of services to IMS subscribers. For example, the application server  410  can be used to perform originating treatment functions on the calling party number received by the originating S-CSCF  406  in the SIP INVITE message. 
     Originating treatment functions can include determining whether the calling party number has international calling services, and/or is requesting special telephony features (e.g., *72 forward calls, *73 cancel call forwarding, *67 for caller ID blocking, and so on). Additionally, the originating SCSCF  406  can submit queries to the ENUM system  430  to translate an E.164 telephone number to a SIP Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) if the targeted communication device is IMS compliant. If the targeted communication device is a PSTN device, the ENUM system  430  will respond with an unsuccessful address resolution and the S-CSCF  406  will forward the call to the MGCF  420  via a Breakout Gateway Control Function (not shown). 
     When the ENUM server  430  returns a SIP URI, the SIP URI is used by an Interrogating CSCF (I-CSCF)  407  to submit a query to the HSS  440  to identify a terminating S-CSCF  414  associated with a terminating IMS CD such as reference  402 . Once identified, the I-CSCF  407  can submit the SIP INVITE to the terminating S-CSCF  414  which can call on an application server  411  similar to reference  410  to perform the originating treatment telephony functions described earlier. The terminating S-CSCF  414  can then identify a terminating P-CSCF  416  associated with the terminating CD  402 . The P-CSCF  416  then signals the CD  402  to establish communications. The aforementioned process is symmetrical. Accordingly, the terms “originating” and “terminating” in  FIG. 4  can be interchanged. 
     IMS network  450  can also be operably coupled to the personal TV system  130  previously discussed for  FIGS. 1-3 . In this representative embodiment, the personal TV system  130  can be accessed over a PSTN or VoIP channel of communication system  400  by common techniques such as described above. 
       FIG. 5  depicts an exemplary embodiment of a portal  530 . The portal  530  can be used for managing services of communication systems  100 - 400 . The portal  530  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 references  108 ,  116 , or  210  of  FIGS. 1-2 . The portal  530  can be configured to access a media processor such as references  106 ,  204 ,  206 ,  316 , and  324  of  FIGS. 1-3  and services managed thereby such as a Digital Video Recorder (DVR), an Electronic Programming Guide (EPG), VOD catalog, a personal catalog stored in the STB (e.g., personal videos, pictures, audio recordings, etc.), personal TV channels, and so on. The portal  530  can also be an integral subsystem of the personal TV system  130 . 
     A personal TV channel should not be confused with a common broadcast channel sourced by commercial and non-profit enterprises such as NBC (National Broadcasting Company), CBS (Columbia Broadcasting System), ABC (American Broadcasting Channel), PBS (Public Broadcasting System), ESPN (Entertainment and Sports Programming Network), HBO (Home Box Office), Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, and so on. Commercial and non-profit broadcast channels present media content managed in part by media supplier corporations such as, for example, General Electric, Walt Disney Company, and conglomerates such as Time Warner. 
     Commercial and non-profit media suppliers are generally speaking not subscribers or consumers of the media content presented by the abovementioned media communication systems. Service providers of the abovementioned media communication systems serve as distributors to commercial and non-profit media suppliers and generally present their media content on select channels which are commonly known and memorized by its subscribers because of their frequency of use. Subscribers of the abovementioned media communication systems consume the media content presented on these broadcast channels and are not offered an opportunity to intermix personal content with the content of the commercial and non-profit broadcast media suppliers. 
     Personal TV channels, on the other hand, provide subscribers of the abovementioned media communication systems a unique opportunity to broadcast media content managed by the subscribers. The source of media content presented by the subscriber can be of any form (e.g., audio, video, still pictures, text, and combinations thereof). The presentation timing of the media content broadcasted by the subscriber in personal TV channels can be determined at the subscriber&#39;s discretion. Similarly the subscriber has the discretion to choose any media content the subscriber desires to present in the personal TV channel. Personal TV channels can be selected and consumed by subscribers of the media communication systems as well as others having access to the media communication systems by entering a channel number or other form of identification assigned by the service providers of the media communication systems to each personal TV channel. 
     With the aforementioned embodiments in mind,  FIG. 6  depicts an exemplary method  600  operating in portions of the media communication systems  100 - 400 . Method  600  begins with step  602  in which a subscriber stores media content. The media content can represent audio content (e.g., MP3 files, etc.), still image content (e.g., JPEG, GIF files, etc.), moving image content (High Definition video content, MPEG4, WAV files, etc.), or combinations thereof. The media content can be stored in the media processor of  FIGS. 1-3  (e.g., STB), or at the personal TV system  130  described earlier. 
     Once the media content is stored, the subscriber can log into portal  530  in step  604  by common means (e.g., user name and password) using any communication device capable of connecting to the portal (e.g., STB with Internet access, computer coupled to an ISP network, etc.). In step  606 , the portal  530  can be directed by the subscriber to analyze the media content stored in the personal TV system  130  or the media processor by establishing communications therewith as described earlier. The portal  530  can then proceed to analyze the media content stored by the subscriber. If images in the media content are not recognized by the portal  530 , the portal can proceed to step  608  where it can submit a request to the subscriber to identify one or more unrecognized images in the media content. An illustrative embodiment of this request is shown by way of a GUI  800  presented in  FIG. 8  by the portal  530 . 
     In GUI  800 , the media content is presented in a first window which can be selectively categorized by the subscriber with check boxes in a second window  806 . The portal  530  can utilize common image processing software to highlight facial features in the media content as shown by reference  804 . In another illustrative embodiment, the subscriber can highlight the facial features by drawing with common tools a box around the face of a subject in a media file. 
     In the present illustration the media content presented by the GUI  800  can represent one of several still images which can be scrolled one at a time with a scroll bar  805 . As the subscriber scrolls between still images, the portal  530  (or the subscriber) can highlight facial features of a party and request that the subscriber identify the party by selecting a checkbox from window  806 . When multiple parties are presented in a single still image, the portal  530  can associate a selection in the checkbox window  806  with a single facial image selected by the subscriber. When the association is made, the subscriber can direct the portal  530  to highlight the facial features of the next party, and again request that the subscriber select a checkbox to identify the party. This process can be repeated each time there is more than subject in the still image. 
     In the illustration of  FIG. 8 , the subscriber has identified the facial image  804  as “Sister 1” (which in practice can be the name of the party). The subscriber can add new check box selections in the checkbox window  806  to account for facial images not identifiable by the present selection. The subscriber can customize window  806  by for example selecting the EDIT button  807  and adding one or more selections by name or affiliation in a provisioning GUI window presented by the portal  530  (not shown). Once completed, the subscriber can scroll up or down the checkbox window  806  to find the new selection. Selections can also be amended or deleted by a similar process. 
     Once images have been identified in step  610  by subscriber entries, the portal  530  can detect in step  612  a pattern of one or more image features. The portal  530  can use common pattern recognition techniques to recognize the facial features of the subscriber&#39;s Mom, Dad, Sister, Brother, Friend, etc. With the selective tagging of media content by the subscriber in steps  608 - 610  and/or automatic pattern image recognition based on historical analysis of image features identified by the subscriber in step  610 , the portal  530  can categorize in step  614  the media content according to these image patterns and tags. 
     With pattern recognition and tagging by the subscriber, the portal  530  can categorize the media content by party: pictures of mom, pictures of dad, pictures of sister, and so on. The portal  530  can also categorize the media content by groupings such as for example family pictures (defined as mom, dad, sister and brother), high school friends, specific friends, neighbors, and so on. These groupings can be created by the subscriber from additional GUIs presented by the portal  530  such as shown in  FIG. 8 . In a way similar to how the subscriber can create customized check boxes to identify parties, the subscriber can create customized groupings by selecting an edit button to define new groups, delete groups, or edit groups. 
     It should be noted that the categorization of media content as described above does not necessitate multiple copies of the media content. That is, media content can be shared between categories such that for example media content categorized in a family group can be shared with media content categorized in a friends group. Accordingly, in a representative embodiment categorizations can be achieved with pointers to media content without replication of the media content. 
     It should be further noted that the categorization of media content is not limited to still images. Image identification by the subscriber as well as image pattern recognition can be applied by the portal  530  to achieve similar categorization techniques. Similarly, categorization can be performed on audio content supplied by the subscriber. The portal  530  can also use common audio recognition software to identify audio content of the subscriber by party, artist, affiliation, or some other suitable association. Generally speaking, therefore, common pattern recognition techniques can be applied to the operations of the portal  530  to assist a subscriber to categorized media content in any format (audio, text, video, still image, and so on.). 
     Once the media content has been categorized with these principles in mind, the portal  530  can be directed by the subscriber to present in step  616  a selection of graphical user interface (GUI) templates and modules such as shown in  FIGS. 9-10  that can be used by the subscriber to manage the presentation of portions of the categorized media content in segments of a select GUI template. As depicted in  FIG. 9  the subscriber can be presented with an assortment of GUI templates to choose from. GUI template  2  for example segments a two dimensional presentation area or canvas of the personal TV channel into four segments. Each segment can carry any form of media content selected by the subscriber. 
     For example, the subscriber can choose to place in segment  1  a caption which can be static or dynamic (e.g., Joe&#39;s Personal TV Channel). Segment  2  can carry videos categorized by the subscriber as described earlier. The videos can be categorized as family videos recorded by the subscriber. One video can be followed by another as directed by the subscriber. Segment  3  can carry categorized pictures. The pictures can be presented as a slide show which recycles periodically. Segment  4  can carry metadata created by the subscriber to describe the pictures or video as they are presented. Templates  2 -N can provide other selections to segment the presentation area of the personal TV channel of the subscriber. 
     The portal  530  can provide the subscriber a means to browse through each template until the subscriber has found a desirable template. The portal  530  can also provide the subscriber a means to define a custom template if none of the predefined GUI templates are desirable. A custom GUI template can be defined by for example selecting an existing template or a new template. When an existing template is selected, the subscriber can redefine the size and location of the segments. A segment can be relocated by selecting with a computer mouse the segment and dragging it to another location in the presentation area of the personal TV channel. 
     When a segment is moved the other segments can be resized by the portal  530  automatically to accommodate the new location of the segment. To resize and/or reshape a segment (such as segment  1  of template  2  in  FIG. 9 ), the subscriber can select the segment with a mouse pointer to highlight six adjustment symbols in the segment (middle of sides and corners), and then select an adjustment symbol to resize it. A segment can be resized from the corners or sides as is typically performed with common drawing tools (e.g., Microsoft PowerPoint™). The subscriber can also delete segments by selecting a segment and for example right clicking a mouse button and selecting a delete option or selecting a delete button provided by the portal  530 . 
     When a new template is chosen, the portal  530  can provide an empty canvas from which the subscriber can add segments by selecting an add segment button provided by the portal, and can reshape and relocate segments as described above. 
     To populate segments of a GUI template with media content of the subscriber, the portal  530  can present a selection of modules such as shown in  FIG. 10 . The modules can represent without limitation an audio module for arranging an audio content presentation in the personal TV channel, a moving image module for arranging a moving image content presentation in the personal TV channel, a still image module for arranging a still image presentation in the personal TV channel, or third party modules for arranging content from third party sources (e.g., Yahoo!™ Flickr™). Modules can work collectively to produce hybrid media content results (e.g., mixing audio, video, still pictures, text, etc.). A module in the present context can represent a software application operating in the portal  530  which can be utilized by subscribers to manage content in the personal TV channel. The software application can represent a software development kit (SDK) which in whole or in part operates in the portal  530  and/or media devices of the subscriber (e.g., STB, DVR, PDA, cell phone, etc.) interfacing to the portal  530 . 
     As an illustration, when a subscriber selects a video module, the portal  530  can present a web page such as shown in  FIG. 11  with fields that can be populated by the subscriber and in some instances fields with a drop-down menu. For instance, the portal  530  can prompt the subscriber to identify a device or devices from which media content will be supplied (e.g., DVR, STB, PDA, cell phone, etc.). If the device is not recognized by the portal  530 , the subscriber can be prompted by the portal to provide communication data. Communication data can be represented by authentication data (login information, PIN, password) supplied by the subscriber, and/or a communication identifier of the device (e.g., IP address, domain name, SIP URI, etc.). In situations where the portal  530  is familiar with the media devices of the subscriber, the portal can provide a drop-down menu of the subscriber&#39;s devices. The portal  530  can become familiar with the subscribers devices from prior setup interactions, and/or preexisting knowledge of communication data of the devices the service provider has supplied to the subscriber to consume the services of the media communication system. 
     Once the device is identified, the portal  530  can establish communications with the media device in question by way of the network elements of the media communications system, and thereby locate the media content available on said device. The portal  530  can then present the subscriber the categorized media content organized by the steps of method  600 . The portal  530  can also provide the subscriber a common content editor to edit selections of media content. The editor can for example redact portions of media content, combine media content types (e.g., audio and video), increase speed of presentation to minimize presentation time, resolution of presentation, quality of service setting, and so on. The subscriber can choose not to use the media editor when the content is a live feed or the subscriber desires to maintain the original format of the content. 
     Once the subscriber has prepared the categorized media content as desired, the portal  530  can present the subscriber in step  618  one or more selectable time slots for assigning portions of the subscriber&#39;s content. The time slots can be defined with a recurrence schedule (e.g., content presented from 8-9 pm every Wednesday for 3 weeks). In step  620  the subscriber can also identify media content options for each time slot. Each media content option can provide a different media experience based on the viewer&#39;s identity. To make this distinction, each media content option can be associated in step  622  with one or more distinct communication identifiers. With this association the subscriber can selectively present a media content option for parents, another media content option for siblings, another media content option for friends, and yet another media content option for unrecognized viewers, each media content option indexed by the communication identifier supplied by each viewer requesting access to the personal TV channel. 
     Once media content options have been associated with a select time slot and corresponding communication identifiers, the subscriber can select in step  624  a GUI template for each media content option to provide a varied viewing experience for the population of users assigned to each media content option. For example, the subscriber can choose template  1  to present media content to the subscriber&#39;s parents, template  2  for siblings, template  3  for friends and family, and template  4  for all others. It should be noted that although the subscriber has the option to assign a different GUI template to each media content option, the subscriber can instead choose to use the same template across more than one media content option. In step  626 , the subscriber can select one or more modules to arrange categorized media content in each GUI template of a select media content option as described earlier in  FIGS. 9-11 . Steps  626 - 628  can be repeated until all media content options have been assembled according to a select GUI template and corresponding modules. 
     Method  600  can collectively represent a configuration or provisioning phase performed by the subscriber(s) which can be performed independently of the execution or run-time steps of method  700  of  FIG. 7  which illustrate the personal TV channel in use. 
     With this in mind, a media source (e.g., STB or personal TV system  130 ) managing one or more personal TV channels of one or more corresponding subscribers can be directed in step  702  to process requests for access to personal TV channels of the subscribers. The requests can be initiated by STBs in the same media communication system from which the personal TV channels operate, or from STBs in other networks. In the latter case, service operators of independently operated media communication systems can link their networks together under an intra-service agreement to expand the reach of their respective subscribers. The requests submitted by the requesting devices can each identify the requested personal TV channel according to a variety of channel identification methods. 
     For example, a personal TV channel can be identified by consumers by referring to a unique identifier such as a number, a character string, or a combination thereof. The number can represent a very large range of channel numbers supplied by a service provider (e.g., as high as in the billions for national distribution or trillions for global distribution). With a large range a service provider can sell nearly limitless personal TV channel numbers and in some cases more than one channel per subscriber. For ease of recognition, the channel number can be replaced or aliased by call letters such as a character string, or an alphanumeric string creatively defined by the subscriber. Each subscriber can thus provide a preferred designator for ease of marketing (e.g., Joe.Smith.PTV.CH1, Joe.Smith.PTV.CH2, Sam-Doe.PTV, and so on). Channel numbers can also be represented by static IP addresses, domain names, or other suitable forms of identification. 
     In step  704 , the media source can identify a communication identifier associated with each request. In one illustrative embodiment, the media source can submit a request to the requesting device (e.g., an STB) for the communication identifier. The request submitted by the media source can trigger a GUI prompt that the requesting device presents to its user. The GUI prompt can be a form with fields for a user name and password, PIN, or otherwise, which the user of the requesting device can complete. In another illustrative embodiment the requesting device can proactively submit the communication identifier to the media source. In yet another illustrative embodiment the communication identifier can be the combination of authentication data and identifying information of the requesting device (e.g., its MAC address). 
     Once the media source identifies the communication identifier in step  704 , it proceeds to step  706  where it compares it to the communication identifiers assigned to each media content option for the time slot active at the time the request was made. If no match is found, the media source can default to a media content option for unrecognized communication identifiers and present in step  708  categorized media content associated with this option in the personal TV channel. If a match is found, the media source proceeds to step  710  where it selects the media content option associated with the matched communication identifier and presents in step  712  categorized media content corresponding to said option in the personal TV channel. 
     To illustrate these embodiments, suppose that a subscriber of a personal TV channel has configured a time slot from 8-9 pm with three possible media content options: 1) categorized vacation movies with picture slideshow, 2) categorized audio recordings of the subscriber, and 3) a categorized MP3 play list of songs from the subscriber&#39;s music library. Further assume that the subscriber associates the first media content option with communication identifiers of the subscriber&#39;s parents and siblings, the second media content option with the communication identifiers of friends, and the third media content option with unidentified communication identifiers. 
     Under these circumstances the requesting devices (e.g., STBs) of the subscriber&#39;s parents and siblings will receive in step  712  multicast signals from the media source for viewing vacation movies and picture slide show of the subscriber in the personal TV channel. The requesting devices of the subscriber&#39;s friends will contemporaneously receive in step  712  a different set of multicast signals from the media source for listening to streamed audio recordings categorized by the subscriber for presentation on the personal TV channel. Lastly, all other parties who submit unrecognized communication identifiers will receive at their requesting devices in step  712  another set of multicast signals corresponding to streamed MP3 music of the subscriber. 
     The media source can also receive from a requesting device in step  714  asynchronous requests to modify the presentation of the media content option selected for the requesting device. When such a request is received, the media source can proceed to step  716  where it adapts the presentation of the categorized media content according to the request. The asynchronous requests can represent for example a request to pause the presentation of the categorized media content, a request to reverse the presentation of the categorized media content by one or more presentation frames, a request to advance the presentation of the categorized media content by one or more presentation frames, and a request to rearrange the presentation of the categorized media content. When asynchronous requests are received, communications between the media source and the requesting device transition to unicast communication sessions. 
     A user of the requesting device can for example submit asynchronous requests by controlling the requesting device with a remote controller such as previously described for the STBs of  FIGS. 1-3 . For example, when viewing the personal TV channel, the user of the requesting device can select a pause button on the remote control which directs the requesting device to send a pause signal to the media source supplying the personal TV channel. By similar means the user can submit forward or rewind signals to the media source. In another illustrative embodiment, the user of the requesting device can submit a request to rearrange the presentation. Such a request can represent for example switching from a slide show of pictures to a static array of all the pictures any one of which can be selected by the subscriber for full viewing in the respective segment. In yet another illustrative embodiment, the rearrangement request can represent a removal of one or more of the segments to expand the view of the remaining segment(s). For example, the user can request that all segments except the slide show be removed. In this instance, the slide show is adapted by the media source for full screen presentation. 
     Requests to rearrange a presentation of a personal TV channel can be accomplished in several ways. The requesting device can present a supplemental user interface to the user for deleting segments which can be managed by a remote controller. The media source can also provide metadata to the requesting device for each segment indicating available options for modifying the presentation of the segment. These options can be presented by the requesting device by way of a pull down menu which the user of the requesting device can request by way of navigation functions of the remote controller (e.g., user points arrow to a segment of the personal TV channel and selects the menu button to determine presentation options for said segment). The subscriber of the personal TV channel can arrange presentation options with the modules discussed earlier for  FIG. 10 . The modules can also create metadata describing these options which is readable by the requesting device to present its user the available options. 
     Although not shown in  FIG. 7 , the media source can be adapted to receive and process opinion data supplied by the requesting devices as directed by its users. The opinion data can be generated by consumers of media content presented in the personal TV channel proactively or on demand. Consumers can prompt or be prompted by their respective media processors to complete a survey about the media content they have experienced in the personal TV channel. The prompt can be programmed into the media processor as a standard opinion survey form that can be completed by the consumer and submitted to the subscriber of the personal TV channel. The subscriber of the personal TV channel can produce its own survey form which it can submit to consumers along with the media content presented in the personal TV channel. In yet another illustrative embodiment, the service provider of the media communication system can provide its own survey to consumers to standardize the opinion data collected. 
     The media source can be directed to produce media content ratings according to the opinion data supplied. In subsequent presentations of the media content, a media content rating can be supplied as metadata in the personal TV channel which can be processed by requesting devices. The requesting devices can be programmed by its users to apply parental controls to limit access to the media content according to its rating. The rating system used can be standardized ubiquitously by the service provider of the media communication system by defining standard criteria for the survey with some flexibility for the subscribers of the personal TV channels to add their own criteria. 
     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, method  600  can be adapted so that pattern recognition can be applied not just to human images, but any image with discernable features (e.g., animals such as dogs, cats, horses, etc.). This adaptation can also be applied to other media formats such as audio. 
     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. 12  depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of a computer system  1200  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  1200  may include a processor  1202  (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU, or both), a main memory  1204  and a static memory  1206 , which communicate with each other via a bus  1208 . The computer system  1200  may further include a video display unit  1210  (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a flat panel, a solid state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). The computer system  1200  may include an input device  1212  (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor control device  1214  (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit  1216 , a signal generation device  1218  (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and a network interface device  1220 . 
     The disk drive unit  1216  may include a machine-readable medium  1222  on which is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g., software  1224 ) embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions described herein, including those methods illustrated above. The instructions  1224  may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory  1204 , the static memory  1206 , and/or within the processor  1202  during execution thereof by the computer system  1200 . The main memory  1204  and the processor  1202  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  1224 , or that which receives and executes instructions  1224  from a propagated signal so that a device connected to a network environment  1226  can send or receive voice, video or data, and to communicate over the network  1226  using the instructions  1224 . The instructions  1224  may further be transmitted or received over a network  1226  via the network interface device  1220 . 
     While the machine-readable medium  1222  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 carrier wave signals such as a signal embodying computer instructions in a transmission medium; 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 inventive subject matter may be referred to herein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any single invention or inventive concept if more than one is in fact disclosed. 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, inventive 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.