Patent Publication Number: US-10774569-B1

Title: Door security device

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     In everyday life, doors and doorways are ubiquitous. They are constructed in all shapes and sizes, from the very small to the very large. 
     An entry door of a structure, such as an office building, a home, or other structure, may control entry from an area outside of the structure into the interior of the structure. Sometimes, a door will be positioned between one interior point in a structure, such as a hallway, and a second area within the structure, such as a bedroom or other type of room. A business may have a structure where many office people work where a room is designated for a manager or an accountant. It may be desirable to protect sensitive information within that room from others, and a locking door knob is often installed on the door to prevent entry by the general public. In a home, for example, a door may be disposed between a hallway of the home and a room occupied by children. 
     Typically, a doorframe is constructed so that a closed door will be resting next to or against a door jam or door stop. The general function of the door jam or door stop in this example is to prevent a door from becoming overextended against the hinges. Overextension would put stress on the hinges of the door and might cause permanent damage, depending on the degree of overextension. 
     One commonality for many doors is that they are hinged on one edge, a right side edge, for example, and have a door latching mechanism, e.g. a doorknob coupled to a latch, on a different edge, such as a left edge. Correspondingly, a door may instead be hinged on an edge of the left side and have a door latching mechanism on an edge of the right side. 
     Door latching mechanisms come in a wide variety of shapes and capability, but typically serve to latch the door closed when desired. Additionally, some door latching mechanisms provide an additional locking feature allowing a user of the door latching mechanism to secure the door against use by an unauthorized person. Typically, a key is provided with such a door latching mechanism which is used by a user to physically unlock the door latching mechanism, thus allowing use of a door knob on the door latching mechanism to unlatch and open the door. 
     Prior art locking door latching mechanisms are useful for their intended purpose but the locking functionality of those prior art locking door latching mechanisms are easily defeated by nefarious persons, such as thieves or other persons that a property owner may want to keep out of an area protected by the door latching mechanism. It is fairly easy to acquire the tools and learn how to pick, e.g. unlock, various locks without having to use a key to unlock the door latching mechanism. 
     Further, prior art locking door latching mechanisms typically require a person to have a key and be present at the door latching mechanism in order to unlock and open the door. Thus, using those prior art locking door latching mechanisms, an owner or other person in authority must provide a key to another person who needs access, thus requiring that the key somehow be provided to the person needing access. Finally, the person needing access or any other person having a key might unintentionally lose the key, thus allowing others who find the key to gain access to areas protected by the prior art locking door latching mechanisms. 
     Therefore, what is needed is a new door security device which can secure a door against use by unauthorized persons. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a solution to the problems discussed herein, and thus solve some of the shortcomings associated with prior art doors and locking door latching mechanisms. Embodiments discussed herein enable an authorized user of a door security device to secure a door against entry, but also enable that authorized user to provide access to others, without having to provide a physical key. Embodiments discussed herein further allow an authorized user to operate the door security device remotely, such as through a wired or wireless network, or through any other network as described herein, as known at the time of filing, and/or as developed after the time of filing. 
     In one embodiment, a door security device includes a vertical support member having a top end and a bottom end and an angular displacement area, the top end being coupled to a door. The coupling location can be any location above the floor, including at a door knob area. In one embodiment, if the top end of the vertical support member is coupled to the door at or adjacent to the door knob, the top end of the vertical support member is installed between the door knob and the door, thus robustly securing the top end of the vertical support member to the door. In one embodiment, the top end of the vertical support member is coupled to the door below the door knob, and is coupled directly to the door using a secure coupling mechanism such as nails, screws, rivets or other secure coupling mechanisms described herein, as known at the time of filing, and/or as developed after the time of filing. 
     In one embodiment, the door security device further includes a movable floor pressure member having a top location movably coupled to a location of the vertical support member, where the location is defined by a first distance from the top end of the vertical support member. In one embodiment, the first distance is between 1/4  inch and 24 inches from the top end of the vertical support member. 
     In one embodiment, the door security device further includes a locking system coupled to the vertical support member and the movable floor pressure member. In one embodiment, the locking system is configured with a locking action which, when triggered by a switch, is configured to convert the door security device from an unlocked configuration to a locked configuration, the conversion including moving the movable floor pressure member into an angled position with respect to the vertical support member, the angled position dictated, at least in part, by the angular displacement area. In one embodiment, the movement of the movable floor pressure member causes a lower end of the movable floor pressure member to firmly engage a firm surface, such as the ground, a surface laying on top of the ground, a floor, etc., to put pressure on that surface with respect to the door, thus ensuring that the door cannot be opened. In one embodiment, the locking system is further configured to reverse the locking action, thus putting the door locking device into an unlocked position and allowing the door to be opened. 
     In one embodiment, the top location of the movable floor pressure member, where the movable floor pressure member is coupled to a location of the vertical support member, is a top end of the movable floor pressure member. In one embodiment, the top end of the movable floor pressure member is coupled to the vertical support member so that the movable floor pressure member is able to move to an angled position with respect to the vertical support member. 
     In one embodiment, the locking system further includes a process wherein, when the movable floor pressure member moves into the angled position with respect to the vertical support member, the top location of the movable floor pressure member moves at least towards the bottom end of the vertical support member. In one embodiment, the movable floor pressure member includes multiple pieces, for example, where the movable floor pressure member has a stable arm that moves angularly with respect to the vertical support member, with a second piece that is an extension arm that is configured to telescope and thus extend from within the movable floor pressure member towards the firm surface to ensure that a firm pressure is applied angularly between the door and the firm surface to lock the door into place. 
     In one embodiment, the locking system includes a motor coupled to the switch and the movable floor pressure member, wherein upon engagement of the switch when the door security device is in the unlocked configuration, the motor serves to move the movable floor pressure member from a vertical position with respect to the vertical support member to the previously described angled position. In one embodiment, the motor is coupled to a rotatable threaded shaft which is coupled to the movable floor pressure member, wherein upon engagement of the switch when the door security device is in the unlocked configuration, the motor rotates the shaft to move the movable floor pressure member from a vertical position with respect to the vertical support member to the previously described angled position. 
     In one embodiment, the motor of the door security device is mounted on or within at least a portion of the vertical support member. 
     In one embodiment, the door security device includes the motor coupled to the movable floor pressure member through a threaded member coupled to the motor through a threaded shaft, the threaded member hingedly coupled to the movable floor pressure member. In one embodiment, when the switch is triggered at a time when the door security device is in an unlocked position, the motor rotates the threaded shaft, thus pulling the threaded member from a first position away from the motor to a second position closer to the motor, causing a pin of the movable floor pressure member to ride on the angular displacement area, causing the movable floor pressure member to move to the angled position with respect to the vertical support member. 
     In one embodiment, the door security device includes at least a toggle switch operated manually to engage the motor to convert the door security device from an unlocked position to a locked position. In one embodiment, the door security device includes at least a toggle switch operated manually to engage the motor to convert the door security device from a locked position to an unlocked position. 
     In one embodiment, a switch of the door security includes a remote engagement capability, wherein an unlocking command issued from a remote device coupled to the remote engagement capability triggers the door security device to convert from a locked configuration to an unlocked configuration. In one embodiment, the remote device is a mobile computing system. In one embodiment, the mobile computing system is a smartphone. 
     In one embodiment, a switch of the door security includes a remote engagement capability, wherein a locking command issued from a device coupled to the remote engagement capability triggers the door security device to convert from an unlocked configuration to a locked configuration. 
     In one embodiment, a switch of the door security includes a remote engagement capability, wherein a command issued from a device coupled to the remote engagement capability triggers the door security device to convert from a first configuration to a second configuration, wherein if the first configuration is an unlocked configuration then the second configuration is a locked configuration, and wherein if the first configuration is a locked configuration then the second configuration is an unlocked configuration. 
     In one embodiment, the remote engagement capability of the door security device includes wireless functionality and is coupled to the remote device using that wireless functionality. In one embodiment, the remote engagement capability of the door security device includes wireless functionality employing Bluetooth functionality and is coupled to the remote device using Bluetooth functionality. 
     In one embodiment, the remote engagement capability of the door security device includes wireless functionality and is coupled to the remote device using the internet. 
     In one embodiment, the remote engagement capability includes at least two different forms of wireless functionality, wherein a first wireless functionality is used by the device to perform one or more of configuring the door security device to set up authorized users, locking or unlocking the door security device, enabling or disabling internet users, enabling or disabling wireless users, and receiving new user data and activate new users. In one embodiment, the remote device communicates with the door security device through an application program installed on the remote device. 
     In one embodiment, the application program is configured to alternatively perform at least two different sets of process operations based on how the remote device is coupled to the door security device. 
     In one embodiment, the application program on the remote device is configured to perform at least two different sets of process operations, wherein a first set of process operations includes at least one process operation that may only be performed if the remote device is coupled to the door security device through near-field communication. 
     In one embodiment, the application program on the remote device is configured to perform at least two different sets of process operations, wherein a first set of process operations includes at least one process operation that may only be performed if the remote device is coupled to the door security device through wired communication. 
     In one embodiment, the application program on the remote device is configured to perform at least two different sets of process operations, wherein a first set of process operations includes at least one process operation that may only be performed if the remote device is coupled to the door security device through internet communication. 
     In one embodiment, the application program is configured to only authorize the performance of one or more restricted commands if the one or more restricted commands are triggered while an authorized user is logged into the door security device. 
     In one embodiment, the application program is configured to only authorize the performance of one or more restricted commands if the one or more restricted commands are triggered while an authorized user is logged into the door security device through near-field communication. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C  is a system diagram showing one embodiment of the door security device in operation. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded system diagram showing the door security device in accordance with one embodiment. 
       Common reference numerals are used throughout the figures and the detailed description to indicate like elements. One skilled in the art will readily recognize that the above figures are examples and that other architectures, modes of operation, orders of operation, and elements/functions can be provided and implemented without departing from the characteristics and features of the invention, as set forth in the claims. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures, which depict one or more exemplary embodiments. Embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein, shown in the figures, and/or described below. Rather, these exemplary embodiments are provided to allow a complete disclosure that conveys the principles of the invention, as set forth in the claims, to those of skill in the art. 
     As discussed above, prior art locking door latching mechanisms are useful for their intended purpose but the locking functionality of those prior art locking door latching mechanisms are easily be defeated by nefarious persons, such as thieves or other persons that a property owner may want to keep out of an area protected by the door latching mechanism. It is fairly easy to acquire the tools and learn how to pick, e.g. unlock, various locks without having to use a key to unlock the door latching mechanism. 
     Further, prior art locking door latching mechanisms typically require a person to have a key and be present at the door latching mechanism in order to unlock and open the door. Thus, using those prior art locking door latching mechanisms, an owner or other person in authority must provide a key to another person who needs access, thus requiring that the key somehow be provided to the person needing access. Finally, the person needing access or any other person having a key might unintentionally lose the key, thus allowing others who find the key to gain access to areas protected by the prior art locking door latching mechanisms. 
     Those and other longstanding problems found in the field of securing doors are solved in an ingenious manner by the embodiments discussed herein. 
     Embodiments discussed herein enable an authorized user of a door security device to secure a door against entry, but also enable that authorized user to provide access to others, without having to provide a physical key. Embodiments discussed herein further allow an authorized user to operate the door security device remotely, such as through a wired or wireless network, or through any other network as described herein, as known at the time of filing, and/or as developed after the time of filing. 
       FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C  is a system diagram showing one embodiment of the door security device in operation. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C  together, a top end  101  of door security device  100  is shown coupled to or otherwise attached to a door knob  102  of a door latching mechanism  104 . In this embodiment, door security device  100  is first shown in  FIG. 1A  is a fully-stowed, unlocked configuration where the various major components are relatively close to the door. Also shown in  FIG. 1A  is a user using a wireless device  106  to activate door security device  100  to change the configuration of door security device  100  from an unlocked or unsecure configuration to a locked or deployed configuration. 
     In  FIG. 1B , door security device  100  is shown with a movable floor pressure member  108  (shown here with a cover) having been positioned during the configuration change process at an angle with respect to vertical support member  110 . More details on the mechanisms involved in the configuration change will be discussed below. In  FIG. 1C , movable floor pressure member  108  has been extended so a lower end  112  of movable floor pressure member  108  is firmly grounded to a firm surface, e.g. the floor. Thus, in the deployed, locking configuration, door security device  100  puts pressure between the floor and a location below door latching mechanism  104  of the door, such as door knob  102 . 
     In one embodiment, door security device  100  includes vertical support member  110  having a top end  114  and a bottom end  116  and an angular displacement area, top end  114  being coupled to a door  118 . The coupling location can be any location above the floor, including at a door knob area. In one embodiment, the coupling location is between two to four feet up from the base  120  of the door. In one embodiment, if top end  114  of the vertical support member  110  is coupled to the door at or adjacent to door knob  102 , top end  114  of vertical support member  110  is installed between door knob  102  and door  118 , thus robustly securing top end  114  of vertical support member  110  to door  118 . In one embodiment, top end  114  of vertical support member  110  is coupled to the door below door knob  102 , and is coupled directly to door  118  using a secure coupling mechanism such as nails, screws, rivets or other secure coupling mechanisms described herein, as known at the time of filing, and/or as developed after the time of filing. 
     In one embodiment, door security device  100  is removable from door  118 , through removing door knob  102 , through removing door latching mechanism  104 , through removing one or more nails, screws, rivets or other secure coupling mechanisms. In one embodiment, door security device  100  is built into door  118 , and thus is not easily removable from door  118  without at least partially destructing door  118 . 
     As explained herein, in one embodiment, door security device  100  includes a movable floor pressure member  108  having a top location  122  movably coupled to a location of vertical support member  110 , where the location is defined by a first distance from the top end of the vertical support member. In one embodiment, the first distance is between 1/2  inch and 24 inches from top end  114  of vertical support member  110 . 
     Further details will be provided in conjunction with an exploded view of various component parts of door security device  100 , according to one embodiment. 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded system diagram showing the door security device in accordance with one embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , with reference also to  FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C  as needed, door security device  100  includes, in one embodiment, a cover  202  which serves to mostly provide protection of components of door security device  100  from external elements, such as a person bumping into door security device  100 , moisture, dirt, or other debris. 
     Also shown in  FIG. 2  are a top end  101  of door security device  100  which is configured to be coupled to or otherwise attached to door knob  102  ( FIG. 1 ) of a door latching mechanism  104 . 
     Door security device  100  of  FIG. 2  is shown including movable floor pressure member  108  having lower end  112  which optionally includes, according to one embodiment, a floor pressure pad  204  which, as configuration of door security device  100  shifts from an unlocked configuration to a locked configuration, comes into contact with a firm surface at or near the lower end  112  of movable floor pressure member  108 . 
     In one embodiment, floor pressure pad  204  is removable. In one embodiment, floor pressure pad  204  is removable and is friction fit into a movable floor pressure member  108  assembly. In one embodiment, floor pressure pad  204  is built into an assembly including movable floor pressure member  108  so as not to be easily removed. Thus, floor pressure pad  204  may be manufactured into movable floor pressure member  108  as a single piece with floor pressure pad  204  glued or otherwise attached to movable floor pressure member  108 . 
     In a deployed, locking configuration, door security device  100  puts pressure between a firm surface below door security device  100  and a location below door latching mechanism  104  of door  118 , such as door knob  102 . 
     As discussed above, door security device  100  includes vertical support member  110  having a top end  114  and a bottom end  116  and angular displacement area  206 , top end  114  being coupled to door  118 . 
     In one embodiment, movable floor pressure member  108  is coupled to vertical support member  110  using hingepin  207  which passes through slidable channel  210 . A second pin of movable floor pressure member  108  is loosely coupled with and rides on a top surface  208  of angular displacement area  206  to provide, in one embodiment, angular displacement of movable floor pressure member  108  with respect to vertical support member  110 . 
     In practical operation, according to one embodiment, a user of door security device  100  triggers door security device  100  to change its current configuration. In one embodiment, the trigger causes door security device  100  to change configuration from an unlocked configuration to a locked configuration. 
     Thus, in practical operation, door security device  100  will begin, in this example, in a state or condition similar to that of  FIG. 1A , with movable floor pressure member  108  roughly parallel with vertical support member  110  and not engaged with a firm surface, such as the ground. In this configuration, door  118  may be opened easily without specifically interacting with door security device  100 . 
     In one embodiment, door security device  100  includes a switch which, when operated by a user of door security device  100 , changes the configuration of door security device  100  from locked to unlocked, or from unlocked to locked. Intermediate configuration positions are also available, and contemplated to be within the scope of this disclosure. Such intermediate positions include, in one embodiment, an extended angular position where movable floor pressure member  108  is predeployed to an angular displacement position where an angle formed by the movable floor pressure member  108  with respect to vertical support member  110  is greater than 5 degrees, but less than 35 degrees. 
     In one embodiment, the switch is a a toggle switch operated manually to engage motor  212  to convert door security device  100  from one configuration to another. In one embodiment, batteries supply power to door security device  100 , including to motor  212 . In one embodiment, rechargeable batteries are employed for power in door security device  100 . 
     In one embodiment, a switch of the door security includes a remote engagement capability  214 , wherein an unlocking command issued from a remote device coupled to remote engagement capability  214  triggers door security device  100  to convert from a locked configuration to an unlocked configuration. In one embodiment, the remote device is a mobile computing system. In one embodiment, the mobile computing system is a smartphone. 
     In one embodiment, a switch of the door security includes a remote engagement capability  214 , wherein a locking command issued from a device coupled to the remote engagement capability  214  triggers door security device  100  to convert from an unlocked configuration to a locked configuration. 
     In one embodiment, a switch of the door security includes remote engagement capability  214 , wherein a command issued from a remote device coupled to remote engagement capability  214  triggers the door security device to convert from a first configuration to a second configuration, wherein if the first configuration is an unlocked configuration then the second configuration is a locked configuration, and wherein if the first configuration is a locked configuration then the second configuration is an unlocked configuration. 
     In one embodiment, remote engagement capability  214  of the door security device  100  includes wireless functionality and is coupled to the remote device using that wireless functionality. In one embodiment, remote engagement capability  214  of door security device  100  includes wireless functionality employing bluetooth functionality and is coupled to the remote device using bluetooth functionality. 
     In one embodiment, remote engagement capability  214  of door security device  100  includes wireless functionality and is coupled to the remote device using the internet. 
     In one embodiment, remote engagement capability  214  includes at least two different forms of wireless functionality, wherein a first wireless functionality is used by the device to perform one or more of configuring the door security device to perform one or more process operations such as set up one or more authorized users, locking or unlocking the door security device, enabling or disabling internet users, enabling or disabling wireless users, and receiving new user data and activate new users. In one embodiment, the remote device communicates with the door security device  100  through an application program installed on the remote device. In one embodiment, the application program of the remote device is configured to establish a secure communications pathway with door security device  100 , through encryption of the data transitioning over the communications pathway between the remote device and door security device  100 . 
     In one embodiment, the application program is configured to alternatively perform at least two different sets of process operations based on how the remote device is coupled to door security device  100 . 
     In one embodiment, the application program on the remote device is configured to at least two different sets of process operations, wherein a first set of process operations includes at least one process operation that may only be performed if the remote device is coupled to the door security device through near-field communication. 
     For example, in one embodiment, if the remote device is coupled to door security device  100  using near-field communication, a first set of commands involving sensitive operations such as setting up new users, deleting old users, authorizing new devices, deleting old devices, and the like are able to be performed using near-field communication, but are disabled or are otherwise unable to be performed if the remote device is coupled to door security device  100  through the internet, or through any other communications pathway other than using near-field communication. 
     Correspondingly, in one embodiment, the application program on the remote device, and/or door security device itself, is configured to perform at least two different sets of process operations, wherein a first set of process operations includes at least one process operation that may only be performed if the remote device is coupled to door security device  100  through wired communication. 
     In one embodiment, the application program on the remote device is configured to at least two different sets of process operations, wherein a first set of process operations includes at least one process operation that may only be performed if the remote device is coupled to the door security device through internet communication. For example, in one embodiment, a command issued by one user authorizing a different user temporary permission to change the configuration of door security device  100  is only allowed to be performed when the remote device is communicating with door security device  100  through the internet. 
     In one embodiment, a command issued by one user authorizing a different user temporary permission to change the configuration of door security device  100  is only allowed to be performed when the remote device is communicating with door security device  100  through the internet using a secure, e.g. encrypted communication path. 
     In one embodiment, the application program is configured to only authorize the performance of one or more restricted commands if the one or more restricted commands are triggered while an authorized user is logged into the door security device. In one embodiment, logging into door security device employs at least a username and password combination to identify and otherwise validate that a predetermined authorized user is attempting to trigger door security device  100  to perform one or more commands. In one embodiment, a user and password combination is employed, but a third security measure, such as a computing system internet address is further used to validate whether a user attempting to issue commands to door security device  100  is an authorized user. 
     In one embodiment, the application program is configured to only authorize the performance of one or more restricted commands if the one or more restricted commands are triggered while an authorized user is logged into the door security device through near-field communication. 
     In one embodiment, door security device  100  further includes a locking system coupled to the vertical support member and the movable floor pressure member. In one embodiment, the locking system is configured to perform a locking action which, when triggered by the switch, is configured to convert the door security device from an unlocked configuration to a locked configuration, the conversion including motor  212  moving the movable floor pressure member into an angled position with respect to the vertical support member, the angled position dictated, at least in part, by angular displacement area  206 . 
     In operation, in one embodiment, during a change from an unlocked configuration to a locked configuration, motor  212  rotates threaded shaft  216  thus pulling a top end  122  of movable floor pressure member  108  downward towards motor  212  along the path of slideable channel  210 , while at the same time causing a lower guidepin of movable floor pressure member  108  to move over angular displacement area  206  of vertical support member  110 , so that lower end  112  of movable floor pressure member  108  is pushed away from vertical support member  110 . Because of the downward movement and the angular movement of lower end  112  of movable floor pressure member  108 , movable floor pressure member  108  is positioned to present a firm pressure between door  118  and a firm surface in contact with floor pressure pad  204 . 
     In one embodiment, the locking system is further configured to reverse the locking action, thus putting the door locking device into an unlocked position and allowing the door to be opened. During a change from a locked configuration to an unlocked configuration, motor  212  rotates threaded shaft  216  thus pushing top end  122  of movable floor pressure member  108  upwards away from motor  212  along the path of slideable channel  210 , while at the same time causing a lower guidepin of movable floor pressure member  108  to move over angular displacement area  206  of vertical support member  110 , so that lower end  112  of movable floor pressure member  108  is moved by gravity towards vertical support member  110 . Because of the upward movement and the angular movement of lower end  112  of movable floor pressure member  108 , movable floor pressure member  108  is positioned to minimize or remove any pressure between door  118  and the firm surface. 
     In one embodiment, the locking system further includes a process wherein, when the movable floor pressure member  108  moves into the angled position with respect to vertical support member  100 , top location  122  of movable floor pressure member  108  moves at least towards bottom end  116  of vertical support member  110 . In one embodiment, movable floor pressure member  108  includes multiple pieces, for example, where movable floor pressure member  108  has a stable arm that moves angularly with respect to the vertical support member, with a second piece that is an extension arm that is configured to telescope and thus extend from within movable floor pressure member  108  towards the firm surface to ensure that a firm pressure is applied angularly between the door and the firm surface to lock the door into place. In one embodiment, a pressure switch causes motor  212  to lose power following movable floor pressure member  108  providing a firm pressure against the firm surface, but is also configured to allow a reverse action to unlock door  118  at a later time, when desired. 
     In one embodiment, motor  212  of door security device  100  is mounted on or within at least a portion of vertical support member  100 . 
     In the discussion above, certain aspects of one embodiment include process steps and/or operations and/or instructions described herein for illustrative purposes in a particular order and/or grouping. However, the particular order and/or grouping shown and discussed herein are illustrative only and not limiting. Those of skill in the art will recognize that other orders and/or grouping of the process steps and/or operations and/or instructions are possible and, in some embodiments, one or more of the process steps and/or operations and/or instructions discussed above can be combined and/or deleted. In addition, portions of one or more of the process steps and/or operations and/or instructions can be re-grouped as portions of one or more other of the process steps and/or operations and/or instructions discussed herein. Consequently, the particular order and/or grouping of the process steps and/or operations and/or instructions discussed herein do not limit the scope of the invention as claimed below. 
     The present invention has been described in particular detail with respect to specific possible embodiments. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the invention may be practiced in other embodiments. For example, the nomenclature used for components, capitalization of component designations and terms, the attributes, data structures, or any other programming or structural aspect is not significant, mandatory, or limiting, and the mechanisms that implement the invention or its features can have various different names, formats, or protocols. Further, the system or functionality of the invention may be implemented via various combinations of software and hardware, as described, or entirely in hardware elements. Also, particular divisions of functionality between the various components described herein are merely exemplary, and not mandatory or significant. Consequently, functions performed by a single component may, in other embodiments, be performed by multiple components, and functions performed by multiple components may, in other embodiments, be performed by a single component. 
     Some portions of the above description present the features of the present invention in terms of algorithms and symbolic representations of operations, or algorithm-like representations, of operations on information/data. These algorithmic or algorithm-like descriptions and representations are the means used by those of skill in the art to most effectively and efficiently convey the substance of their work to others of skill in the art. These operations, while described functionally or logically, are understood to be implemented by computer programs or computing systems. Furthermore, it has also proven convenient at times to refer to these arrangements of operations as steps or modules or by functional names, without loss of generality. 
     Unless specifically stated otherwise, as would be apparent from the above discussion, it is appreciated that throughout the above description, discussions utilizing terms such as, but not limited to, “activating”, “accessing”, “adding”, “aggregating”, “alerting”, “applying”, “analyzing”, “associating”, “calculating”, “capturing”, “categorizing”, “classifying”, “comparing”, “creating”, “defining”, “detecting”, “determining”, “distributing”, “eliminating”, “encrypting”, “extracting”, “filtering”, “forwarding”, “generating”, “identifying”, “implementing”, “informing”, “monitoring”, “obtaining”, “posting”, “processing”, “providing”, “receiving”, “requesting”, “saving”, “sending”, “storing”, “substituting”, “transferring”, “transforming”, “transmitting”, “using”, etc., refer to the action and process of a computing system or similar electronic device that manipulates and operates on data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computing system memories, resisters, caches or other information storage, transmission or display devices. 
     The present invention also relates to an apparatus or system for performing the operations described herein. This apparatus or system may be specifically constructed for the required purposes, or the apparatus or system can comprise a general purpose system selectively activated or configured/reconfigured by a computer program stored on a computer program product as discussed herein that can be accessed by a computing system or other device. 
     Those of skill in the art will readily recognize that the algorithms and operations presented herein are not inherently related to any particular computing system, computer architecture, computer or industry standard, or any other specific apparatus. Various general purpose systems may also be used with programs in accordance with the teaching herein, or it may prove more convenient/efficient to construct more specialized apparatuses to perform the required operations described herein. The required structure for a variety of these systems will be apparent to those of skill in the art, along with equivalent variations. In addition, the present invention is not described with reference to any particular programming language and it is appreciated that a variety of programming languages may be used to implement the teachings of the present invention as described herein, and any references to a specific language or languages are provided for illustrative purposes only and for enablement of the contemplated best mode of the invention at the time of filing. 
     It should also be noted that the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability, clarity and instructional purposes, and may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. Accordingly, the disclosure of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention, which is set forth in the claims below. 
     In addition, the operations shown in the figures, or as discussed herein, are identified using a particular nomenclature for ease of description and understanding, but other nomenclature is often used in the art to identify equivalent operations. 
     Therefore, numerous variations, whether explicitly provided for by the specification or implied by the specification or not, may be implemented by one of skill in the art in view of this disclosure.