Patent Publication Number: US-2021192067-A1

Title: User interface for interacting with multiple databases

Description:
PRIORITY APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/986,284, filed May 22, 2018, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The subject matter disclosed herein generally relates to network communications and user interfaces. Specifically, in some example embodiments, the present disclosure addresses systems and methods for providing a user interface for interacting with multiple databases. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Some embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is a network diagram illustrating a network environment suitable for a user interface for interacting with multiple databases, according to some example embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  is an architectural diagram illustrating components of a user interface server in communication with other systems, according to some example embodiments. 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating components of a user interface server, according to some example embodiments. 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating a user interface for interacting with multiple databases, according to some example embodiments. 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating a user interface for interacting with multiple databases, according to some example embodiments. 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating user interfaces for interacting with multiple databases, according to some example embodiments. 
         FIG. 7  is a block diagram illustrating a user authentication interface, according to some example embodiments. 
         FIG. 8  is a block diagram illustrating a database schema suitable for supporting a user interface for interacting with multiple databases, according to some example embodiments. 
         FIG. 9  is a flowchart illustrating operations of a computing device in performing a method of providing a user interface for interacting with multiple databases, according to some example embodiments. 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart illustrating operations of a computing device in performing a method of providing a user interface for interacting with multiple databases, according to some example embodiments. 
         FIG. 11  is a block diagram illustrating an example of a software architecture that may be installed on a machine, according to some example embodiments. 
         FIG. 12  is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of a computer system within which a set of instructions may be executed for causing the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein, according to an example embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Example methods and systems are directed to a user interface for interacting with multiple databases. Examples merely typify possible variations. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, components and functions are optional and may be combined or subdivided, and operations may vary in sequence or be combined or subdivided. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of example embodiments. It will be evident to one skilled in the art, however, that the present subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. 
     Databases of different entities have independent locking features to control access to a user&#39;s data. A user interface for interacting with multiple databases allows the user to lock or unlock access to their data with multiple entities simultaneously. A user interface (UI) server communicates with servers corresponding to each of the different entities request that the data access be locked or unlocked. The UI server may also report to the consumer the data access status of the for the user&#39;s data with each of the different entities. 
     To authenticate the user, the user interface for interacting with multiple databases may provide one or more authentication prompts prior to allowing the user to lock or unlock their data. The authentication prompts may be provided by one or more of the multiple entities. 
     Users wishing to lock, unlock, freeze, or unfreeze credit with credit reporting agencies using existing interfaces contact each credit reporting agency to request the change in credit status. Locking and freezing credit both result in a credit reporting agency refusing to provide credit data to the third-parties. The processes for locking and freezing credit may be different in terms of time to process a modification request, fees charged, frequency that changing the locked or frozen status is permitted, or in other ways. The user interface for interacting with multiple databases is an improvement over existing interfaces, which require the consumer to authenticate, check lock status, and request the locking or unlocking of credit with each credit reporting agency individually. The existing process is comparatively error-prone, since a consumer may easily overlook an agency, and time consuming, since the consumer must perform each step multiple times. Furthermore, by reducing the time spent by the consumer in locking or unlocking access to data with multiple databases, processor cycles are saved on the consumer&#39;s device and, as a result, power consumption by the device is reduced. For battery-powered devices, a reduction in power consumption also results in an extension of battery life. 
       FIG. 1  is a network diagram illustrating a network environment  100  suitable for a user interface for interacting with multiple databases (e.g., a user interface for interacting with multiple databases), according to some example embodiments. The network environment  100  includes a UI server  110 , database servers  120 A,  120 B, and  120 C, and devices  130 A and  130 B, all communicatively coupled to each other via a network  160 . The database servers  120 A- 120 C may be collectively referred to as “database servers  120 ,” or generically referred to as a “database server  120 .” The devices  130 A and  130 B may be collectively referred to as “devices  130 ,” or generically referred to as a “device  130 .” The UI server  110  is a network-based system. The devices  130  may interact with the UI server  110  using a web client  140 A or an app client  140 B. The UI server  110  and the devices  130  may each be implemented in a computer system, in whole or in part, as described below with respect to  FIGS. 11-12 . 
     The UI server  110  provides a user interface for interacting with multiple databases to other machines (e.g., the devices  130 ) via the network  160 . The user interface for interacting with multiple databases may provide a way for users to lock and unlock accessibility of data with multiple entities by communication with the database servers  120 . For example, the database servers  120  may be credit reporting agency servers and the user may lock and unlock accessibility of credit data with each of multiple credit reporting agencies. 
     Also shown in  FIG. 1  is a user  150 . The user  150  may be a human user (e.g., a human being), a machine user (e.g., a computer configured by a software program to interact with the devices  130  and the UI server  110 ), or any suitable combination thereof (e.g., a human assisted by a machine or a machine supervised by a human). The user  150  is not part of the network environment  100 , but is associated with the devices  130  and may be a user of the devices  130  (e.g., an owner of the devices  130 A and  130 B). For example, the device  130  may be a desktop computer, a vehicle computer, a tablet computer, a navigational device, a portable media device, or a smart phone belonging to the user  150 . 
     In some example embodiments, the UI server  110  receives a selection from a device  130  to lock access to data of multiple entities, each of the multiple entities (e.g., multiple credit reporting agencies) providing one of the database servers  120 . The UI server  110  generates, for each of the database servers  120 , a request to lock access to data (e.g., to lock credit) and transmits the request to the database server. Each database server  120  responds to the request, indicating whether the request was successful or not. The UI server  110  may update the user interface for interacting with multiple databases provided on the device  130  to show the updated data access status for each entity. 
     Any of the machines, databases, or devices shown in  FIG. 1  may be implemented in a general-purpose computer modified (e.g., configured or programmed) by software to be a special-purpose computer to perform the functions described herein for that machine, database, or device. For example, a computer system able to implement any one or more of the methodologies described herein is discussed below with respect to  FIGS. 11-12 . As used herein, a “database” is a data storage resource and may store data structured as a text file, a table, a spreadsheet, a relational database (e.g., an object-relational database), a triple store, a hierarchical data store, or any suitable combination thereof. Moreover, any two or more of the machines, databases, or devices illustrated in  FIG. 1  may be combined into a single machine, database, or device, and the functions described herein for any single machine, database, or device may be subdivided among multiple machines, databases, or devices. 
     The network  160  may be any network that enables communication between or among machines, databases, and devices (e.g., the UI server  110  and the devices  130 ). Accordingly, the network  160  may be a wired network, a wireless network (e.g., a mobile or cellular network), or any suitable combination thereof. The network  160  may include one or more portions that constitute a private network, a public network (e.g., the Internet), or any suitable combination thereof. 
       FIG. 2  is an architectural diagram  200  illustrating components of a UI server  110  suitable for providing a user interface for interacting with multiple databases, according to some example embodiments. The UI server  110  includes an Apache Docker container  210 E that serves a web site, via a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) connection, to the device  130 A. The web browser of the device  130 A is in communication, via a representational state transfer (REST) application programming interface (API), with an authorization Docker container  210 A, a member Docker container  210 B, a SalesForce™ Docker container  210 C, and a CSID Experian™ Docker container  210 D. The member Docker container  210 B accesses a database  230  using the Simple Queue Service (SQS). The Salesforce™ Docker container  210 C accesses a SalesForce™ server  240  using the SalesForce™ API. The CSID Experian™ Docker container  210 D accesses the database server  120 B using a proprietary API. The database  120 A is accessed by the device  130 A using another proprietary API. 
     Structured Query Language (SQL) is used to access standard relational databases. NoSQL is used to refer to databases other than standard relational databases. Dynamo NoSQL is a particular type of NoSQL based on key-value pairs. The authorization Docker container  210 A uses Dynamo NoSQL to access data files  220 A and  220 B. For example, the data files  220 A and  220 B may store usernames, passwords, authentication questions, user profiles, or any suitable combination thereof. Accordingly, a user may enter identifying information into a web page served by the Apache Docker container  210 E, and the user&#39;s web browser may send the entered information to the authorization Docker container  210 A (e.g., using Angular 5 code embedded in the web page and running on the user&#39;s web browser). The authorization Docker container  210 A may verify the information against the data stored in one or both of the data files  220 A and  220 B to identify or authorize the user. 
     Docker provides containerization (also referred to as operating-system-level virtualization) of applications, reducing overhead compared to running each application in a separate virtual machine (VM), but providing comparable isolation of the containerized applications (also referred to as containers). The member Docker container  210 B accesses the database  230  using SQS to retrieve and store user data. For example, a user&#39;s name, social security number, birthdate, address, previous addresses, phone number, bank account numbers, or any suitable combination thereof may be stored in the database  230 . 
     The SalesForce™ server  240  may be accessed by the SalesForce™ Docker container  210 C using the SalesForce™ API. The SalesForce™ server  240  provides case management and task management services. For example, a task to periodically reattempt to change credit status with a credit reporting agency may be created using SalesForce™ in the event that an immediate attempt to change the credit status in response to a user request fails. 
     Some entities provide a proprietary API that may be accessed by the UI server  110  to retrieve and modify credit status. For example, CSID Experian™ provides such an API. Thus, the CSID Experian™ Docker container  210 D may access a database server (e.g., the database server  120 B) using the CSID Experian™ proprietary API. Other entities provide a proprietary API for access by the user&#39;s device (e.g., the device  130 A). For example, TransUnion™ provides this type of API. Thus, the device  130 A may access a database server (e.g., the database server  120 A) using the TransUnion™ proprietary API. The device  130 A may be configured, using Angular 5 or another scripting language, by the UI server  110  to communicate with one or more of the entities without using the UI server  110  as an intermediary. In some example embodiments, the device  130 A provides updated status information to the UI server  110  (e.g., for storage by the member Docker container  210 B in the database  230 ). 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating components of the UI server  110 , according to some example embodiments. The UI server  110  is shown as including a communication module  310 , an authentication module  320 , a data lock module  330 , an alert module  340 , a user interface module  350 , and a storage module  360 , all configured to communicate with each other (e.g., via a bus, shared memory, a switch, or APIs). Any one or more of the modules described herein may be implemented using hardware (e.g., a processor of a machine) or a combination of hardware and software. For example, any module described herein may configure a processor to perform the operations described herein for that module. Moreover, any two or more of these modules may be combined into a single module, and the functions described herein for a single module may be subdivided among multiple modules. Furthermore, according to various example embodiments, modules described herein as being implemented within a single machine, database, or device may be distributed across multiple machines, databases, or devices. 
     The communication module  310  is configured to send and receive data. For example, the communication module  310  may receive, over the network  160 , a request for a user interface for interacting with multiple databases from a device  130 . The communication module  310  may provide the request to the user interface module  350 , transmit a user interface provided by the user interface module  350  to the device  130 , and receive user selections of options in the user interface for processing by the authentication module  320  or the data lock module  330 , storage by the storage module  360 , or any suitable combination thereof. 
     The authentication module  320  is configured to authenticate a user. For example, a question that only the user is expected to know the answer to may be presented to the user and the user authenticated only if the response is correct. In some example embodiments, multiple such questions are presented and the responses evaluated. The user may be permitted to proceed to view data access status information, lock access to data, unlock access to data, or any suitable combination thereof, only after authentication is successful. 
     The data lock module  330  is configured to lock or unlock access to the user&#39;s data with multiple entities. For example, a request to lock or unlock access to the user&#39;s data may be sent, using the communication module  310 , to a database server  120 , by the credit lock module  330 . A response to the request may be received and used to update a user interface provided by the user interface module  350 , used to cause an alert to be generated by the alert module  340 , stored for later reference by the storage module  360 , or any suitable combination thereof. 
     The alert module  340  is configured to generate alerts. The generated alerts may be provided to users (e.g., to report data access status changes, such as credit status changes, to report data breaches, to report suspected identity theft, or any suitable combination thereof) or to administrators (e.g., to report error conditions in communications with one or more database servers). Each alert may be in the form of e-mail, text message, automated voice message, or another suitable method of notification. 
     The user interface module  350  is configured to provide a user interface for interacting with multiple databases. The user interface for interacting with multiple databases may include information regarding a user&#39;s current credit data access status, provide options to lock or unlock data access with multiple entities, or both. For example, one or more of the user interface for interacting with multiple databases s  400 ,  500 ,  600 , and  650 , described below with respect to  FIGS. 4-6 , may be presented by the user interface module  350 , and selections may be received via an application interface or a web interface. Additionally or alternatively, the user interface module  350  may provide a user interface to authenticate the user, such as a user authentication interface  700 , described below with respect to  FIG. 7 . The storage module  360  is configured to store data regarding users, entities, data access status, or any suitable combination thereof. 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating a user interface  400  for interacting with multiple databases, according to some example embodiments. As can be seen in  FIG. 4 , the user interface  400  includes a name  410 , a credit status area  420 , and buttons  430  and  440 . 
     The user interface  400  may be displayed in response to a user initiating a unified data access lock process (e.g., a unified credit lock process). The name  410  indicates a name of the user. The data access status area  420  shows the current data access status (e.g., locked, unlocked, or frozen) for each of a plurality of entities (e.g., credit reporting agencies). The button  430  is operable to cause the UI server  110  to request each of the entities to lock the user&#39;s data. The button  440  is operable to cause the UI server  110  to request each of the entities to unlock the user&#39;s credit. 
     In some example embodiments, the user interface  400  is provided by the UI server  110  dynamically. For example, the UI server  110  may be a web server that communicates with one or more of the database servers  120  to determine the current data access status. A web page served by the UI server  110  may include the data access status information and be rendered by the web client  140 A. 
     In other example embodiments, the user interface  400  is generated by the device  130 . For example, the app client  140 B may communicate with one or more of the database servers  120  to determine the current data access status. Using the information gathered from the database servers  120 , the app client  140 B may generate and provide the user interface for interacting with multiple databases  400 . The app client  140 B may inform the UI server  110  of changes in data access status. 
     The user interface  400  may also include some information provided by the database servers  120  to the device  130  via the server  110  and some information provided by the database servers  120  directly to the device  130 . Thus, in these example embodiments, the UI server  110  receives data access status information only from a subset of the database servers  120 . The user interface  400  allows the user to monitor and change the data access status with the multiple entities even though the communication paths to the various database servers  120  are distinct (e.g., because the UI server  110  intermediates only a subset of the communications). 
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating a user interface  500  for interacting with multiple databases, according to some example embodiments. As can be seen in  FIG. 5 , the user interface  500  includes the name  410 , a data access status area  520 , and the button  440 . The user interface  500  may be displayed after the user has opted to lock data access with all entities, showing an updated status in the data access status area  520 . Since all entities have locked the user&#39;s data (as shown in the data access status area  520 ), the button  430  is disabled or removed from the user interface  500 . As can be seen by comparison of the data access status area  520  and the data access status area  420 , when all entities are reporting the same status, the credit status area may report a single status for all entities instead of an individual status for each entity. 
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating user interfaces  600  and  650  for interacting with multiple databases, according to some example embodiments. As can be seen in  FIG. 6 , the user interfaces  600  and  650  each include the name  410 , the data access status area  520 , and a tray  630 . A portion of the tray  630  is operable to open and close the tray  630 . For example, a user may open or close the tray  630  by clicking or double-clicking, on the arrow shown in the tray  630 , touching the right edge of the tray  630  on a touch screen, clicking on the tray  630  and dragging the tray  630  to the right or left, or any suitable combination thereof. In the user interface  600 , the tray  630  is closed and the credit status area  520  indicates that data access is locked by all entities (e.g., that credit is locked by all credit reporting agencies). 
     In the user interface  650 , the credit status area  520  indicates that credit is locked by two entities, and the tray  630  is open, revealing the data access status with each entity as a slider. For each of the three entities, the corresponding slider is in the left position if data access is not locked and in the right position if data access is locked. Each slider may be operable by the user to request a change in data access status for the corresponding entity. For example, the user may click and drag the slider next to “TransUnion” to initiate a request to the TransUnion™ credit reporting agency to lock credit for the user by locking access to the user&#39;s credit data stored in a database controlled by TransUnion™. 
       FIG. 7  is a block diagram illustrating a user authentication interface  700 , according to some example embodiments. As can be seen in  FIG. 7 , the user authentication interface  700  includes the name  410 , an authentication area  720 , and a button  730 . The user authentication interface  700  may be displayed prior to the display of a user interface for interacting with multiple databases (e.g., the user interface  400 ,  500 ,  600 , or  650 ), to authenticate the user before allowing the user to view or modify data access status with multiple entities. 
     The authentication area  720  displays an authentication prompt to the user. In the example shown, the user selects one of the presented radio buttons to indicate the desired response, such as a current or prior address of the user, then presses the button  730  to submit the response. In other example embodiments, other forms of authentication may be used, such as handwriting analysis, password entry, identifying particular financial transactions, or any suitable combination thereof. Once the user is successfully authenticated, the data access lock process may proceed with presentation of one of the user interfaces  400 ,  500 ,  600 , or  650 . 
       FIG. 8  is a block diagram illustrating a database schema  800  suitable for supporting a user interface for interacting with multiple databases, according to some example embodiments. The database schema  800  includes a user table  810  and a status table  840 . The user table  810  is defined by a table definition  820 , including a user identifier field, a name field, and a social security number (SSN) field, and includes rows  830 A,  830 B, and  830 C. The status table  840  is defined by a table definition  850 , including a user identifier field, an entity identifier field, and a status field, and includes rows  860 A,  860 B, and  860 C. 
     Each of the rows  830 A- 830 C stores information for a user. The user identifier field stores a unique identifier for the user. The name field stores a name of the user. The SSN field stores a social security number of the user. In various example embodiments, additional or different fields are stored in the user table  810 . For example, an address field, a birthdate field, a phone number field, or any suitable combination thereof may be stored. 
     Each of the rows  860 A- 860 C stores the data access status of a user with an entity. In the example shown, the rows  860 A- 860 C indicate that the user having the identifier of 1234 (and named “Adam Smith,” as determined by reference to the user table  810 ) has data access locked with one entity and unlocked with two entities. 
       FIG. 9  is a flowchart illustrating operations of a server computer in performing a method  900  of providing a user interface for interacting with multiple databases, according to some example embodiments. By way of example and not limitation, operations in the method  900  are described as being performed by the UI server  110 , using modules described above with respect to  FIG. 3 . 
     In operation  910 , the user interface module  350  causes a user interface to be presented that comprises an option to modify data access status (e.g., to lock access, unlock access, freeze access, unfreeze access, or any suitable combination thereof) by a plurality of entities (e.g., as credit reporting agencies). In some example embodiments, the plurality of entities are at least three entities. The user interface module  350  of the UI server  110  may transmit a web page via the network  160  to the web client  140 A of the device  130 A for presentation on a display of the device  130 A to the user  150 . When rendered by the web client  140 A, the web page may be presented in the form of the user interface  400 , comprising a single lock option in the form of the button  430 , operable to lock data access in the databases of the three entities shown in the data access status area  420 . 
     Operation  910  may be performed in response to a request received by the UI server  110 , transmitted via an electronic communication network, to lock data access functionality in multiple databases (e.g., in at least three databases), each database corresponding to a different entity. The request may identify a person having data in each of the databases. For example, the person may be identified by user name, name, email address, social security number, by another identifier, or any suitable combination thereof. 
     In operation  920 , in response to the operation of the option, the data lock module  330 , for each of the plurality of entities, transmits, to a database server corresponding to the entity, a request for the entity to modify data access status. For example, the data lock module  330  of the UI server  110  may transmit a request to each of the database servers  120 A- 120 C to request that the three entities shown in the data access status area  420  lock data access for the user  150 . 
     The method used to transmit the request to each of the database servers  120 A- 120 C may be selected based on the server. For example, the database server  120 A may make use of RESTful APIs with a primary data format based on JavaScript object notation (JSON). A RESTful API is one that uses the representational state transfer (REST) architectural style, and is often implemented using hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) requests. The database server  120 B may use the simple object access protocol (SOAP), in conjunction with remote procedure calls (RPC), REST, and data formatted using extended markup language (XML). The database server  120 C may use a blend of RPC and REST with support for data formatted using JSON and XML. Another database server may use the WebServices application programming interface (API). Thus, any combination of data exchange standards such as SOAP, RPC over HTTP, REST, file transfer protocol (FTP), WebServices API, or secure FTP (SFTP) may be used, using any data transmission formats such as XML, JSON, electronic data interchange (EDI), or health level 7 (HL7). 
     The user interface module  350 , in operation  930 , updates the user interface to identify a modified data access status (e.g., by communicating, via the electronic communication network, an update message to cause the user interface to confirm that the data access functionality has been locked). For example, one or more of the entity servers  120 A- 120 C may respond to the request to lock data access with an indication that data access has been locked by the corresponding entity. The updated user interface indicates which of the entities have locked data access for the user  150 . For example, the user interface  500  shows that all entities have locked the user&#39;s data. 
     If a database server  120  fails to respond, the UI server  110  may store the user&#39;s request for retrying later. For example, the row in the status table  840  for the user&#39;s data access status with the entity corresponding to the unresponsive server may be updated to indicate both the current status (e.g., unlocked) and the requested status (e.g., locked). A process may periodically (e.g., hourly) query the status table  840  to identify rows in which the current status and the requested status are different. For each identified row, the process may resubmit the change status request for the user, and update the status in the status table  840  once the request is successful. 
       FIG. 10  is a flowchart illustrating operations of a computing device in performing a method  1000  of providing a user interface for interacting with multiple databases, according to some example embodiments. By way of example and not limitation, operations in the method  1000  are described as being performed by the UI server  110 , using modules described above with respect to  FIG. 3 . 
     In operation  1010 , the authentication module  320  requests an authentication prompt for an individual from a server. For example, one of the database servers  120 A- 120 C may be requested to provide the authentication prompt 
     In operation  1020 , the authentication module  320  causes a user interface comprising the authentication prompt to be presented on a client device (e.g., the device  130 ). For example, a programmatic interface of the UI server  110  may provide the user authentication interface  700  for display by the app client  140 B on the device  130 B. 
     A response to the authentication prompt is received by the authentication module  320  in operation  1030 , and the response is transmitted to the server that provided the prompt in operation  1040 . 
     In some example embodiments, a request is received by the UI server  110 , transmitted via an electronic communication network from a client device, to lock data access functionality in multiple databases. The request may identify a person having data in each of the databases. In response to the request, the UI server  110  may authenticate a user of the client device via the electronic communication network, using operations  1010 - 1040 . 
     After validating the response, the server provides an authorization to modify the data access status (e.g., to lock data access, to unlock data access, to freeze data access, or any suitable combination thereof) for the individual, and, in operation  1050 , the authentication module  320  receives the authorization. In some example embodiments, operations  1010 - 1050  are repeated for additional servers of the database servers  120 A- 120 C. In other example embodiments, the authorization received in operation  1050  from one of the database servers  120 A- 120 C is sufficient to allow modification of data access status from one or more additional database servers  120 A- 120 C. 
     In operation  1060 , in response to receiving the authorization (or authorizations), the method  900  is performed. Thus, by use of the method  1000  in combination with the method  900 , a user is authenticated before being permitted to modify data access status (e.g., to lock data access) with multiple entities using a user interface for interacting with multiple databases. 
     According to various example embodiments, one or more of the methodologies described herein may facilitate efficient modification of data access status (e.g., credit reporting status). Hence, one or more of the methodologies described herein may facilitate locking or unlocking data access with multiple entities (e.g., credit reporting agencies) without requiring the user to connect to multiple servers and respond to multiple prompts. 
     When these effects are considered in aggregate, one or more of the methodologies described herein may obviate a need for certain efforts or resources that otherwise would be involved in locking or unlocking data access with multiple entities. Efforts expended by a user in modifying credit reporting status may be reduced by one or more of the methodologies described herein. Computing resources used by one or more machines, databases, or devices (e.g., within the network environment  100 ) may similarly be reduced. Examples of such computing resources include processor cycles, network traffic, memory usage, data storage capacity, power consumption, and cooling capacity. 
     Modules, Components, and Logic 
     Certain embodiments are described herein as including logic or a number of components, modules, or mechanisms. Modules may constitute either software modules (e.g., code embodied on a non-transitory machine-readable medium) or hardware-implemented modules. A hardware-implemented module is a tangible unit capable of performing certain operations and may be configured or arranged in a certain manner. In example embodiments, one or more computer systems (e.g., a standalone, client, or server computer system) or one or more processors may be configured by software (e.g., an application or application portion) as a hardware-implemented module that operates to perform certain operations as described herein. 
     In various embodiments, a hardware-implemented module may be implemented mechanically or electronically. For example, a hardware-implemented module may comprise dedicated circuitry or logic that is permanently configured (e.g., as a special-purpose processor, such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) to perform certain operations. A hardware-implemented module may also comprise programmable logic or circuitry (e.g., as encompassed within a general-purpose processor or other programmable processor) that is temporarily configured by software to perform certain operations. It will be appreciated that the decision to implement a hardware-implemented module mechanically, in dedicated and permanently configured circuitry, or in temporarily configured circuitry (e.g., configured by software) may be driven by cost and time considerations. 
     Accordingly, the term “hardware-implemented module” should be understood to encompass a tangible entity, be that an entity that is physically constructed, permanently configured (e.g., hardwired), or temporarily or transitorily configured (e.g., programmed) to operate in a certain manner and/or to perform certain operations described herein. Considering embodiments in which hardware-implemented modules are temporarily configured (e.g., programmed), each of the hardware-implemented modules need not be configured or instantiated at any one instance in time. For example, where the hardware-implemented modules comprise a general-purpose processor configured using software, the general-purpose processor may be configured as respective different hardware-implemented modules at different times. Software may accordingly configure a processor, for example, to constitute a particular hardware-implemented module at one instance of time and to constitute a different hardware-implemented module at a different instance of time. 
     Hardware-implemented modules can provide information to, and receive information from, other hardware-implemented modules. Accordingly, the described hardware-implemented modules may be regarded as being communicatively coupled. Where multiple of such hardware-implemented modules exist contemporaneously, communications may be achieved through signal transmission (e.g., over appropriate circuits and buses that connect the hardware-implemented modules). In embodiments in which multiple hardware-implemented modules are configured or instantiated at different times, communications between such hardware-implemented modules may be achieved, for example, through the storage and retrieval of information in memory structures to which the multiple hardware-implemented modules have access. For example, one hardware-implemented module may perform an operation, and store the output of that operation in a memory device to which it is communicatively coupled. A further hardware-implemented module may then, at a later time, access the memory device to retrieve and process the stored output. Hardware-implemented modules may also initiate communications with input or output devices, and can operate on a resource (e.g., a collection of information). 
     The various operations of example methods described herein may be performed, at least partially, by one or more processors that are temporarily configured (e.g., by software) or permanently configured to perform the relevant operations. Whether temporarily or permanently configured, such processors may constitute processor-implemented modules that operate to perform one or more operations or functions. The modules referred to herein may, in some example embodiments, comprise processor-implemented modules. 
     Similarly, the methods described herein may be at least partially processor-implemented. For example, at least some of the operations of a method may be performed by one or more processors or processor-implemented modules. The performance of certain of the operations may be distributed among the one or more processors, not only residing within a single machine, but deployed across a number of machines. In some example embodiments, the processor or processors may be located in a single location (e.g., within a home environment, an office environment, or a server farm), while in other embodiments the processors may be distributed across a number of locations. 
     The one or more processors may also operate to support performance of the relevant operations in a “cloud computing” environment or as a “software as a service” (SaaS). For example, at least some of the operations may be performed by a group of computers (as examples of machines including processors), these operations being accessible via a network (e.g., the Internet) and via one or more appropriate interfaces (e.g., application programming interfaces (APIs)). 
     Electronic Apparatus and System 
     Example embodiments may be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, in computer hardware, firmware, or software, or in combinations of them. Example embodiments may be implemented using a computer program product, e.g., a computer program tangibly embodied in an information carrier, e.g., in a machine-readable medium for execution by, or to control the operation of, data processing apparatus, e.g., a programmable processor, a computer, or multiple computers. 
     A computer program can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, and it can be deployed in any form, including as a standalone program or as a module, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers at one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communication network. 
     In example embodiments, operations may be performed by one or more programmable processors executing a computer program to perform functions by operating on input data and generating output. Method operations can also be performed by, and apparatus of example embodiments may be implemented as, special-purpose logic circuitry, e.g., a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). 
     The computing system can include clients and servers. A client and server are generally remote from each other and typically interact through a communication network. The relationship of client and server arises by virtue of computer programs running on the respective computers and having a client-server relationship to each other. In embodiments deploying a programmable computing system, it will be appreciated that both hardware and software architectures merit consideration. Specifically, it will be appreciated that the choice of whether to implement certain functionality in permanently configured hardware (e.g., an ASIC), in temporarily configured hardware (e.g., a combination of software and a programmable processor), or in a combination of permanently and temporarily configured hardware may be a design choice. Below are set out hardware (e.g., machine) and software architectures that may be deployed, in various example embodiments. 
     Software Architecture 
       FIG. 11  is a block diagram  1100  illustrating a software architecture  1102 , which may be installed on any one or more of the devices described above.  FIG. 11  is merely a non-limiting example of a software architecture, and it will be appreciated that many other architectures may be implemented to facilitate the functionality described herein. The software architecture  1102  may be implemented by hardware such as a machine  1200  of  FIG. 12  that includes processors  1210 , memory  1230 , and I/O components  1250 . In this example, the software architecture  1102  may be conceptualized as a stack of layers where each layer may provide a particular functionality. For example, the software architecture  1102  includes layers such as an operating system  1104 , libraries  1106 , frameworks  1108 , and applications  1110 . Operationally, the applications  1110  invoke application programming interface (API) calls  1112  through the software stack and receive messages  1114  in response to the API calls  1112 , according to some implementations. 
     In various implementations, the operating system  1104  manages hardware resources and provides common services. The operating system  1104  includes, for example, a kernel  1120 , services  1122 , and drivers  1124 . The kernel  1120  acts as an abstraction layer between the hardware and the other software layers in some implementations. For example, the kernel  1120  provides memory management, processor management (e.g., scheduling), component management, networking, and security settings, among other functionality. The services  1122  may provide other common services for the other software layers. The drivers  1124  may be responsible for controlling or interfacing with the underlying hardware. For instance, the drivers  1124  may include display drivers, camera drivers, Bluetooth® drivers, flash memory drivers, serial communication drivers (e.g., Universal Serial Bus (USB) drivers), Wi-Fi® drivers, audio drivers, power management drivers, and so forth. 
     In some implementations, the libraries  1106  provide a low-level common infrastructure that may be utilized by the applications  1110 . The libraries  1106  may include system libraries  1130  (e.g., C standard library) that may provide functions such as memory allocation functions, string manipulation functions, mathematic functions, and the like. In addition, the libraries  1106  may include API libraries  1132  such as media libraries (e.g., libraries to support presentation and manipulation of various media formats such as Moving Picture Experts Group-4 (MPEG4), Advanced Video Coding (H.264 or AVC), Moving Picture Experts Group Layer-3 (MP3), Advanced Audio Coding (AAC), Adaptive Multi-Rate (AMR) audio codec, Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG or JPG), or Portable Network Graphics (PNG)), graphics libraries (e.g., an OpenGL framework used to render in two dimensions (2D) and three dimensions (3D) in a graphic context on a display), database libraries (e.g., SQLite to provide various relational database functions), web libraries (e.g., WebKit to provide web browsing functionality), and the like. The libraries  1106  may also include a wide variety of other libraries  1134  to provide many other APIs to the applications  1110 . 
     The frameworks  1108  provide a high-level common infrastructure that may be utilized by the applications  1110 , according to some implementations. For example, the frameworks  1108  provide various graphic user interface (GUI) functions, high-level resource management, high-level location services, and so forth. The frameworks  1108  may provide a broad spectrum of other APIs that may be utilized by the applications  1110 , some of which may be specific to a particular operating system or platform. 
     In an example embodiment, the applications  1110  include a home application  1150 , a contacts application  1152 , a browser application  1154 , a book reader application  1156 , a location application  1158 , a media application  1160 , a messaging application  1162 , a game application  1164 , and a broad assortment of other applications such as a third-party application  1166 . According to some embodiments, the applications  1110  are programs that execute functions defined in the programs. Various programming languages may be employed to create one or more of the applications  1110 , structured in a variety of manners, such as object-orientated programming languages (e.g., Objective-C, Java, or C++) or procedural programming languages (e.g., C or assembly language). In a specific example, the third-party application  1166  (e.g., an application developed using the Android™ or iOS™ software development kit (SDK) by an entity other than the vendor of the particular platform) may be mobile software running on a mobile operating system such as iOS™, Android™ Windows® Phone, or other mobile operating systems. In this example, the third-party application  1166  may invoke the API calls  1112  provided by the mobile operating system (e.g., the operating system  1104 ) to facilitate functionality described herein. 
     Example Machine Architecture and Machine-Readable Medium 
       FIG. 12  is a block diagram illustrating components of a machine  1200 , according to some example embodiments, able to read instructions from a machine-readable medium (e.g., a machine-readable storage medium) and perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein. Specifically,  FIG. 12  shows a diagrammatic representation of the machine  1200  in the example form of a computer system, within which instructions  1216  (e.g., software, a program, an application, an applet, an app, or other executable code) for causing the machine  1200  to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein may be executed. In alternative embodiments, the machine  1200  operates as a standalone device or may be coupled (e.g., networked) to other machines. In a networked deployment, the machine  1200  may operate in the capacity of a server machine or a client machine in a server-client network environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. The machine  1200  may comprise, but not be limited to, a server computer, a client computer, a personal computer (PC), a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a netbook, a set-top box (STB), a personal digital assistant (PDA), an entertainment media system, a cellular telephone, a smart phone, a mobile device, a wearable device (e.g., a smart watch), a smart home device (e.g., a smart appliance), other smart devices, a web appliance, a network router, a network switch, a network bridge, or any machine capable of executing the instructions  1216 , sequentially or otherwise, that specify actions to be taken by the machine  1200 . Further, while only a single machine  1200  is illustrated, the term “machine” shall also be taken to include a collection of machines  1200  that individually or jointly execute the instructions  1216  to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein. 
     The machine  1200  may include processors  1210 , memory  1230 , and I/O components  1250 , which may be configured to communicate with each other via a bus  1202 . In an example embodiment, the processors  1210  (e.g., a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC) processor, a Complex Instruction Set Computing (CISC) processor, a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Radio-Frequency Integrated Circuit (RFIC), another processor, or any suitable combination thereof) may include, for example, a processor  1212  and a processor  1214  that may execute the instructions  1216 . The term “processor” is intended to include multi-core processors that may comprise two or more independent processors (also referred to as “cores”) that may execute instructions contemporaneously. Although  FIG. 12  shows multiple processors, the machine  1200  may include a single processor with a single core, a single processor with multiple cores (e.g., a multi-core processor), multiple processors with a single core, multiple processors with multiple cores, or any combination thereof. 
     The memory  1230  may include a main memory  1232 , a static memory  1234 , and a storage unit  1236  accessible to the processors  1210  via the bus  1202 . The storage unit  1236  may include a machine-readable medium  1238  on which are stored the instructions  1216  embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions described herein. The instructions  1216  may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory  1232 , within the static memory  1234 , within at least one of the processors  1210  (e.g., within the processor&#39;s cache memory), or any suitable combination thereof, during execution thereof by the machine  1200 . Accordingly, in various implementations, the main memory  1232 ., the static memory  1234 , and the processors  1210  are considered machine-readable media  1238 . 
     As used herein, the term “memory” refers to a machine-readable medium  1238  able to store data temporarily or permanently and may be taken to include, but not be limited to, random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), buffer memory, flash memory, and cache memory. While the machine-readable medium  1238  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, or associated caches and servers) able to store the instructions  1216 . The term “machine-readable medium” shall also be taken to include any medium, or combination of multiple media, that is capable of storing instructions (e.g., instructions  1216 ) for execution by a machine (e.g., machine  1200 ), such that the instructions, when executed by one or more processors of the machine (e.g., processors  1210 ), cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies described herein. Accordingly, a “machine-readable medium” refers to a single storage apparatus or device, as well as “cloud-based” storage systems or storage networks that include multiple storage apparatus or devices. The term “machine-readable medium” shall accordingly be taken to include, but not be limited to, one or more data repositories in the form of a solid-state memory (e.g., flash memory), an optical medium, a magnetic medium, other non-volatile memory (e.g., Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM)), or any suitable combination thereof. The term “machine-readable medium” specifically excludes non-statutory signals per se. 
     The I/O components  1250  include a wide variety of components to receive input, provide output, produce output, transmit information, exchange information, capture measurements, and so on. In general, it will be appreciated that the I/O components  1250  may include many other components that are not shown in  FIG. 12 . The I/O components  1250  are grouped according to functionality merely for simplifying the following discussion and the grouping is in no way limiting. In various example embodiments, the I/O components  1250  include output components  1252  and input components  1254 . The output components  1252  include visual components (e.g., a display such as a plasma display panel (PDP), a light emitting diode (LED) display, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a projector, or a cathode ray tube (CRT)), acoustic components (e.g., speakers), haptic components (e.g., a vibratory motor), other signal generators, and so forth. The input components  1254  include alphanumeric input components (e.g., a keyboard, a touch screen configured to receive alphanumeric input, a photo-optical keyboard, or other alphanumeric input components), point-based input components (e.g., a mouse, a touchpad, a trackball, a joystick, a motion sensor, or other pointing instruments), tactile input components (e.g., a physical button, a touch screen that provides location and force of touches or touch gestures, or other tactile input components), audio input components (e.g., a microphone), and the like. 
     In some further example embodiments, the  110  components  1250  include biometric components  1256 , motion components  1258 , environmental components  1260 , or position components  1262 , among a wide array of other components. For example, the biometric components  1256  include components to detect expressions (e.g., hand expressions, facial expressions, vocal expressions, body gestures, or eye tracking), measure biosignals (e.g., blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, perspiration, or brain waves), identify a person (e.g., voice identification, retinal identification, facial identification, fingerprint identification, or electroencephalogram-based identification), and the like. The motion components  1258  include acceleration sensor components (e.g., accelerometer), gravitation sensor components, rotation sensor components (e.g., gyroscope), and so forth. The environmental components  1260  include, for example, illumination sensor components (e.g., photometer), temperature sensor components (e.g., one or more thermometers that detect ambient temperature), humidity sensor components, pressure sensor components (e.g., barometer), acoustic sensor components (e.g., one or more microphones that detect background noise), proximity sensor components (e.g., infrared sensors that detect nearby objects), gas sensors (e.g., machine olfaction detection sensors, gas detection sensors to detect concentrations of hazardous gases for safety or to measure pollutants in the atmosphere), or other components that may provide indications, measurements, or signals corresponding to a surrounding physical environment. The position components  1262  include location sensor components (e.g., a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver component), altitude sensor components (e.g., altimeters or barometers that detect air pressure from which altitude may be derived), orientation sensor components (e.g., magnetometers), and the like. 
     Communication may be implemented using a wide variety of technologies. The I/O components  1250  may include communication components  1264  operable to couple the machine  1200  to a network  1280  or devices  1270  via a coupling  1282  and a coupling  1272 , respectively. For example, the communication components  1264  include a network interface component or another suitable device to interface with the network  1280 . In further examples, the communication components  1264  include wired communication components, wireless communication components, cellular communication components, Near Field Communication (NFC) components, Bluetooth® components (e.g., Bluetooth® Low Energy), Wi-Fi® components, and other communication components to provide communication via other modalities. The devices  1270  may be another machine or any of a wide variety of peripheral devices (e.g., a peripheral device coupled via a USB). 
     Moreover, in some implementations, the communication components  1264  detect identifiers or include components operable to detect identifiers. For example, the communication components  1264  include Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag reader components, NFC smart tag detection components, optical reader components (e.g., an optical sensor to detect one-dimensional bar codes such as Universal Product Code (UPC) bar code, multi-dimensional bar codes such as Quick Response (QR) code, Aztec code, Data Matrix, Dataglyph, MaxiCode, PDF417, Ultra Code, Uniform Commercial Code Reduced Space Symbology (UCC RSS)-2D bar code, and other optical codes), acoustic detection components (e.g., microphones to identify tagged audio signals), or any suitable combination thereof. In addition, a variety of information can be derived via the communication components  1264 , such as location via Internet Protocol (IP) geolocation, location via Wi-Fi® signal triangulation, location via detecting an NFC beacon signal that may indicate a particular location, and so forth. 
     Transmission Medium 
     In various example embodiments, one or more portions of the network  1280  may be an ad hoc network, an intranet, an extranet, a virtual private network (VPN), a local area network (LAN), a wireless LAN (WLAN), a wide area network (WAN), a wireless WAN (WWAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), the Internet, a portion of the Internet, a portion of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), a plain old telephone service (POTS) network, a cellular telephone network, a wireless network, a Wi-Fi® network, another type of network, or a combination of two or more such networks. For example, the network  1280  or a portion of the network  1280  may include a wireless or cellular network and the coupling  1282  may be a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) connection, a Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) connection, or another type of cellular or wireless coupling. In this example, the coupling  1282  may implement any of a variety of types of data transfer technology, such as Single Carrier Radio Transmission Technology (1xRTT), Evolution-Data Optimized (EVDO) technology, General Packet Radio Service (CPRS) technology, Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) technology, third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) including 3G, fourth generation wireless (4G) networks, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Long Term Evolution (LTE) standard, others defined by various standard-setting organizations, other long range protocols, or other data transfer technology. 
     In example embodiments, the instructions  1216  are transmitted or received over the network  1280  using a transmission medium via a network interface device (e.g., a network interface component included in the communication components  1264 ) and utilizing any one of a number of well-known transfer protocols (e.g., Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)). Similarly, in other example embodiments, the instructions  1216  are transmitted or received using a transmission medium via the coupling  1272  (e.g., a peer-to-peer coupling) to the devices  1270 . The term “transmission medium” shall be taken to include any intangible medium that is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying the instructions  1216  for execution by the machine  1200 , and includes digital or analog communications signals or other intangible media to facilitate communication of such software. 
     Furthermore, the machine-readable medium  1238  is non-transitory (in other words, not having any transitory signals) in that it does not embody a propagating signal. However, labeling the machine-readable medium  1238  as “non-transitory” should not be construed to mean that the medium is incapable of movement; the medium should be considered as being transportable from one physical location to another. Additionally, since the machine-readable medium  1238  is tangible, the medium may be considered to be a machine-readable device. 
     Language 
     Throughout this specification, plural instances may implement components, operations, or structures described as a single instance. Although individual operations of one or more methods are illustrated and described as separate operations, one or more of the individual operations may be performed concurrently, and nothing requires that the operations be performed in the order illustrated. Structures and functionality presented as separate components in example configurations may be implemented as a combined structure or component. Similarly, structures and functionality presented as a single component may be implemented as separate components. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements fall within the scope of the subject matter herein. 
     Although an overview of the inventive subject matter has been described with reference to specific example embodiments, various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader scope of embodiments of the present disclosure. Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred to herein, individually or collectively, by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any single disclosure or inventive concept if more than one is, in fact, disclosed. 
     The embodiments illustrated herein are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the teachings disclosed. Other embodiments may be used and derived therefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. The Detailed Description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of various embodiments is defined only by the appended claims, along with the full range of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. 
     As used herein, the term “or” may be construed in either an inclusive or exclusive sense. Moreover, plural instances may be provided for resources, operations, or structures described herein as a single instance. Additionally, boundaries between various resources, operations, modules, engines, and data stores are somewhat arbitrary, and particular operations are illustrated in a context of specific illustrative configurations. Other allocations of functionality are envisioned and may fall within a scope of various embodiments of the present disclosure. In general, structures and functionality presented as separate resources in the example configurations may be implemented as a combined structure or resource. Similarly, structures and functionality presented as a single resource may be implemented as separate resources. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements fall within a scope of embodiments of the present disclosure as represented by the appended claims. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.