Patent Publication Number: US-9905094-B1

Title: Stabilize and status alert device for a refuse can

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/205,015 filed on Aug. 14, 2015, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to refuse cans and, more particularly, to a stabilizer and status alert device for a refuse can. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     One (1) of the many chores that plague our everyday lives is the taking out of trash from wastebaskets and other sources commonly found in the American household. Most of the times such trash is placed into large trash cans located outside the home. While some homes have dedicated locations that protect trash cans from the environment, most trash cans are exposed to the elements and possibly to animals. Thus, under windy conditions or as a result of animal intrusion, trash cans are often blown or knocked over, which can scatter trash around the yard of the trash can owner and, potentially, neighboring yards as well. This presents a situation that is not only unsightly, but unsanitary as well. Additionally, even cans that are protected in a garage must spend time each week at the curb for trash collection, where they are exposed to the same problems. 
     Accordingly, there exists a need for a means to prevent or reduce the problems described above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventor has recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and lack in the art and observed that there is a need for a device that protects refuse cans from being knocked over and, in the event the refuse can is knocked or blown over, notifies the owner of the can of the knocked over condition of the can. The development of the present invention, which will be described in greater detail herein, fulfills this need. 
     In one (1) embodiment, the disclosed stabilizer and status alert device for a refuse can includes a base configured to support the refuse can in an upright position, a retaining feature configured to releasably couple the refuse can to the base, and an alert system configured to deliver a status notification to a user device in response to the refuse can be uncoupled from the base. 
     In another embodiment, the disclosed device for a refuse can includes a refuse can including a bottom surface, a mounting plate connected to the bottom surface of refuse can, wherein the mounting plate is made of a ferromagnetic material, a base including a configured to support surface configured to contact the bottom surface of the refuse can and support the refuse can in an upright position, and a plurality of magnets connected to the base and configured to magnetically attach to the mounting plate to releasably couple the refuse can to the base. 
     In another embodiment, the disclosed device for a refuse can includes a refuse can including a bottom surface, a mounting plate connected to the bottom surface of refuse can, wherein the mounting plate is made of a ferromagnetic material, a base including a configured to support surface configured to contact the bottom surface of the refuse can and support the refuse can in an upright position, a plurality of magnets connected to the base and configured to magnetically attach to the mounting plate to releasably couple the refuse can to the base, and an alert system configured to deliver a status notification to a user device in response to the refuse can be uncoupled from the base, wherein the alert system includes at least one sensor configured to generate alarm signal in response to detecting a change in a condition of the refuse can, a processor electrically coupled to the at least one sensor, a transmitter electrically coupled to the processor, a power supply electrically coupled to the at least one sensor, the processor and the transmitter, and memory storing instructions, that when executed by the processor, causes the processor to set a baseline condition of the refuse can, interpret the alarm signal by comparing the condition to the baseline condition, generate an alert in response to the change in the condition, and wirelessly transmit the alert as the status notification to the user device. 
     In yet another embodiment, the disclosed method includes the steps of 1). releasably coupling a refuse can to a base in an upright position; 2). setting a baseline condition of the refuse can; 3). detecting a change in a condition of the refuse can; 4). generating an alarm signal in response to detecting the change in the condition; 5). interpreting the alarm signal by comparing the condition to the base condition; 6). generating an alert signal in response to the change in the condition; and 7). wirelessly transmitting the alert signal as a status notification to a user device. 
     Furthermore, the described features and advantages of the disclosure may be combined in various manners and embodiments as one skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The disclosure can be practiced without one (1) or more of the features and advantages described in a particular embodiment. 
     Further advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental front view of a stabilizer and status alert device for a refuse can, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an environmental top perspective view of the stabilizer and status alert device for a refuse can, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic block diagram of a wireless communications environment in which the stabilizer and status alert device for a refuse can operates, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 4  is a flow diagram of a method for alerting a user of the status of a refuse can, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  stabilizer and status alert device 
               12  base 
               14  support surface 
               16  retaining feature 
               18  interior 
               20  magnet 
               22  weighting material 
               24  mounting plate 
               26  anchor 
               30  solar cell array 
               32  alert system 
               34  sensor 
               36  processor 
               38  memory 
               40  fill port 
               42  power supply 
               44  transceiver 
               46  antenna 
               50  refuse can 
               52  lid 
               54  refuse can bottom surface 
               56  user device 
               58  app 
               60  network 
               100  method 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In accordance with the invention, the best mode is presented in terms of a preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 4 . However, the invention described herein is not limited to a single described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the disclosure and that any such work around will also fall under its scope. 
     Further, those skilled in the art will recognize that other styles and configurations can be incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure, and that the example configurations shown and described herein are for the purpose of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation. 
     As used herein, the singular terms “a”, “an”, and “the” do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one (1), as well as a plurality of, the referenced items, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , disclosed herein is a refuse can stabilizer and status alert device, herein referred to as a device  10 , where like reference numerals represent similar or like parts. Referring to  FIG. 4 , also disclosed herein is a method for stabilizing and alerting the status of a refuse can, herein referred to as a method  100 . Embodiments of the disclosed device  10  and method  100  provide a means to stabilize a refuse can  50  in order to maintain the refuse can  50  in a desired upright position and location and prevent the refuse can from being knocked over when empty or full. Embodiments of the disclosed device  10  and method  100  further provide a means to monitor the status of the refuse can  50 , for example, when the refuse can  50  has been moved, emptied or otherwise uncoupled from the base  12 , and alert the user of the status of the refuse can  50 . 
       FIG. 2  is an environmental front view of the disclosed device  10 , according to a preferred embodiment. The device  10  includes a base  12 . The base  12  is configured to be coupled to and support and retain at least one (1) refuse can  50 . In other embodiments, the device  10  also includes the refuse can  50 . 
     In the various embodiments of the disclosed device  10 , the refuse can  50  includes any waste receptacle, such as a container or bin used to accommodate trash, recyclables, green waste and the like. As an example, the refuse can  50  is a large bin, such as those used for residential trash and recycling collection by a waste management organization. In some example, the refuse can  50  includes a removal lid  52 . In some examples, the refuse can  50  includes two (2) or more wheels. 
     The base  12  is configured to be placed on any ground support surface, for example, outdoors, such as on the ground, near a curb, on a driveway and the like. The base  12  is configured to support and retain the refuse can  50  in the upright position. In one (1) example implantation of use, the base  12  may be placed in a suitable location for trash collection purposes, for example, near a curb or other collection location. In another example implementation of use, the base  12  may be placed in any outdoor location where the refuse can  50  may be located for any length of time. 
     As an example, and as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the base  12  may be configured to support and retain one (1) refuse can  50 . As another example (not shown), the base  12  may be configured to support and retain more than one (1) refuse can  50 . In either example, the base  12  suitably spaces multiple refuse cans  50  apart, for example, for trash collection. 
     In an example, the base  12  is made of a durable plastic material. As an example, the base  12  may be made of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic. In one (1) example construction, the plastic used to make the base  12  contains at least a portion of recycled content, thus making the disclosed device  10  an environmentally friendly option for the consumer. 
     The base  12  includes dimensions suitable to prevent the coupled refuse can  50  from flipping the base  12 . As an example, the base  12 , whether a single base  12  configured to support multiple refuse cans  50  or a plurality of bases  12  each configured to support one (1) refuse can  50 , may also include dimensions suitable to space multiple refuse cans  50  apart a sufficient distance to allow for manual or machine (e.g., garbage truck) removal of the refuse can  50  from the base  12  for emptying and/or trash collection. As an example construction, the dimensions of the base  12  include approximately thirty inches (30 in.) wide, approximately thirty inches (30 in.) deep, and approximately six inches (6 in.) high. In other examples, different dimensions may also be used. 
     In an example embodiment, the base  12  is configured to be placed as desired and remain firmly in place on the ground support surface, for example, when placed at a desired location for supporting the refuse can  50 . As examples, the base  12  would be placed at or near the curb for garbage pickup and/or placed near the home where the refuse cans  100  are regularly stored between collection. 
     In an example construction, the base  12  is formed by a plurality of walls or sides, such as one (1) or more of a top side or wall, a bottom side or wall, a front side or wall, a back side or wall, a left side or wall and/or a right side or wall. In different example constructions, one or more of the sides or walls may be omitted. As an example, in certain embodiments, the base  12  does not include the bottom side or wall. 
     As one (1) example of this embodiment, the base  12 , for example, formed by the one (1) or more sides or walls, includes a hollow interior  18 . The interior  18  may be filled with a weighting material  22 . As an example implementation of this embodiment, the hollow interior  18  of the base  12  may be configured to be filled with the weighting material  22 , for example, by the end user. In such an example, the base  12  includes a fill port  40  disposed through the support surface  14  that provides access to the interior  18  of the base  12 . In this example, the base  12  also includes a removable cap or cover (not shown) to cover the fill port  40  and completely enclose the interior  18 . As another example implementation of this embodiment, interior  18  of the base  12  may be prefilled with the weighting material  22 , for example, by the manufacturer. 
     In either of the example implementation, the weighting material  22  includes a mass (e.g., a weight) greater than the expected weight of the refuse can  50  when filled with trash, recyclables, green waste and the like in order to prevent the refuse can  50  from flipping the base  12  over. As examples, the weighting material  22  may include water, sand, dirt, rocks, concrete, gravel, combinations thereof, or any other material having a relatively high mass (e.g., large weight) relative to size or volume. 
     In another example of this embodiment, the base  12  includes at least one (1) anchor  26 . The anchor  26  is configured to secure (e.g., couple) the base  12  to the ground support surface. In an example, and as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the anchor  26  is connected, for example, rigidly connected to an underside (e.g., bottom) surface of the base  12  and extends downwardly to penetrate the ground support surface. As examples, the anchor  26  may include a pigtail anchor, a spike, and the like. In another example (not shown), a plurality of anchors  26  is connected to the top and/or side surfaces of the base  12  and extends outwardly for attachment to an external fastener, tie, spike, or the like. 
     In yet another example, the base  12  includes a combination of both the interior  18  filled with the weighting material  22  and the anchor  26 . The choice between the weighting material  22 , the anchor  26 , or the weighting material  22  and the anchor  26  may depend on various factors including the type of ground surface upon which the base  12  rests (e.g., dirt, concrete, asphalt, etc.) and/or the expected overall combined weight of the refuse can  50  and a full load of trash within the refuse can  50 . 
     In another example embodiment, the base  12  is integrated within the ground surface, for example, buried underground or formed within a driveway at or near the curb for garbage pickup and/or placed near the home where the refuse cans  100  are regularly stored between collection. In this example embodiment, the weighting material  22  and/or anchor  26  may be unnecessary. 
       FIG. 2  is an environmental top perspective view of the disclosed device  10 , according to a preferred embodiment. The base  12  includes a support surface  14  configured to support a refuse can  50  in the upright position. As an example, a refuse can bottom surface  54  may make contact with and rest upon the support surface  14 . In the preferred embodiment, the support surface  14  defines at least a portion of a top surface of the base  12 . 
     The base  12  also includes a retaining feature  16  configured to retain the refuse can  50  in the upright position. The retaining feature  16  is configured to releasably couple the refuse can  50  to the base  12 . As an example, the retaining feature  16  is configured to engage the refuse can bottom surface  54 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, the retaining feature  16  includes at least one (1) magnet  20 . As an example, the magnet  20  or plurality of magnets  20  is a permanent magnet. As another example, the magnet  20  or plurality of magnets  20  is an electromagnet. In one (1) example construction, the magnets used as the magnets  20  of the retaining feature  16  includes least a portion of recycled content (e.g., recycled speaker magnets), thus making the disclosed device  10  an environmentally friendly option for the consumer. 
     As an example, and as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the retaining feature  16  includes three (3) magnets  20 . In other examples (not shown), the retaining feature  16  may include any other number (e.g., one (1), two (2), four (4), etc.) of magnets  20 . 
     In this embodiment, the device  10  also includes a mounting plate  24 . The mounting plate  24  is made of a ferromagnetic material that is attracted to the magnet  20 . Thus, in this example, the refuse can  50  is magnetically attached to the base  12 . 
     Depending upon the embodiment, the mounting plate  24  may be installed on an existing refuse can or may be a part of a refuse can manufactured for use with the device  10 . In one (1) example, and as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the mounting plate  24  is attached to an underside of the refuse can bottom surface  54 , for example, by mechanical fasteners, adhesives, or any other suitable fastening mechanism. In another example (not shown), the mounting plate  24  is integrated into the refuse can bottom surface  54 , for example, during manufacture of the refuse can  50 . 
     Embodiments of the device  10  may include magnets  20  having different sizes, strengths, and positional configuration relative to the base  12 . As an example, when a single magnet  20  is used, a larger and/or stronger magnet  20  may be used. As an example, when a single magnet  20  a relatively large magnet  20  may be suitably sized to cover a sufficient portion of the refuse can bottom surface  54  or mounting plate  24  to prevent the refuse can  50  from being knocked over. Alternatively, as another example, a relatively strong magnet  20  may be of sufficient strength to prevent the refuse can  50  from being knocked over. In an example construction, a single large and/or strong magnet  20  may be positioned approximately in the center of the base  12 . 
     As another example, when a plurality of magnets  20  is used, smaller and/or weaker magnets  20  may be used. As an example, a sufficient plurality of smaller magnets  20  may be suitably sized and/or collectively be arranged (e.g., in a triangular arrangement, a circular arrangement, a radial arrangement, etc.) to cover a sufficient portion of the refuse can bottom surface  54  or mounting plate  24  to prevent the refuse can  50  from being knocked over. Alternatively, as another example, a plurality of weaker magnets  20  may collectively be of sufficient strength to prevent the refuse can  50  from being knocked over. In an example construction, and as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a plurality of (e.g., three (3)) magnets  20  may be positioned approximately in the center of the base  12  and/or arranged in any geometric configuration extending outwardly from the center to perimeter edges of the base  12 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, the magnet  20  or plurality of magnets  20  is positioned flush with or just underneath the support surface  14  of the base  12  in order to allow the magnets  20  to be capable of magnetically mating with the magnetic mounting plate  24  that is attached to or otherwise integral with the refuse can bottom surface  54 . The base  12  has a low profile design to allow a lawn mower to pass over the base  12  without damaging the device  10 . 
     While the illustrated embodiment depicts the retaining feature  16  as one (1) or more magnets  20 , in other embodiments, different types of retaining features  16  may be used. As an example, the retaining feature  16  may include one (1) or more releasable clips or clamps or similar mechanical retaining mechanism. 
     These features provide several benefits and/or advantages. First, the magnets  20  prevent high winds from blowing over and/or animals from knocking over empty or full refuse cans  100 , thus keeping the user&#39;s yard, street and neighborhood clean. Second, in the case of multiple refuse cans  100 , multiple bases  12  ensure that multiple refuse cans  100  are properly spaced at the curbside pickup point in order to ensure that the automated pickup arms of garbage trucks can properly operate Finally, the mounting plate  24 , when attached to the underside surface of the refuse can bottom surface  54  prevents scuffing damage to the bottom of the refuse can  50 . 
     In the various embodiments, the base  12  can be personalized or customized to enhance its appeal. As an example, the base  12  may be discreetly colored to blend in with the user&#39;s yard or curbside location. As another example, the base  12  may include colors, words, phrases, logos and the like associated with various interests of the user. 
     While the device  10  (e.g., the retaining feature  16 ) is intended and designed to prevent the refuse can  50  from being unintentionally uncoupled from the base  12 , for example, when knocked or blown over, in certain conditions and in response to certain events, the refuse can  50  may still become uncoupled from the base  12 . 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic block diagram of the disclosed device  10 , according to a preferred embodiment. The device  10  also includes an alert system  32  configured to notify the user regarding the status of the refuse can  50 . As an example, the alert system  32  may notify the user that the refuse can  50  is no longer in contact with the base  12 , for example, that the refuse can  50  has been knocked or blown over. As another example, the alert system  32  may notify the user that trash collection has been completed and the refuse can  50  has been emptied and is ready to be returned to its stored location. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the device  10  and, particularly, the alert system  32  operates in wireless communication environment. The device  10  (e.g., the alert system  32  of the device  10 ) includes at least one (1) sensor  34 , a processor  36 , memory  38 , a transceiver  44  and an antenna  46 . The sensor  34 , the processor  36 , the memory  38  and the transceiver  44  are disposed within or otherwise attached to the base  12 . 
     The sensor  34  is configured to detect different status conditions of the refuse can  50 . The sensor  34  is coupled to the processor  36 . Upon the sensor  34  detecting one or more predetermined status conditions of the refuse can  50 , an alarm signal is transmitted to and processed by the processor  36 . In response to the alarm signal, an alert signal is transmitted to the transceiver  44 , which then transmits and delivers the alert signal or status notification to a user device  56 . 
     Generally, the sensor  34  is any device configured to detect changes in and/or capture data from its environment. As an example, the sensor  34  may detect that the refuse can  50  has been uncoupled (e.g., removed) from the base  12 . In this example, the sensor  34  may include a light (e.g., IR) sensor, a motion sensor, a proximity sensor, a pressure sensor and the like. As another example, the sensor  34  may detect a change in the weight of the refuse can  50 , for example, before and after trash collection. In this example, the sensor  34  may include a weight sensor. 
     The processor  36  includes decision logic configured to interpret various different alarm signals generated by the sensor  34 . The memory  38  includes instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to determine the status condition of the refuse can  50  and determine whether to transmit the alert (e.g., deliver the notification) to the user device  56  based on the input signals from the sensor  34 . Various different alarm signals based on the status condition of the refuse can  50  and the associated alerts are also stored on the memory  38 . 
     The transceiver  44  includes any suitable radio frequency (RF) transmission device configured to wirelessly transmit and/or receive data. As an example, the transceiver  44  includes a digital or analog transmitter and/or receiver. 
     Communication between the device  10  (e.g., the alert system  32 ) and the user device  56  may be established through various mediums. In an example, the alert system  32  is configured to deliver the alert or status notification directly to the user device  56 , for example, using a cellular telephone network), such as in the form of a text message. In another example, the alert system  32  is configured to deliver the alert or status notification to the user device  56  over a network  60 , for example, using a wireless local area network (WLAN) such as a local Wi-Fi network, such as in the form of a notification from the app  58  or delivery of an email. 
     The user device  56  may include any wireless user terminal capable of transmitting and/or receiving wireless transmissions of data. Examples of the user device  56  include a smartphone, a tablet, a personal computer, and the like. In certain embodiments, the user device  56  may include a dedicated application, or app  58 , for receiving and processing the alert signal from the alert system  32  and displaying the status notification to the user. 
     In an example embodiment, the processor  36  may be preprogrammed with responses to alarm signals from the sensor  34 . In another example embodiment, the processor  36  may be programmed locally or accessed remotely to enter preferences and other user settings. As an example, the user may enter their preferences any number of ways, including through a graphical user interface over the Internet, via the user device  56  (e.g., a smartphone or tablet), and/or other electronic means. 
     Non-limiting examples of preprogrammed alarm inducing status conditions and responses and/or user preferences may include: 1). if the refuse can  50  is instantaneously uncoupled from the base  12 ; 2). if the weight of the refuse can  50  changes; 3). if the refuse can  50  has remained uncoupled from the base  12  for a predetermined period of time; 4). the type of alert notification received by the user device  56  based on the associate alarm signal; 5). whether or not the notification is delivered and/or displayed to the user device  56  based on the they type of alarm signal, and the like. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the device  10  also includes a power supply  42  configured to provide operational power to the alert system  32 . In examples of the device  10  that utilize an electromagnet, the power supply  42  also provides operational power to the magnet  20 . As an example, and as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the power supply  42  includes a solar cell array  30 . 
     In an example, the solar cell array  30  is disposed on the support surface  14  (e.g., the top surface) of the base  12 . The solar cell array  30  is arranged at or near a perimeter of the base  12  outside of the area that supports the refuse can  50 . The solar cell array  30  include a plurality of photovoltaic cells. 
     The solar cell array  30  is configured to convert solar radiation into electricity. In an example, the solar cell array  30  directly powers the alert system  32 . In another example, the solar cell array  30  charges a rechargeable battery (not shown) disposed within the base  12 . In this example, the power supply  42  also includes the rechargeable battery and associated charging and power inverting electronics and components. 
     Accordingly, use of the disclosed device  10  allows the user to securely support and retain refuse cans to prevent them from being blown and/or knocked over and their contents from being scattered around the yard and/or street. Further, use of the disclosed device  10  allows the user to receive status notifications or alerts related to the condition of the refuse can  50 . 
       FIG. 4  is a flow diagram of the method  100  for alerting a user of the status of the refuse can  50 . First the refuse can  50  is coupled (e.g., magnetically) to the base  12  (step  102 ). Next, the alert system  32 , example, based on preprogrammed or user defined preferences, sets a baseline status condition for the refuse can  50  (step  104 ). For example, the baseline status condition may include the position of the refuse can  50 , the weight of the refuse can  50 , and the like. 
     Next, the sensor  34  monitors for (e.g., determines whether) a change in condition of the refuse can  50 , (e.g., determines whether a change in the condition of the refuse can  50  has occurred) (step  106 ). As described above, non-limiting examples of a change in condition of the refuse can  50  may include a change in position of the refuse can  50 , movement of the refuse can  50 , the refuse can  50  being uncoupled from the base  12 , a change in the weight of the refuse can  50 , and the like. 
     When (e.g., if) the alert system  32  (e.g., the sensor  34 ) detects a change in condition of the refuse can  50  (e.g., step  106 ), the alert signal or status notification is transmitted and delivered to the user device  56  (step  108 ). As examples, the alert of a change in condition may be delivered as a text message, a status notification from the app  58 , an email, and the like. 
     Accordingly, use of the disclosed device  10  and method  100  may notify the user (e.g., the homeowner) when the refuse can  50  has been emptied (e.g., trash collection has occurred), whether the refuse can  50  has been tampered with (e.g., moved, knocked over, etc.). The disclosed device  10  and method  100  may also provide the user with pattern information, such as the approximate time of regular trach collection or the time in which nuisance animal activity regularly occurs that tampers with the refuse can  50 . 
     The materials required to produce the device  10  are all readily available and well known to manufacturers of goods of this type. In an example construction, the base  10  may be made of plastic and/or recycled plastic in an injection molding process. Such a process would require the design and use of custom molds. The magnets  20 , metal mounting plates  24 , the sensor  34 , the processor  36 , the memory  38 , the power supply  42 , the antenna  44 , other electronic components of the alert system  32 , fasteners, adhesive, and the like, would best be procured from manufacturers and wholesalers that deal in goods of that nature and assembled at a final location. The relatively simple design of the device  10  and the material of construction make the device  10  a cost-effective design due to the relatively low material and labor costs involved. Final production of the device  10  will be performed by manufacturing workers of average skill. 
     While the present invention has been described in the context of a fully functioning data processing system, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the processes of the present invention are capable of being distributed in the form of a computer readable medium of instructions and a variety of forms and that the present invention applies equally regardless of the particular type of signal bearing media actually used to carry out the distribution. Examples of computer readable media include recordable-type media, such as a floppy disk, a hard disk drive, a RAM, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, and transmission-type media, such as digital and analog communications links, wired or wireless communications links using transmission forms, such as, for example, radio frequency and light wave transmissions. The computer readable media may take the form of coded formats that are decoded for actual use in a particular data processing system. 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize that other styles and configurations of the disclosed apparatus  10  can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure, and only particular configurations have been shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit to the precise forms disclosed and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain principles and practical application to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.