Patent Publication Number: US-2019197413-A1

Title: Forecasting for Resource Allocation

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present technology relates generally to resource allocation, and more particularly to data analytics for resource allocation. 
     SUMMARY 
     Various embodiments of the present technology include a method for forecasting resource utilization, the method comprising: receiving operating data from a resource; applying periodicity tests to the received operating data using a plurality of sketches of time series of prior operating data, the periodicity tests generating periodic components; applying regression models to the received operating data, the regression models collectively generating a trend component, each regression model being applied over a different time scale of a plurality of time scales; computing a trend model using the periodic components and regression components; determining a random process describing the historical evolution of the trend model; and calculating and providing a mean prediction, an upper bound, and a lower bound for resource utilization at a future time using the trend model and a predicted distribution. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Certain embodiments of the present technology are illustrated by the accompanying figures. It will be understood that the figures are not necessarily to scale and that details not necessary for an understanding of the technology or that render other details difficult to perceive may be omitted. It will be understood that the technology is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein. 
         FIG. 1  is a simplified block diagram of multiple resources, according to some embodiments. 
         FIGS. 2A-2E  illustrate operating data, according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 3  graphically depicts actual and forecasted operating data, in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 4 . is a simplified block diagram of computing architecture for practicing aspects of the present technology. 
         FIG. 5  is a simplified flow diagram of a method for forecasting operating data, in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram of a computing system, according to some embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     While this technology is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail several specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the technology and is not intended to limit the technology to the embodiments illustrated. It will be understood that like or analogous elements and/or components, referred to herein, may be identified throughout the drawings with like reference characters. It will be further understood that several of the figures are merely schematic representations of the present technology. As such, some of the components may have been distorted from their actual scale for pictorial clarity. 
     In various embodiments, operating data of resources is obtained over time, resulting in a series of data points indexed (or listed or graphed) in time order called a time series. For example, the time series is a sequence of data taken at successive equally spaced points in time. Time series can be used for forecasting, decision making, and resource allocation, where a model is used to predict future values (e.g., at a particular future time) based on previously observed values. 
     By way of further non-limiting example, embodiments of the present invention can determine: if (how likely is it that) memory will exceed 32 GB any time next week, if (how likely is it that) disk utilization will reach 100% before the end of tomorrow, if (how likely is it that) a factory will run out of capacity before the end of next month, if (how likely is it that) personnel will be needed (e.g., no scheduled vacation allowed) during the holiday season, if (how likely is it that) temporary personnel (e.g., contractors) will be needed to fill a shortage of regular personnel during the holiday season, if (how likely is it that) additional equipment will need to be rented in August, and the like. 
     Additionally or alternatively, a model can be used to predict a future time or range of times at which particular future values will likely occur based on previously observed values. For example, embodiments of the present invention determine when the preceding examples will occur with an associated confidence level. 
       FIG. 1  depicts system  100  of resources  110   1,1 - 110   A,B . Resources  110   1,1 - 110   A,B  can be virtual or physical, such as factories, data centers, equipment, vehicles (e.g., taxis, delivery vans, trucks, ships, airplanes, helicopters, drones, etc.), computing resources in a cloud computing environment (e.g., computer system/server, virtual machine, container, etc.), personnel (e.g., pilots, drivers, machine operators, technicians, etc.), combinations thereof, and the like. By way of example, resources  110   1,1 - 110   A,B  are owned and/or operated by one entity (e.g., an individual, company, government, etc.). By way of further non-limiting example, resources  110   1,1 - 110   A,B  are provided to an entity as a (on-demand) service, such as on-demand cloud computing platforms (e.g., Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform, Microsoft Azure, etc.). For example, resources  110   1,1 - 110   A,B  are physical and/or virtual computing resources (hosts) where each host runs software (e.g., an agent) for detecting/sensing/measuring and sending operating data to a system for resource utilization forecasting which will be described further in relation to  FIG. 3 . Computing resources (computer systems) and cloud platforms (cloud-based computing systems) are described further in relation to  FIG. 6   
     Although resources  110   1,1 - 110   A,B  are shown in an array, each of resources  110   1,1 - 110   A,B  can be disposed in same and/or different locations (e.g., factories, data centers, cities, counties, geographic regions, countries, continents, etc.). Each of resources  110   1,1 - 110   A,B  can include a communications link, such as a wired and/or wireless communications network (e.g., Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, mobile broadband, etc.) connection, radio, modem, network adapter, and the like, for communications with a system for resource utilization forecasting, which will be described further in relation to  FIG. 3 . Each of resources  110   1,1 - 110   A,B  can have operating data. Operating data can be data representing a present state of (e.g., data detected/sensed/measured at a particular time for) a resource. Taken over time, operating data can comprise a data series. 
     For example, vehicles can have operating data such as distance traveled, operating hours, fuel consumption, maximum speed, and the like. By way of further non-limiting example, personnel can have operating data such as hours on shift, number and duration of breaks, hours off duty, and the like. Taken over time, operating data can be a time series. By way of additional non-limiting examples,  FIGS. 2A-2E  show operating data  200 A- 200 E for physical/virtual (cloud) computing resources, such as CPU usage, memory usage, inbound data traffic, outbound data traffic, in packet loss, out packet loss, swap usage, memory usage vs. total memory, number of processes, and disk usage. Operating data can be for a particular one of resources  110   1,1 - 110   A,B  or a collection (set and/or subset) of resources  110   1,1 - 110   A,B  combined (e.g., averaged). Depending upon the type of resource, different operating data can be used. 
       FIG. 3  depicts graphical representation  300  of actual and forecasted time series. Graphical representation includes time axis  310 , quantity axis  320 , actual time series  330  and forecasted time series. Actual time series  330  can include actual operating data (e.g., data detected/sensed/measured for a resource at certain time). The forecasted time series includes mean forecasted time series  340 A, upper bound forecasted time series  340 B, and lower bound forecasted time series  340 C. Mean forecasted time series  340 A is a mean or average representing a central tendency of the operating data. Upper bound forecasted time series  340 B and lower bound forecasted time series  340 C can represent maximum and minimum forecasted values (e.g., distribution) of the operating data, respectively. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a simplified block diagram of system  400  for resource utilization forecasting. System  400  can include system  100  (e.g., resources  110   1,1 - 110   A,B  of  FIG. 1 ), network  410 , and analytics system  420 . Resources  110   1,1 - 110   A,B  were described above in relation to  FIG. 1  Network  410  can include various combinations and permutations of radios, modems, network adapters, wireless and/or wired data networks (e.g., Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, mobile broadband, the Internet, etc.), and the like for system  100  (e.g., resources  110   1,1 - 110   A,B ) to provide operating data to analytics system  420 . Network  410  is described further in relation to  FIG. 6 . 
     Analytics system  420  can include processor  422  and memory  424  for storing instructions. Memory  424  can include input interface module  430 , function module  440 , distribution module  450 , and allocation module  460 . As used herein, the terms “module” may also refer to any of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field programmable gate array (FPGA), application-specific standard product (ASSP), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) that executes one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and/or other suitable components that provide the described functionality. Analytics system  420  (computing system) is described further in relation to  FIG. 6 . 
     In some embodiments, analytics system  420  receives an input stream from system  100  (e.g., one or more of resources  110   1,1 - 110   A,B ) via input interface module  430 . An input stream may include individual and/or multiple data instances that are detected/sensed/measured over a period of time. Each data instance (or components thereof) may be time stamped so that a chronological order can be maintained for the data instances and/or include identifying information for the resource to which the individual data instance pertains. 
     According to some embodiments, function module  440  operates on a compressed representation of the (actual) time series, instead of storing large times series in mass storage, such as a disk. Function module  440  can operate in an “online” fashion using compressed representation of the time series as new actual operating data comes in, instead of operating from a large stored time series. For example, instead of storing all of the prior actual data (e.g., the whole time series), a sketch data structure holds summaries (sketches) of the time series. Sketch data structures can be used to store a summary of a data set in situations where the whole data would be prohibitively costly to store in a fast-access place like the memory as opposed to the hard disk. By way of further example, a collection of different sketches can be maintained by function module  440  for different time scales. 
     Function module  440  can estimate a function  x (t) (e.g., mean forecasted time series  320 A in  FIG. 3 ) using received new actual operating data from system  100  (e.g., one or more of resources  110   1,1 - 110   A,B ) and the sketches. An estimate of function  x (t) can also be referred to as a trend model. In various embodiments, estimating function  x (t) can include testing for seasonality (or periodicity) in the operating data (time series). Seasonality (or periodicity) is a characteristic of a time series in which the data experiences regular and predictable changes that recur every calendar year (or other time period). Any predictable change or pattern in a time series that recurs or repeats over a one-year (or other time) period can be said to be seasonal (or periodic). 
     Multiple sketches can be used to test for a range of seasonal (or periodic) components. Typically higher compression is used in sketches to test for longer periodicities in such a way that storage remains more or less fixed to summarize an expanding time window in a manner suitable for determining if seasonal (or periodic) components are present. According to various embodiments, hypothesis testing is performed to find if seasonal (or periodic) components are present in the data and, if so, those best explaining the observed patterns. Basically, hypothesis testing determines whether results are valid by calculating the probability that the results happened by chance. If results may have happened by chance, the results are undesirable. For example, hypothesis testing includes: a custom hypothesis test for fitting a variety of smooth periodic components (e.g., frequently occurring periodic components such as hourly, daily, weekly, weekend/weekday and daily, etc.); a custom hypothesis test for periodic spikes; and custom test for periodic component in the variance of the time series. In some embodiments, analysis of cyclic autocorrelation is also used to find possible arbitrary periodic components, which are included in the hypothesis testing process. These tests identify the seasonal (or periodic) components that should be added to the function  x (t). 
     According to various embodiments, estimating a function  x (t) also includes modeling a trend component in the data series using multiple regression models. The prediction for value(s) of the operating data at a future time (e.g., has not occurred, yet) can be broken down additively into a prediction from a trend component and a prediction from zero or more seasonal (or periodic) components. The regression models can operate on different time scales (e.g., being required to fit historical values of the operating data over different time spans). Each of the regression models can be updated with received new actual operating data from one or more of resources  110   1,1 - 110   A,B . In some embodiments, a space (memory) efficient online formulation of weighted least squares is used for each regression model. The formulation of weighted least squares advantageously supports the reduction in the significance of old data, at a specified rate, in a smooth fashion and so also supports operating at a specified time scale. The prediction from the regression models can be combined using a weighted mean to generate a prediction from the trend component. The weighting can be adjusted depending on how far into the future the prediction is being made. 
     The trend model can further compensate for spikes and step discontinuities. For example, the step discontinuities can be mitigated using an additive piecewise constant function. Testing for predictive calendar components can be performed. A variety of features, such as day of month, day until end of month, day of week, week of month, and the like can be considered. There can be additive corrections (e.g., a component included in the trend model) for each predictive calendar component. 
     In addition to producing the estimate of function  x (t) (trend model), function module can update the sketches and the components of the trend model to incorporate new actual operating data. 
     Distribution module  460  can determine a predicted distribution ƒ(x(t)| x (t)) (e.g., upper bound forecasted time series  320 B and lower bound forecasted time series  320 C in  FIG. 3 ) using the trend model. For example, a Wiener process is fitted to the trend regression model parameter time series. By way of further non-limiting example, the statistical properties of the time between step discontinuities and/or the signed magnitude of step discontinuities are modeled. The Wiener process and/or statistical properties of step discontinuities can be used to model plausible future changes in the actual values of the operating data x(t) over time. In some embodiments, a residual distribution of historical predictions can also be estimated in an online fashion, such as by fitting a distribution to {x(t i )− x (t i )} for (all) the actual data series (e.g., prior actual data). In order to produce an empirical estimate of ƒ(x(t)| x (t)) the Wiener process, step discontinuity model and residual distribution model can be sampled to generate multiple candidate future forecasts. 
     Allocation module  460  can use the estimate of function  x (t) (trend model) from function module  440  and predicted distribution ƒ(x(t)| x (t)) from distribution module  450  to provide a resource utilization forecast (e.g., all or part of graphical representation  300  in  FIG. 3 ; other graphs, charts, and data representations can be used). In some embodiments, the resource utilization forecast can be provided to decision makers in the entity for resource allocation decisions (e.g., bring new resources online; bring under-utilized resources offline such as for maintenance or sale; re-allocate resources to other projects, business units of the entity, or other entities; schedule resources such as for busy or slow periods, forecasting revenue, and the like). In various embodiments, allocation module  460  can communicate with other enterprise systems (not depicted in  FIG. 4 ) for resource scheduling, reservation, provisioning, and the like. For example, allocation module  460  based on forecasted utilization (demand) can decrease and/or increase a number of resources, schedule resources (e.g., vehicles and/or operators), and the like. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates method  500  for resource utilization forecasting, according to some embodiments. Although the steps of method  500  are depicted sequentially, the steps can be performed in a different order, sequentially, concurrently, and combinations thereof. Method  500  can be performed by all or part of system  400  ( FIG. 4 ). Method  500  can commence at step  510 , where new actual data is received. In some embodiments, new actual data is received using input interface module  430  ( FIG. 4 ). 
     At step  520 , all the existing trend model components are updated with the new data. For example, a trend component comprising several regression models over different time scales (as described above in relation to  FIG. 4 ) are updated with the new actual data. 
     At step  530 , at least one of new seasonality/periodicity, predictive calendar, spikes, and step discontinuity components can be added to the function  x (t) (trend model). For example, seasonality/periodicity, predictive calendar, spikes, and step discontinuity tests (as described above in relation to  FIG. 4 ) are applied to the new actual received data and sketches. These may decide to add additional components to the model. 
     Optionally at step  540 , the sketches can be re-generated or updated with the new actual data. In some embodiments, steps  520 - 540  are performed by function module  440  ( FIG. 4 ). 
     At step  550 , a predicted distribution ƒ(x(t)| x (t)) can be determined using the estimate of function  x (t) (trend model) (as described above in relation to  FIG. 4 ). Optionally at step  550 , the residual distribution of the historical predictions is estimated (not shown in  FIG. 5 ). In some embodiments, step  560  is performed by distribution module  450 . 
     At step  560 , a resource utilization forecast is produced using the estimate of function  x (t) (trend model) and predicted distribution ƒ(x(t)| x (t)) (as described above in relation to  FIG. 4 ). Optionally at step  560 , resources can be allocated (as described above in relation to  FIG. 4 ) (not shown in  FIG. 5 ). 
     Method  500  can be performed separately on different types of operating data. By way of non-limiting example, method  500  can be performed individually on CPU utilization, disk utilization, and memory utilization (sequentially or concurrently). Depending on the type of resource, method  500  can be applied individually to different types and/or combinations of operating data. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an exemplary computer system (or computing system)  600  that may be used to implement some embodiments of the present invention. The computer system  600  in  FIG. 6  may be implemented in the contexts of the likes of computing systems, networks, servers, or combinations thereof. The computer system  600  in  FIG. 6  includes processor unit(s)  610  and main memory  620 . Main memory  620  stores, in part, instructions and data for execution by processor unit(s)  610 . Main memory  620  stores the executable code when in operation, in this example. The computer system  600  in  FIG. 6  further includes a mass data storage  630 , portable storage device  640 , output devices  650 , user input devices  660 , a graphics display system  670 , and peripheral device(s)  680 . 
     The components shown in  FIG. 6  are depicted as being connected via a single bus  690 . The components may be connected through one or more data transport means. Processor unit(s)  610  and main memory  620  are connected via a local microprocessor bus, and the mass data storage  630 , peripheral device(s)  680 , portable storage device  640 , and graphics display system  670  are connected via one or more input/output (I/O) buses. 
     Mass data storage  630 , which can be implemented with a magnetic disk drive, solid state drive, or an optical disk drive, is a non-volatile storage device for storing data and instructions for use by processor unit(s)  610 . Mass data storage  630  stores the system software for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure for purposes of loading that software into main memory  620 . 
     Portable storage device  640  operates in conjunction with a portable non-volatile storage medium, such as a flash drive, floppy disk, compact disk, digital video disc, or Universal Serial Bus (USB) storage device, to input and output data and code to and from the computer system  600  in  FIG. 6 . The system software for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure is stored on such a portable medium and input to the computer system  600  via the portable storage device  640 . 
     User input devices  660  can provide a portion of a user interface. User input devices  660  may include one or more microphones, an alphanumeric keypad, such as a keyboard, for inputting alphanumeric and other information, or a pointing device, such as a mouse, a trackball, stylus, or cursor direction keys. User input devices  660  can also include a touchscreen. Additionally, the computer system  600  as shown in  FIG. 6  includes output devices  650 . Suitable output devices  650  include speakers, printers, network interfaces, and monitors. 
     Graphics display system  670  include a liquid crystal display (LCD) or other suitable display device. Graphics display system  670  is configurable to receive textual and graphical information and processes the information for output to the display device. 
     Peripheral device(s)  680  may include any type of computer support device to add additional functionality to the computer system. 
     The components provided in the computer system  600  in  FIG. 6  are those typically found in computer systems that may be suitable for use with embodiments of the present disclosure and are intended to represent a broad category of such computer components that are well known in the art. Thus, the computer system  600  in  FIG. 6  can be a personal computer (PC), hand held computer system, telephone, mobile computer system, workstation, tablet, phablet, mobile phone, server, minicomputer, mainframe computer, wearable, or any other computer system. The computer may also include different bus configurations, networked platforms, multi-processor platforms, and the like. Various operating systems may be used including UNIX, LINUX, WINDOWS, MAC OS, PALM OS, QNX, ANDROID, IOS, CHROME, and other suitable operating systems. 
     Some of the above-described functions may be composed of instructions that are stored on storage media (e.g., computer-readable medium). The instructions may be retrieved and executed by the processor. Some examples of storage media are memory devices, tapes, disks, and the like. The instructions are operational when executed by the processor to direct the processor to operate in accord with the technology. Those skilled in the art are familiar with instructions, processor(s), and storage media. 
     In some embodiments, the computing system  600  may be implemented as a cloud-based computing environment, such as a virtual machine and/or container operating within a computing cloud. In other embodiments, the computing system  600  may itself include a cloud-based computing environment, where the functionalities of the computing system  600  are executed in a distributed fashion. Thus, the computing system  600 , when configured as a computing cloud, may include pluralities of computing devices in various forms, as will be described in greater detail below. 
     In general, a cloud-based computing environment is a resource that typically combines the computational power of a large grouping of processors (such as within web servers) and/or that combines the storage capacity of a large grouping of computer memories or storage devices. Systems that provide cloud-based resources may be utilized exclusively by their owners or such systems may be accessible to outside users who deploy applications within the computing infrastructure to obtain the benefit of large computational or storage resources. 
     The cloud is formed, for example, by a network of web servers that comprise a plurality of computing devices, such as the computing system  600 , with each server (or at least a plurality thereof) providing processor and/or storage resources. These servers manage workloads provided by multiple users (e.g., cloud resource customers or other users). Typically, each user places workload demands upon the cloud that vary in real-time, sometimes dramatically. The nature and extent of these variations typically depends on the type of business associated with the user. 
     It is noteworthy that any hardware platform suitable for performing the processing described herein is suitable for use with the technology. The terms “computer-readable storage medium” and “computer-readable storage media” as used herein refer to any medium or media that participate in providing instructions to a CPU for execution. Such media can take many forms, including, but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media and transmission media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical, magnetic, and solid-state disks, such as a fixed disk. Volatile media include dynamic memory, such as system random-access memory (RAM). Transmission media include coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, among others, including the wires that comprise one embodiment of a bus. Transmission media can also take the form of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated during radio frequency (RF) and infrared (IR) data communications. Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, a hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM disk, digital video disk (DVD), any other optical medium, any other physical medium with patterns of marks or holes, a RAM, a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a Flash memory, any other memory chip or data exchange adapter, a carrier wave, or any other medium from which a computer can read. 
     Various forms of computer-readable media may be involved in carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions to a CPU for execution. A bus carries the data to system RAM, from which a CPU retrieves and executes the instructions. The instructions received by system RAM can optionally be stored on a fixed disk either before or after execution by a CPU. 
     Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of the present technology may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as JAVA, SMALLTALK, C++ or the like and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The program code may execute entirely on the user&#39;s computer, partly on the user&#39;s computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user&#39;s computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user&#39;s computer through any type of wired and/or wireless network, including a (wireless) local area network (LAN/WLAN) or a (wireless) wide area network (WAN/WWAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider, wireless Internet provider, and the like). 
     One skilled in the art will recognize that the Internet service may be configured to provide Internet access to one or more computing devices that are coupled to the Internet service, and that the computing devices may include one or more processors, buses, memory devices, display devices, input/output devices, and the like. Furthermore, those skilled in the art may appreciate that the Internet service may be coupled to one or more databases, repositories, servers, and the like, which may be utilized in order to implement any of the embodiments of the disclosure as described herein. 
     The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present technology has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the present technology in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present technology. Exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present technology and its practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the present technology for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 
     Aspects of the present technology are described above with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of the present technology. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
     These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
     The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
     The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present technology. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions. 
     In the following description, for purposes of explanation and not limitation, specific details are set forth, such as particular embodiments, procedures, techniques, etc. in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced in other embodiments that depart from these specific details. 
     Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” or “according to one embodiment” (or other phrases having similar import) at various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Furthermore, depending on the context of discussion herein, a singular term may include its plural forms and a plural term may include its singular form. Similarly, a hyphenated term (e.g., “on-demand”) may be occasionally interchangeably used with its non-hyphenated version (e.g., “on demand”), a capitalized entry (e.g., “Software”) may be interchangeably used with its non-capitalized version (e.g., “software”), a plural term may be indicated with or without an apostrophe (e.g., PE&#39;s or PEs), and an italicized term (e.g., “N+1”) may be interchangeably used with its non-italicized version (e.g., “N+1”). Such occasional interchangeable uses shall not be considered inconsistent with each other. 
     Also, some embodiments may be described in terms of “means for” performing a task or set of tasks. It will be understood that a “means for” may be expressed herein in terms of a structure, such as a processor, a memory, an I/O device such as a camera, or combinations thereof. Alternatively, the “means for” may include an algorithm that is descriptive of a function or method step, while in yet other embodiments the “means for” is expressed in terms of a mathematical formula, prose, or as a flow chart or signal diagram. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     It is noted at the outset that the terms “coupled,” “connected”, “connecting,” “electrically connected,” etc., are used interchangeably herein to generally refer to the condition of being electrically/electronically connected. Similarly, a first entity is considered to be in “communication” with a second entity (or entities) when the first entity electrically sends and/or receives (whether through wireline or wireless means) information signals (whether containing data information or non-data/control information) to the second entity regardless of the type (analog or digital) of those signals. It is further noted that various figures (including component diagrams) shown and discussed herein are for illustrative purpose only, and are not drawn to scale. 
     While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the system are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the system, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. For example, while processes or steps are presented in a given order, alternative embodiments may perform routines having steps in a different order, and some processes or steps may be deleted, moved, added, subdivided, combined, and/or modified to provide alternative or sub-combinations. Each of these processes or steps may be implemented in a variety of different ways. Also, while processes or steps are at times shown as being performed in series, these processes or steps may instead be performed in parallel, or may be performed at different times. 
     While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. The descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular forms set forth herein. To the contrary, the present descriptions are intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and otherwise appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art. Thus, the breadth and scope of a preferred embodiment should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments.