Abstract:
A system and method for activating a parking meter by utilizing a cell phone. An account is established with the parking authority, and the cell phone is used to contact the parking authority, identify the meter and service desired, obtain a code, and enter the code in the meter to initiate the service. In one embodiment, the code is generated using a time dependent encrypted clock method. In one embodiment, the parking meter may communicate with the cell phone on a wireless link to start or stop the meter, the wireless link may be BLUETOOTH®, ZIGBEE®, infrared, or other short range wireless link. An in-car meter embodiment is also described.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention pertains generally to the field of parking meters, and more particularly to the field of payment systems for parking meters. 
         [0003]    2. Background of the Invention 
         [0004]    Parking meters are traditionally configured to receive cash in the form of coins or bills, such as dollar bills. However, in today&#39;s world of checks, credit cards and other forms of plastic money, one does not usually have a pocket full of quarters for the parking meter and must often make a special trip to a local merchant to obtain a few coins for parking. This takes extra time for the driver and the merchant, adds aggravation, and tends to make one avoid metered parking whenever possible. 
         [0005]    Furthermore, in some areas, parking rates are high enough that regular parking requires a large number of quarters and frequent trips to the meter. Some parking meters now take five and ten dollar bills and may accumulate enough money to attract thieves that saw off the whole meter late at night to get the cash, generating damage far in excess of the theft. 
         [0006]    Systems are beginning to be available to address these problems by providing a smart card payment method whereby a digital card is inserted into the meter and fees are deducted from the card. Typically, one must obtain a special card, creating new issues and problems regarding the obtaining and funding of the card. 
         [0007]    Therefore, there is a need for systems and methods for more convenient and secure payment methods for parking meters and related devices. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    Briefly, the present invention relates to a system and method for activating a parking meter by utilizing a cell phone. An account is established with the parking authority, and the cell phone is used to contact the parking authority, identify the meter and service desired, obtain a code, and enter the code in the meter to initiate the service. In one embodiment, the code is generated using a time dependent encrypted clock method. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment, the parking meter may communicate with the cell phone on a wireless link to start or stop the meter, the wireless link may be BLUETOOTH®, ZIGBEE® infrared, or other short range wireless link. 
         [0010]    In one embodiment, an in-car meter may be used. The in-car meter includes a display, keypad and clock and may include a wireless transceiver. A patron calls the parking authority, identifies the parking space or lot, receives a code, and enters the code in the in-car meter. The in-car meter displays a valid in-use display. 
         [0011]    The account may be a credit card account or other account. Billing may be monthly, by accumulated balance, or by each transaction, or by pay in advance. Municipal authorities may add the bill to a resident&#39;s water or other utility bill. 
         [0012]    These and further benefits and features of the present invention are herein described in detail with reference to exemplary embodiments in accordance with the invention. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
         [0013]    The present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. Additionally, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the drawing in which the reference number first appears. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  shows an exemplary parking meter in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2A  shows the meter on a pole with a telephone number posted on the pole. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2B  is a schematic diagram for the parking meter of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 2C  is a system diagram including a cell phone and an authorization server. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary code table for use with the parking meter of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  illustrates code sequence generation using the code wheel. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  illustrates how code time is updated using the code table of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  illustrates a set of codes for delivering multiple products or services. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary method for distributing phone numbers to parking meters within the range of a particular cell tower. 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  shows an exemplary list of installed parking meters with associated locations. 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  shows a layout of installed meters with instructions on how to find a parking space. 
           [0025]      FIGS. 10A-10E  illustrate an exemplary sequence of cell phone screens for parking using the meter in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIGS. 11A-11E  show a sequence of cell phone displays near the end of the parking time. 
           [0027]      FIGS. 12A-12E  show a sequence of cell phone displays for finding an empty parking space. 
           [0028]      FIGS. 13A-13E  illustrate a sequence using a wireless link to the meter. 
           [0029]      FIGS. 14A-14E  show various information that may be displayed relating to parking using the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 15  illustrates the use of an in-car parking meter in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 16  shows a view of the in-car personal parking meter with the remaining parking time displayed. 
           [0032]      FIG. 17  is a rear view of the in-car personal parking meter showing battery installation and activation instructions. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0033]    The present invention relates to a system and method for operating a parking meter or related device which may be operated using information communicated over a cell phone or Personal Digital Assistant (also referred to as a PDA) or other device which includes a cell phone. The system requires no cash or coins or credit cards or other special cards at the meter location. The cell phone is used to access a server which provides a code for the product or service desired and bills an account set up with the server. The parking meter does not need to be connected by phone line or power line or otherwise to be activated. Thus, the meter may utilize low cost simple installation and may fit into existing meter mounts without requiring the tearing up of sidewalk or pavement to install a new phone line or other communication interconnect. The meter does not need a special card reader or credit card reader or other complex device and thus may be very simple and reliable. A further advantage of the simple design is that it may consume very little power, allowing extended run times on a battery and potentially allowing the meter to run on solar power. 
         [0034]      FIG. 1  shows an exemplary parking meter  100  in accordance with the present invention. The parking meter  100  of  FIG. 1  may provide a number of services related to parking time. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the parking meter  100  comprises a display  104  for showing the time remaining, a keypad  106  for entering an enabling code, a processor  110  for processing the enabling code and running the meter display  104 , and a clock  112 . The parking meter  100  also may include a wireless interface  114  for communicating various information to and from the meter  100  including entering the enabling code. In one embodiment, the parking meter has no keypad  106  and all communication is via the wireless interface  114  (also referred to as wireless transceiver). In another embodiment, the parking meter has no wireless interface  114  and all communication is via the keypad  106 . In still another embodiment, both the keypad  106  and wireless interface  114  are included. The meter  100  may also include one or more light emitting diodes (LED&#39;s)  108  to indicate status such as valid and expired time. The meter is enclosed in a meter housing  102 , which includes a mounting flange  116 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 2A  shows the meter  100  on a pole  202  with a telephone number  204  posted on the pole  202 . In one embodiment, the telephone number  204  may be from a block of telephone numbers and the telephone number  204  may identify the particular meter being used. In another embodiment, a meter identification number is a separate number (not shown) posted with the telephone number  204  on the pole  202 , on the meter  100  or generally near the meter. The meter identification number may be an alphanumeric string including letters, symbols, or punctuation as well as numeric characters. 
         [0036]      FIG. 2B  is a schematic diagram for the parking meter of  FIG. 1 . Referring to  FIG. 2B , the parking meter comprises a processor  110  connected to a display  104  for displaying the parking time, a keypad  106  (optional) for entering the enabling code, a battery  206  and memory  208 , a clock  112  for determining the parking time and for use with coding, and a wireless link  114  (optional) for communicating enabling the enabling code, meter identification, and other data as desired or necessary for the particular application. The meter  100  also may include one or more light emitting diodes  108 , (LED&#39;s) (optional) for indicating status. The processor receives inputs from the keypad  106  or wireless link  114  and generates a code to be compared with the enabling code provided through either the keypad  106  or wireless link  114 . When a match is found, the parking time is displayed on the display  104 . The processor  110  may flash the LED  108  for warnings or to indicate overtime parking as described below. 
         [0037]      FIG. 2C  is a system diagram including a cell phone and an authorization server (also referred to as a central server, or server). Referring to  FIG. 2C , the system comprises a meter  100 , including a code generator  210  (typically a function of the processor of  FIG. 2B ), a processing center  216  having a central server  218  with a matching code generator  222 . The server  218  is connected over a telephone interface  217  to a communication network (including a cell phone network  214 ) for requesting an enabling code and delivering the code to the meter  100 . In one embodiment, a system user (alternatively referred to as a patron) serves as the communication link between the cell phone  212  and the meter  100  by entering the parking meter identification  204  printed on the meter into the cell phone  212 , and by entering the resulting enabling code shown on the cell phone display into the meter  100  using the keypad  106 . In another embodiment, the wireless link  114  provides the communication between the cell phone  212  and the meter  100 . 
         [0038]    The operation of the system is flexible allowing code entry using the keypad  106  or wireless interface  114 , depending on the hardware available in the meter  100  and the cell phone  212 . 
         [0039]    For operation with the keypad  106 , a user calls the number  204  indicated, preferably using the cell phone  212 , and contacts the central server  218 . The user may then provide the meter number. The meter number may be entered using the keypad or by speaking, if voice recognition is implemented in the server. The central server  218  then computes an enabling code based on the meter number and provides the enabling code to the user via the cell phone  212 . As shown, the enabling code is four digits. The user enters the four digit enabling code into the meter  100  using the keypad  106  and the meter  100  generates a corresponding internal code. If the meter internal code value and entered values agree, the meter  100  shows a valid display  104  and begins tiring the parking time. The parking time will typically be the maximum allowed for that location, for example two hours. Upon returning to the car, the user may call again and receive a second number for turning off the meter  100 . When the meter  100  is turned off, the user&#39;s account in the user database  224  will be billed for the time used. If the user does not turn off the meter, the account will be billed for the full time. In one embodiment, the user must read a validation code from the meter and communicate that code to the server to turn off the billing. 
         [0040]    If the user drives off without turning off the meter, the meter will continue to show time left and a second user may use that time, as is common practice with current coin operated meters. A second user, calling from a different phone linked to a different account may add time to the meter, if desired. The second user, however, may not turn off the meter (terminate the parking time). This would prevent a second party from generating a violation for the first user by turning off the meter while the car is still parked in the space. 
         [0041]    One embodiment of the parking meter may include a wireless interface  114  for communicating with the cell phone  212 . A number of types of wireless interfaces are typically used with cell phones including infrared, Bluetooth, WIFI and others. Bluetooth is becoming popular and is expected to be widely used in the future. In accordance with the present invention, any wireless interface which is in use now with cell phones or becomes popular in the future may be used with the present invention. One skilled in the art should be able to adapt a popular well known wireless interface to perform the functions of the present invention. 
         [0042]    The wireless interface  114  may be used to enter the enabling code and/or to read the meter identification code (ID) so that the cell phone may send the meter ID code to the central server  218  and the server  218  may communicate the enabling code to the meter  100  without human intervention. Thus, the process of starting the parking meter may be fully automated once initiated by the user. 
         [0043]    For operation using the wireless interface  114 , the user parks the car and calls the number posted on the meter  100 . Cell phone software then will link to the meter  100  and receive the meter identification number from the meter  100 . The meter identification number is then sent to the central server  218 . The central server  218  then finds the meter and associated code generation information in the server meter database  220 , generates  222  the enabling code using the code generation information and provides the enabling code through the server telephone interface  214  to the cell phone  212 . The cell phone  212  may then deliver the enabling code to the meter  100  over the wireless interface  114  automatically. 
         [0044]    A further advantage of the wireless interface is that the meter may report meter health, battery level, tampering attempts or other information back to the server. Not only is the wireless interface more automated, requiring less operator action and inviting less operator error, the wireless interface may be made more secure by using longer enabling code numbers, longer meter ID numbers and/or more secure protocols. 
         [0045]    One advantage of the electronic billing is that multiple levels of overtime charges and violations may be issued. For example, a one hour meter may charge $1.00 for the first hour. For thirty minutes beyond the hour, the charge may be $3.00. For the next 30 minutes, the charge may be $5.00. After the second 30 minutes in violation, a cell phone ticket may be issued for $25.00. As a further advantage, the automated ticketing process will save time and expense for the parking enforcement authority. 
         [0046]    One embodiment of the meter may include LED&#39;s  108 , which may be used to indicate parking status, such as valid time or violation. For example, a Green LED may be shown to indicate valid parking time. An Orange LED may be used to indicate a minor violation, such as the first or second thirty minutes overtime as described above, and a flashing Red LED may be used to indicate that the overtime ticket is issued. 
         [0047]    The processing center may also include a user database  224  and may bill the user for parking time. In order to park using the system, the user must first establish an account with the processing center. Accounts may include credit card accounts, other credit accounts, pay in advance accounts, or accounts that are tied to existing utility accounts or other accounts. Billing for parking may occur after each parking event or the processing center may accumulate parking time for a period, for example one month, before billing the user. When the user calls the processing center, the call may automatically be linked to the account by using the caller ID feature and associating the cell phone number with the account. Linking the cell phone number with the account enables the elimination of the step of entering an account number, thus saving time and effort for the user. An account number may be required where the cell provider or user blocks the caller ID. As a further optional security feature, a PIN number or password may be required by some systems. 
         [0048]      FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary code table for use with the parking meter of  FIG. 1 . A number of codes may be suitable for use with the present invention. One purpose of the code is to prevent unauthorized use and allow authorized use of the parking meter. Thus, the code should not be easily predictable from past performance or from other meters. The code should change from use to use at the same meter and should be different at different meters. One method of changing the code is to include time as one of the code parameters. Other methods may be used as are known in the art. Any code meeting the basic requirements may be used with the present invention. One such code is now described with reference to  FIG. 3 . The table of  FIG. 3  is shown as a round table  300 , also referred to as a wheel, to illustrate the cyclic nature of the code. The code of  FIG. 3  provides an encrypted time value that is updated every minute and changes every minute. The coded time value starts at a known start time  302 , which is synchronized with the time of the server so that the server may generate an identical sequence of coded time values. Each meter may start at a different time and/or may use a different table, resulting in a different sequence of coded time values. The server will know the start time and table values for each meter and thus may generate a coded time value for any given meter at any given time. 
         [0049]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the table actually has 360 entries per revolution, one entry per degree. Each one-degree increment has a four digit code associated with the increment. Seven exemplary values of the 360 values are shown at the seven radial lines  304 . The code for each radial  304  is shown as the four digit value  306  at each radial. Five circles  308  are shown for generating five different code sequences. Each different code sequence may be used for a different meter service. The use of different code sequences for different services will be discussed later. 
         [0050]    Four digits are preferably used for the enabling code that is entered using the keypad. More digits may be used, but become difficult to remember and enter. Fewer digits may be used, but fewer digits allow a greater probability of a random entry match. Even with four digits some people may be tempted to enter four digits at random to see if they accidentally match and start the meter without calling in and getting charged for the time. This practice can be discouraged by flashing a warning when a wrong number is entered and disabling further entry for a timeout period of, for example, one minute, after the third wrong number is entered. Thus, it would take many hours of entering numbers to achieve a 50% chance of getting free parking—not an economically viable activity, and the perpetrator would likely attract attention in the process. Further, the system may include a map of all parking spaces logged into the server. The map may be available to the traffic police in their patrol cars, or to anyone looking for an available parking space. If a car is found with valid time on the meter and not logged in, a heavy fine may be imposed. 
         [0051]    The operation of the code wheel table will now be discussed with reference to  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 4  illustrates code sequence generation using the code wheel. Referring to  FIG. 4 , an initial code value is selected at random upon startup of the meter. The code value selected along with the startup time is reported to the server so that the server code may match the meter code. The server also has a copy of the code table in the meter. Alternatively, at start up, the server may download all of this information to the meter over the wireless link or a hard wired connection. (not shown). Other techniques differing in detail may be used to synchronize the server and meter at startup. 
         [0052]    The meter changes the code value periodically. For this example, the code changes once each minute  410 . At the end of each minute, the first two digits  402  of the code value are used to increment the code position on the code wheel. Referring to  FIG. 4  the code value at position  00  is 3620. The first two digits  402  at code position  00  are  36 , thus the code position is advanced  36  positions  404  to position  36 , and the new code value is 4215. The next increment  406  is thus  42 . At the end of the next minute, the code position is advanced  42  positions  408  to position  78  where the code value is 3584 and so on for each subsequent minute. The server may maintain a similar clock or calculation to generate the enabling code. 
         [0053]    The code values for each ring may be derived by generating random or pseudorandom numbers. It is preferable that the same code value is not listed twice on the same meter. For systems with more than one code ring, the code values found on one ring should not be found on another ring to prevent ambiguity in identification of services. It is preferable that each meter have a different code table; although it is possible to operate all meters on the same code table and use a different start time for each meter. When generating code tables, it may be found that not all numbers are used when the code cycles through the wheel. This should not be a problem as long as enough numbers are used to prevent frequent occurrences of repeat code values. 
         [0054]      FIG. 5  illustrates how code time is updated using the code table of  FIG. 3 . Code time, i.e., the time clock in the meter from which the code is generated, may drift over time relative to the server time, since the meters are typically isolated, or unconnected to a common source which may regularly update time. Referring to  FIG. 5 , if the incoming enabling code number  502  differs from the meter current code number  504 , but equals the code number for a minute earlier or later  502  (or two minutes earlier or later), the meter may accept the code and may change the meter clock to agree with the time implied by the incoming enabling code  502 . Alternatively, several incoming code differences in the same direction may be required to illicit a change in the meter clock, or a small change may be made in the direction of the difference. 
         [0055]    Alternatively, in a meter having a wireless interface, the server may send a time value along with each code value. The time value may be used to match the associated code value and may be used to reset the meter clock for use with future code values entered via the keypad from cell phones not having a wireless interface. 
         [0056]      FIG. 6  illustrates a set of codes for delivering multiple services. Referring to  FIG. 6 , five rings are shown. Each ring has 360 entries, one for each degree. Seven of the 360 radials are shown for illustration purposes. Note that the entries for each radial and each ring are different. The five rings may be used to generate five different code sequences. In  FIG. 6 , the five exemplary services available are:
       1) one half hour parking  602 ,   2) one hour parking  604 ,   3) long term parking  606 ,   4) reserve parking  608 , and   5) special parking  610 .         
         [0062]    When a user calls and identifies the meter, the user may also identify the service requested. The server then generates a code for that service according to the code ring for that service. When the meter receives the enabling code, the code will match for the desired service and the meter will then provide the desired parking time service. For example, for the one half hour parking  602 , the meter will display 30 minutes and count down from 30 minutes. For one hour parking  604 , the meter will count down from 60 minutes. For long term parking  606 , the meter will display “Long Term” and bill according to the long term rate when the parking is completed, and accordingly for reserve parking  608  and special parking  610 . 
         [0063]    In one embodiment, the telephone number may include information identifying the meter, i.e., a block of numbers may be allocated for parking meter use and the specific number identifies a specific parking meter. The block of numbers may be reused where other information, such as cell tower coverage can be used to resolve the ambiguity between two instances of the same number. In another embodiment, a meter number may be posted on the meter and entered after calling the telephone number. 
         [0064]      FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary arrangement  700  for distributing phone numbers to parking meters within the range of a particular cell tower. In the embodiment of  FIG. 7 , a block of 10,000 phone numbers, preferably 800 numbers with the least significant four digits set aside (800 nnn-0000 to 800 nnn-9999) for parking meter use. Each phone number is assigned to a single parking meter within the range of a particular cell tower. The phone numbers may be reused in adjacent cell towers coverage area. The server will interrogate which cell tower is receiving the call and identify the meter within that cell tower coverage range. Referring to  FIG. 7 , the numbers are arranged with the high value 9999 digits at the cell boundary and decreasing as the meters are closer to the cell tower. 
         [0065]      FIG. 8  shows an exemplary list of installed parking meters with associated locations. The latitude and longitude are shown for each meter as well as the owner of the meter. The server facility may be provided by a contractor operating meters for several cities. The association of each meter with the associated city allows collection of taxes to be appropriately allocated. 
         [0066]      FIG. 9  shows a layout of installed meters as an aid in locating an empty parking space.  FIG. 9  represents a screen image that may be displayed showing parking spaces occupied and one empty parking space. The streets  908  are labeled so that one can navigate to the empty parking space  902 . A driver in a vehicle  904  contacts the server, and the wireless transceiver contacts the nearest meter  906  to determine its meter number. The server then determines the car  904  position and gives directions to the nearest empty parking space  902 . The screen image of  FIG. 9  may be displayed on the user&#39;s cell phone or PDA and may also be available to anyone on the Internet or to the local traffic police. 
         [0067]      FIGS. 10A-10E  illustrate an exemplary sequence of cell phone screens for parking using the meter in accordance with the present invention.  FIG. 10A  shows the cell phone calling the number printed on the meter.  FIG. 10B  shows the user selecting one hour parking.  FIG. 10C  shows the user entering the meter number.  FIG. 10D  shows the resulting enabling code to be entered into the meter using the keypad.  FIG. 10E  shows a display on the cell phone indicating time left. The meter will also display the same remaining time. The cell phone or PDA may run an application to provide features such as displaying remaining time or finding parking spaces. Alternatively, a web site may be used to provide this information to the user. 
         [0068]      FIGS. 11A-11E  show a sequence of cell phone displays near the end of the parking time. Referring to the figures,  FIG. 11A  shows a warning on the cell phone or PDA that the meter time will expire in 10 minutes.  FIG. 11B  shows a warning that the meter time will expire in 2 minutes.  FIG. 11C  shows a warning that the meter time has expired.  FIG. 11D  notifies the user that a ticket has been issued.  FIG. 11E  allows the user to view ticket details. 
         [0069]      FIGS. 12A-12E  show a sequence of cell phone displays for finding an empty parking space. Referring to the figures,  FIG. 12A  shows a user selecting the function of finding a parking space.  FIG. 12B  shows the cell phone interrogating the closest parking meter.  FIG. 12C  shows the cell phone sending the meter number or position to the parking server. (A cell phone may also include a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) system receiver to determine position, or the cell system may have the capability to determine position).  FIG. 12D  shows the parking server sending directions to the closest empty parking space to the user.  FIG. 12E  shows the directions being displayed to the user. This sequence is shown graphically in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0070]      FIGS. 13A-13E  illustrate a sequence using a wireless link to the meter. Referring to the figures,  FIG. 13A  shows the user calling the  800  number printed on the meter.  FIG. 13B  shows the cell phones wireless transceiver linking with and interrogating the closest parking meter.  FIG. 13C  shows the cell phone sending the meter number to the parking server and receiving the enabling (activation) code for the meter.  FIG. 13D  shows the cell phone sending the enabling code to the meter over the wireless interface to start the parking time.  FIG. 13E  shows the cell phone display showing the remaining parking time. The meter will also show the same remaining parking time. 
         [0071]      FIGS. 14A-14E  show various information that may be displayed relating to parking using the present invention. Referring to the figures,  FIG. 14A  shows the time and displays a message indicating that no parking is allowed for the given time range.  FIG. 14B  shows how safety information or temporary status information may be displayed.  FIG. 14C ,  FIG. 10D  and  FIG. 10E  show how specific local information may be displayed. 
         [0072]      FIG. 15  illustrates the use of an in-car parking meter in accordance with the present invention.  FIG. 15  shows a view of the in-car meter  1502  with the meter number shown on the display  104 . The in-car parking meter is a device that may be hung on the rear view mirror, using the hanger 1504  as shown, and registers parking time as a normal meter. The in-car meter may include a keypad  106  and/or a wireless interface, just as the curbside meter of  FIG. 1 . The functional block diagrams of  FIGS. 2B and 2C  also describe the curbside meter  1502  and associated system. The in-car parking meter is started in the same way as the curbside meter. The parking space will have an identification number. The user calls the server and gives the parking space number. The user may also give the meter ID, but alternatively the meter ID may be registered with the user cell phone number and need not be provided. The server then provides an enable code, which is then entered into the meter using the keypad (or automatically transferred using the wireless link, if provided). The meter then times the parking (also referred to as metering the parking time) and displays remaining parking time. When the user returns and wishes to terminate the parking time, the user calls the server and obtains a stop code, which is entered to stop the meter. 
         [0073]      FIG. 16  shows a view of the in-car personal parking meter with the remaining parking time shown in the display  104 . The meter number and parking time displays may alternate. 
         [0074]      FIG. 17  is a rear view of the in-car personal parking meter showing battery installation and activation instructions  1702 . 
       Conclusion 
       [0075]    The present invention has been described above with the aid of functional building blocks illustrating the performance of specified functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of the description. Alternate boundaries can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships thereof are appropriately performed. Any such alternate boundaries are thus within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention. One skilled in the art will recognize that these functional building blocks can be implemented by discrete components, application specific integrated circuits, processors executing appropriate software and the like or any combination thereof. 
         [0076]    While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.