CLIAMS:I/We Claim:

1. A wireless washing service system configured to provide a plurality of washing services through a web or a mobile application installed on a user device, said system comprising:
a User Interface configured to input a plurality of washing mode conditions from a user;
a Washing Controller configured to control at least one operation of the washing mode; and
a Server configured to maintain web pages and digital content, wherein said server stores relevant information associated with said washing service system.
2. The Wireless washing service system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said system comprises at least one of a network, a washing machine, a detergent center, a service center and a plurality of user devices.
3. The Wireless washing service system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said washing machine is adapted to perform in a washing mode.
4. The wireless washing service system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the washing controller controls at least one operation of a washing mode, further wherein said washing mode is controlled according to the washing mode conditions inputted through user interface and at least one mode state sensed by a sensor unit.
5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the server comprises a plurality of databases, wherein said databases store information related to at least one of user devices, detergent centers, and server centers.
6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the server is configured to store at least secure information of the user.
7. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said user interface module is configured to display washing associated information, further wherein said washing associated information includes at least one of a washing progress status, current mode conditions, a remaining time.
8. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the detection module is configured to detect wear and tear in a motor of the washing machine and a decrease in a rotational speed of the motor.
9. A method of using a wireless washing service, said method configured to provide a plurality of washing services through a web or a mobile application installed on a user device, said method comprising:
using a User Interface configured to input a plurality of washing mode conditions from a user;
implementing a Washing Controller configured to control at least one operation of the washing mode; and
providing a Server configured to maintain web pages and digital content, wherein said server stores relevant information associated with said washing service method.
,TagSPECI:The following specification particularly describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:-

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] Embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to a laundry machine such as a washing machine. Embodiments relate more particularly to a laundry machine having a wireless communication controller for promoting user’s convenience by allowing the user to control and access a plurality of washing services.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0002] As technologies advance and convenience of living is pursued, people try to implement a convenient life style using a variety of home appliances. For example, automated washing machines, refrigerators, microwave ovens and so on make today’s life easy. As a result of home automation, personal terminals such as a personal computer or a mobile phone are used for inspecting the operation state and controlling operation of the electronic products. Further, present-day home automation allows the users to select one of plurality of modes pre-designed by a manufacturer. However, consumers concerns and desires for up gradation of home appliances are increasing. For example, washing machines, both industrial (i.e. large scale use) and home use are getting increasingly automated day by day.
[0003] In today’s market, few top brands already provide options for integrating the washing machines with home automation systems. Further, these existing techniques provide means for monitoring and controlling the washing machine remotely through a centralized switch or using computer networks and mobile devices (for example, using SMS). Particularly, these systems provide options for switching on and off of the washing machine and for selecting wash programs remotely which are then communicated to the processor of the washing machine.
[0004] In general, a user must frequently check a washing machine in use to recognize the state of a washing operation in progress, exhaustion of detergent, motor performance and so on. Moreover, the existing techniques do not allow complete remote monitoring for efficient use of washing machine. Especially for industrial scale washing machines used in laundries, it is important to closely monitor aspects such as exhaustion of detergent, motor performance and the like.
[0005] In the light of the above discussion, there appears to be a need for a system and method for reducing the burden on the users by providing an efficient mechanism for operating and monitoring washing machine remotely.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0006] In the accompanying figures, similar reference numerals may refer to identical or functionally similar elements. These reference numerals are used in the detailed description to illustrate various embodiments and to explain various aspects and advantages of the present disclosure.
[0007] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a Wireless Washing Service System for providing various wireless washing services, according to the embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a block diagram depicting the modules in a Washing controller associated with the Wireless Washing Service System, according to the embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0009] FIG. 3 depicts a flow diagram illustrating the basic flow of a method for providing various Wireless Washing Services using the Wireless Washing Service System, according to the embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0010] FIG. 4 illustrates a chart of the Wireless Washing Service System while detecting and providing detergent exhaustion Services, according to the embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0011] FIG. 5 illustrates a chart of the Wireless Washing Service System while detecting and providing services in case of faults in wear and tear, rotational speed or overall performance of the motor, according to the embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0012] FIG. 6 illustrates a chart of the Wireless Washing Service System while detecting and providing annual maintenance service contract services, according to the embodiments as disclosed herein; and
[0013] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a machine in the example form of a computer system 700 within which instructions for causing the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein may be executed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

[0014] The above-mentioned needs are met by a Wireless Washing Service System which provides various Washing services through a web or mobile application installed on a User device. Unlike the conventional Systems, the Wireless Washing Service System allows the Washing machine, Users, Server, Service centre, and a registered detergent vendor to communicate with each other through a data network.
[0015] Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein can be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0016] In an embodiment, the Wireless Washing Services System is a currently executing software application/program, or part of a currently executing computer program that can physically move from one computer to another (between hosts) while it is being executed. The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description.
[0017] Throughout the specification, the terms, ‘Wireless Washing Service System’ and ‘System’ are used interchangeably.
[0018] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 7, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown preferred embodiments.
[0019] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a Wireless Washing Service System for providing various Wireless Washing services, according to the embodiments as disclosed herein. As depicted in the FIG. 1, the Wireless Washing Service System 100 comprises a Network 102, a Washing machine 104, a Server 106, a Detergent centre 108, a Service centre 110 and one or more Users Devices 112a…112n (herein after referred as User Device 112) having a Washing Machine application 114.
[0020] The Washing machine 104 is adapted to perform a washing mode and includes a User interface for inputting various washing mode conditions from the user. The washing machine 104 includes a plurality of buttons and a sensor unit for sensing various mode states. For example, the mode state can be the amount of laundry, level of wash water, temperature of wash water and rotation speed of a motor required in the washing mode, and so on. The Washing machine 104 further includes a washing controller for controlling the entire operation of the washing mode according to the washing mode conditions inputted through the User interface and the mode states sensed by the sensor unit. Further, the Washing controller performs arithmetic and logical operations to control the entire system100. Additional details of the Washing controller are given below, in connection with FIG. 2.
[0021] In an embodiment, the Server 106 may have any suitable hardware or software configuration, or combination of hardware and software that is configured to store and distribute the digital content via the Network 102. Further, the Server 106 maintains web pages or other digital content in any conventional manner. In another embodiment, the Server 106 comprises one or more coordinate databases. Further, the coordination databases stores the information (for example, contact details) related to the User devices, detergent centers, and Service centers associated with the System 100. In certain embodiments, the Server 106 may be hosted and operated by one or more third-party service providers and/or may be accessed by developers through Network 102 using a developer computer.
[0022] In an embodiment, the Detergent center 108 can be any authorized registered vendor for delivering the detergent to the User. The service centre 110 includes the store from which the User bought the Washing machine 104. In an embodiment, the Server 106 stores all the relevant information associated with all aspects of the present subject matter. In an embodiment, the Server 106 stores the secure information of the User who has registered or logged on the website of the present invention.
[0023] In an embodiment, the Server 106 may be a graphical, hierarchical, relational, object-oriented or other database, and may be maintained on a local drive of server or on a separate computer coupled to server 106 via a local area or other network. The stored digital Content may be suitably retrieved from the Server 106 and provided to User device 112 upon request via the webpage associated with the Wireless Washing Service System 100.
[0024] In particular embodiments, the Server 106 includes mass storage for data or instructions. As an example and not by way of limitation, storage may include an HDD, a floppy disk drive, flash memory, an optical disc, a magneto-optical disc, magnetic tape, or a Universal Serial Bus (USB) drive or a combination of two or more of these. Storage may include removable or non-removable (or fixed) media, where appropriate. Storage may be internal or external to computer system, where appropriate. In particular embodiments, storage is non-volatile, solid-state memory. In particular embodiments, storage includes read-only memory (ROM). Where appropriate, this ROM may be mask-programmed ROM, programmable ROM (PROM), erasable PROM (EPROM), or flash memory or a combination of two or more of these.
[0025] The Network 102 represents the communication pathways among the Washing machine 104, the Server 106, the Detergent Centre 108, the Service centre 110, and the User devices 112. For example, the Washing machine 104 communicates with the Server 106 through the Network 102. The Network 102 may be any suitable type of wired and/or wireless network such as an Internet network or dedicated network that allows the Washing machine 102 to access the Server 104, the Detergent centre 108, the Service centre 110 and the User device 112. The User(s) communicates with the Washing machine 104 and other service centres via the Network 102 to send and/or receive data, such as HTML documents (web pages). The access comprises two-way communications including, but not limited to, upload, data input, download, data output and data streaming.
[0026] In an embodiment, the Network 102 can be a wireless network, wire line network, public network such as the Internet, private network, General Packet Radio Network (GPRS), Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), cellular network, Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), personal area network, and the like. For example, the network 106 can be operable with cellular networks, Wi-Fi networks, or any other networks or combination thereof.
[0027] The Network 102 can also utilize dedicated or private communications links that are not necessarily part of the Internet. In an embodiment, the Network 102 uses standard communications technologies and/or protocols such as Ethernet, 802.11, Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), and so on. Similarly, the networking protocols used on the Network 106 can include Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS), the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), the Hypertext Transport Protocol (HTTP), the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), the File Transfer Protocol (FTP), the Short Message Service (SMS) protocol, and so on.
[0028] The data exchanged over the Network 102 can be represented using technologies and/or formats including the HTML, the Extensible Markup Language (XML), the Extensible Hypertext Markup Language (XHTML), the compact HTML (cHTML), and the like. In addition, all or some of links can be encrypted using conventional encryption technologies such as, but not limited to the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), HTTP over SSL (HTTPS), and/or Virtual Private Networks (VPNs).
[0029] In an embodiment, the System 100 may be operably connected with (or included within) an enterprise network. The Enterprise network may further include one or more of email or exchange servers, enterprise application servers, internal application store servers, authentication (AAA) servers, directory servers, Virtual Private Network (VPN)/SSL gateways, firewalls, among other servers and components.
[0030] The Users communicates to the System 100 through their devices Via the Network 102. The devices may include any combination of hardware and software components configured to allow a user to communicate with over Network 102. The User device 112 can include various devices used by the user, and can include, for example, a mobile phone, a smart phone, a Portable Multimedia Player (PMP), and a tablet PC. In an embodiment, the User device 112 includes a Washing application which stores the optimal control data obtained from the System 100 and various programs. Further, the User device includes an input interface for inputting data or a command from the user and a display module for displaying input contents of the user and the operation of the User device 112. Further, in all the above cases the device is capable of storing program instructions that are executable to implement a browser program for displaying web pages (those hosted by system 100).
[0031] FIG. 2 is a block diagram depicting the modules in a Washing controller associated with the Wireless Washing Service System, according to the embodiments as disclosed herein. As depicted in the FIG. 2, the Washing Controller 104 comprises a User Interface Module 202, a Detection Module 204, a Communication Module 206, and a Memory 208.
[0032] The User Interface Module 202 is a user interface that allows the Users 108 to access the System 100. In an embodiment, the User Interface Module 202 is provided in the washing machine 104 to display washing-associated information which includes washing progress status, current mode conditions, a remaining time, and so on. The User Interface Module 202 allows the User 108 to access the content displayed in the System 100.
[0033] The Detection Module 204 is configured to continuously monitor the quantity of detergent consumed in the Washing machine 104. In an embodiment, the exhaustion of the detergent can be determined by using any suitable existing technique. Further, the Detection Module 204 detects the wear and tear in the washing machine 104 motor or any decrease in rotational speed or overall performance of the motor.
[0034] In an embodiment, the Detection Module 204 senses and gathers the information about the size and dirtiness of the clothes and also the amount of the detergent required. Further, based on this information, the Detection Module 204 determines the most suitable wash cycle, temperature, time, rinse cycle and spin.
[0035] The communication module 206 may include hardware, software, or both providing one or more interfaces for communication (such as, for example, packet-based communication) between the Washing machine 104, and the Server 106, Detergent Centre 108, the Service centre 110, and the User devices 112. As an example and not by way of limitation, communication interface may include a network interface controller (NIC) for communicating with an Ethernet or other wire-based network or a wireless NIC (WNIC) for communicating with a wireless network, such as a WI-FI network. This disclosure contemplates any suitable network and any suitable communication interface for it. As an example and not by way of limitation, system100 may communicate with an ad hoc network, a personal area network (PAN), a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), or one or more portions of the Internet or a combination of two or more of these. One or more portions of one or more of these networks may be wired or wireless. As an example, the System 100 may communicate with a wireless PAN (WPAN) (e.g., a BLUETOOTH WPAN), a WI-FI network (e.g., a 802.11a/b/g/n WI-FI network), a WI-MAX network, a cellular telephone network (e.g., a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network, a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network), or other suitable wireless network or a combination of two or more of these.
[0036] The communication module 206 is configured to establish a communication with the user device 112 using any of the communication modes mentioned above. Upon establishing the communication, the communication module 206 receives the location of the user device 112 and stores the location information in the Memory module 208.
[0037] The Memory module 208 stores and reads the data required for performing necessary operation in the Washing machine 104. The Memory Module 208 includes a Random Access Memory (RAM) and a Read Only memory (ROM).
[0038] In an embodiment, the Memory module 208 includes an external memory for downloading an upgraded, and modified or added version of a program related to the Washing Machine 104 function control from the Server 106.
[0039] FIG. 3 depict a flow diagram illustrating the basic flow of a method for providing various Wireless Washing Services using the Wireless Washing Service System, according to the embodiments as disclosed herein. At step 302, the method 300 includes configuring a User device with the Wireless washing service system 100. In an embodiment, the configuration includes inputting the device details to the Wireless washing Service System 100. The configuration details may also includes the details regarding to the detergent agent, service provider and the store. Further, the configuration details are transmitted to the Server 106 through the communication module 206.
[0040] Once the User device is configured successfully with the Wireless Washing Service System 100, the User can access the Washing Machine 104 remotely. For example, the operations may include switching on and off of the washing machine, selecting wash programs remotely and so on. In an embodiment, the Detection Module 204 senses the wash program and dispatches the desired amount of detergent required for the wash program with the help of a load sensor. Further, based on this information, the Detection Module 204 determines the most suitable wash cycle, temperature, time, rinse cycle and spin.
[0041] Further, at step 306, the Detection Module 204 continuously monitors the Washing machine 104 and determines the presence or not of a fault. In an embodiment, the Detection Module 204 monitors various parameters such as quantity of detergent remained, wear and tear in the Motor, rotational speed, overall performance and so on by using any suitable technique. In yet another embodiment, the Detection Module 204 monitors the performance of heater and solenoid valves for water intake.
[0042] At step 310, if the Detection Module 204 determines the presence of fault in the Detergent unit, for example, if the quantity of the detergent remained is less than the specified limit, then the Communication Module 208 sends an alert notification to the User device 112 and the Server 106 through the Network 102. Further, the Server 106 alerts the registered vendor by sending an alert to the Detergent centre 108. The System 100 allows the detergent agent to locate the Washing Machine 104 as stored in the Memory module 208 of the Washing Machine 104.
[0043] At step 318, if the Detection Module 204 identifies any malfunction in the motor or the decrease in the overall performance of the Washing machine 104, the Communication Module 206 sends an alert notification to the User device 112. Further, the Washing Machine application 114 installed in the User Device 112 sends an alert notification to the registered service agent for repair. The System 100 allows the service agent to locate the Washing Machine 104 through the location details as stored in the Memory module 208 of the Washing Machine 104.
[0044] At step 326, if the Detection Module 204 determines that the Washing Machine 104 requires annual service, then the Communication Module 206 sends an alert notification to the seller or the registered store for annual maintenance contract for servicing.
[0045] The various actions in method 300 may be performed in the order presented, in a different order or simultaneously. Further, in some embodiments, some actions listed in FIG. 3 may be omitted.
[0046] FIG. 4 illustrates a chart of the Wireless Washing Service System while detecting and providing detergent exhaustion Services, according to the embodiments as disclosed herein. As depicted in the FIG. 4, when the Detection Module in the Washing Machine determines the presence of fault in the Detergent unit, for example, if the quantity of the detergent remained is less than the specified limit, the Communication Module sends an alert notification to the User device and the Server through the Network. Later, the Server alerts the registered vendor by sending an alert to the Detergent centre. Further, the System allows the detergent agent to locate the Washing Machine through the GPS coordinates indicated by the GPS or the GSM Module of the Washing Machine.
[0047] FIG. 5 illustrates a chart of the Wireless Washing Service System while detecting and providing wireless services in case of faults in wear and tear, rotational speed or overall performance of the motor, according to the embodiments as disclosed herein. As depicted in the FIG 5, when the Detection Module in the washing machine identifies any malfunction in the motor or the decrease in the overall performance, the Communication Module residing in the controller of the washing machine sends an alert notification to the User device. Further, the Washing Machine application installed in the User device sends an alert notification to the registered service agent for repair. The System allows the service agent to locate the Washing Machine through the location details stored in the memory module of the Washing Machine. In an embodiment, the location details include GSM or GPS coordinates.
[0048] FIG. 6 illustrates a chart of the Wireless Washing Service System while detecting and providing annual maintenance service contracts services, according to the embodiments as disclosed herein. As depicted in the FIG, when the Detection Module determines that the Washing Machine requires service, then the Communication Module sends an alert notification to the seller for annual maintenance contract for servicing.
EXEMPLARY SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE
[0049] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a machine in the example form of a computer system 700 within which instructions for causing the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein may be executed. In alternative embodiments, the machine operates as a standalone device or may be connected (e.g., networked) to other machines. In a networked deployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or a client machine in a server-client network environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. The machine may be a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box (STB), a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), cellular telephone, a web appliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. Further, while only a single machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shall also be taken to include any collection of machines that individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein.
[0050] The example computer system 700 includes a processor 702 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or both), a main memory 704, and a static memory 706, which communicate with each other via a bus 708. The computer system 700 may further include a video display unit 710(e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a LED display or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). The computer system 700 also includes an alphanumeric input device 712(e.g., a keyboard), a user interface (UI) navigation device 714(e.g., a mouse) or a touch screen interface, a disk drive unit 716, a signal generation device 718(e.g., a speaker), and a network interface device 720. The computer system 700 may also include a environmental input device 726 that may provide a number of inputs describing the environment in which the computer system 700 or another device exists, including, but not limited to, any of a Global Positioning Sensing (GPS) receiver, a temperature sensor, a light sensor, a still photo or video camera, an audio sensor (e.g., a microphone), a velocity sensor, a gyroscope, an accelerometer, and a compass.
Machine-Readable Medium:
[0051] The disk drive unit 716 includes a machine-readable medium 722 on which is stored one or more sets of data structures and instructions 724(e.g., software) embodying or utilized by any one or more of the methodologies or functions described herein. The instructions 724 may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory 704 and/or within the processor 702 during execution thereof by the computer system700, the main memory 704 and the processor 702 also constituting machine-readable media.
[0052] While the machine-readable medium 722 is shown in an example embodiment to be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” may include a single medium or multiple media(e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more instructions 724 or data structures. The term “non-transitory machine-readable medium” shall also be taken to include any tangible medium that is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying instructions for execution by the machine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies of the present subject matter, or that is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying data structures utilized by or associated with such instructions. The term “non-transitory machine-readable medium” shall accordingly be taken to include, but not be limited to, solid-state memories, and optical and magnetic media. Specific examples of non-transitory machine-readable media include, but are not limited to, non-volatile memory, including by way of example, semiconductor memory devices (e.g., Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), and flash memory devices), magnetic disks such as internal hard disks and removable disks, magneto-optical disks, and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks.
Transmission Medium:
The instructions 724 may further be transmitted or received over a computer network 750 using a transmission medium. The instructions 724 may be transmitted using the network interface device 720 and any one of a number of well-known transfer protocols (e.g., HTTP). Examples of communication networks include a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet, mobile telephone networks, Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) networks, and wireless data networks (e.g., WiFi and WiMAX networks). The term “transmission medium” shall be taken to include any intangible medium that is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying instructions for execution by the machine, and includes digital or analog communications signals or other intangible media to facilitate communication of such software.
[0053] As described herein, computer software products can be written in any of various suitable programming languages, such as C, C++, C#, Pascal, Fortran, Perl, Matlab (from MathWorks), SAS, SPSS, JavaScript, AJAX, Python and Java. The computer software product can be an independent application with data input and data display modules. Alternatively, the computer software products can be classes that can be instantiated as distributed objects. The computer software products can also be component software, for example Java Beans (from Sun Microsystems) or Enterprise Java Beans (EJB from Sun Microsystems). Much functionality described herein can be implemented in computer software, computer hardware, or a combination.
[0054] Furthermore, a computer that is running the previously mentioned computer software can be connected to a network and can interface to other computers using the network. The network can be an intranet, internet, or the Internet, among others. The network can be a wired network (for example, using copper), telephone network, packet network, an optical network (for example, using optical fiber), or a wireless network, or a combination of such networks. For example, data and other information can be passed between the computer and components (or steps) of a system using a wireless network based on a protocol, for example Wi-Fi (IEEE standards 802.11, 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11e, 802.11g, 802.11i, and 1802.11n). In one example, signals from the computer can be transferred, at least in part, wirelessly to components or other computers.
[0055] It is to be understood that although various components are illustrated herein as separate entities, each illustrated component represents a collection of functionalities which can be implemented as software, hardware, firmware or any combination of these. Where a component is implemented as software, it can be implemented as a standalone program, but can also be implemented in other ways, for example as part of a larger program, as a plurality of separate programs, as a kernel loadable module, as one or more device drivers or as one or more statically or dynamically linked libraries.
[0056] As will be understood by those familiar with the art, the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Likewise, the particular naming and division of the portions, modules, agents, managers, components, functions, procedures, actions, layers, features, attributes, methodologies and other aspects are not mandatory or significant, and the mechanisms that implement the invention or its features may have different names, divisions and/or formats.
[0057] Furthermore, as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the relevant art, the portions, modules, agents, managers, components, functions, procedures, actions, layers, features, attributes, methodologies and other aspects of the invention can be implemented as software, hardware, firmware or any combination of the three. Of course, wherever a component of the present invention is implemented as software, the component can be implemented as a script, as a standalone program, as part of a larger program, as a plurality of separate scripts and/or programs, as a statically or dynamically linked library, as a kernel loadable module, as a device driver, and/or in every and any other way known now or in the future to those of skill in the art of computer programming. Additionally, the present invention is in no way limited to implementation in any specific programming language, or for any specific operating system or environment.
[0058] Furthermore, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art that where the present invention is implemented in whole or in part in software, the software components thereof can be stored on computer readable media as computer program products. Any form of computer readable medium can be used in this context, such as magnetic or optical storage media. Additionally, software portions of the present invention can be instantiated (for example as object code or executable images) within the memory of any programmable computing device.
[0059] As will be understood by those familiar with the art, the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Likewise, the particular naming and division of the portions, modules, agents, managers, components, functions, procedures, actions, layers, features, attributes, methodologies and other aspects are not mandatory or significant, and the mechanisms that implement the invention or its features may have different names, divisions and/or formats.
[0060] Accordingly, the disclosure of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention, which is set forth in the following claims.