Login| Sign Up| Help| Contact|

Patent Searching and Data


Title:
SYSTEM AND METHODS THEREOF FOR MANAGING A PARKING SESSION
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2017/078612
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A system for managing a parking zone with one or more parking spaces, the system comprising: an indication within the parking zone, the indication comprising at least either or both (a) a code representing the parking zone and (b) a code representing one of the one or more parking spaces; which allows refund of excess amount of payment or excess duration of time.

Inventors:
YE NING (SG)
Application Number:
PCT/SG2015/000140
Publication Date:
May 11, 2017
Filing Date:
November 02, 2015
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
SUN SINGAPORE SYSTEMS PTE LTD (SG)
International Classes:
G06Q50/10; G07B15/02; G06Q20/36; G06Q30/04
Domestic Patent References:
WO2005086097A12005-09-15
WO1993020539A11993-10-14
Foreign References:
US20120234906A12012-09-20
US20150149263A12015-05-28
CN103700150A2014-04-02
GB2477855A2011-08-17
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
K.L. TAN & ASSOCIATES (SG)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS

1. A method for managing a parking session of a vehicle in a parking zone with one or more parking spaces, the method comprising: initiating the parking session of the vehicle when receiving from a mobile device:

i. (a) a code representing the parking zone captured by the mobile device or (b) a code representing one of the multiple parking spaces captured by the mobile device;

ii. an identification of the vehicle; and

iii. an amount of payment or a duration of time for the parking session; terminating the parking session when receiving from the mobile device the same code(s) used to initiate the parking session;

calculating, based on the time of initiating and the time of terminating, whether there is an excess of the amount of payment or an excess of the duration of time; and refunding the excess, if any.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the code representing the parking zone captured by the mobile device or the code representing one of the multiple parking spaces captured by the mobile device comprises a Q code.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the code representing the parking zone captured by the mobile device or the code representing one of the multiple parking spaces is captured by the mobile device using a camera.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of refunding comprises providing a credit to a user of the mobile device to be used for another parking session.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of refunding comprises refunding to nominated account.

6. A method for managing a parking session of a vehicle in a parking zone with one or more parking spaces, the method comprising:

capturing using a mobile device (a) a code representing the parking zone or (b) a code representing one of the multiple parking spaces;

sending to a server the captured code, an identification of the vehicle, and an amount of payment or a duration of time for the parking session to initiate the parking session of the vehicle; receiving from the server a refund if, based on the time of initiating and the time of terminating, there is an excess of the amount of payment or an excess of the duration of time.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the code representing the parking zone captured by the mobile device or the code representing one of the multiple parking spaces captured by the mobile device comprises a QR code.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the code representing the parking zone captured by the mobile device or the code representing one of the multiple parking spaces is captured by the mobile device using a camera.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of refunding comprises providing a credit to a user of the mobile device to be used for another parking session.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of sending to the server the same code comprises capturing the code for a second time.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of receiving from the server a refund comprises receiving the refund through a nominated account.

12. A system for managing a parking zone with one or more parking spaces, the system comprising: an indication within the parking zone, the indication comprising at least either or both (a) a code representing the parking zone and (b) a code representing one of the one or more parking spaces;

a processing unit for performing the steps of;

initiating the parking session of a vehicle when receiving from a mobile device:

i. (a) a code representing the parking zone captured by the mobile device or (b) a code representing one of the multiple parking spaces captured by the mobile device;

ii. an identification of the vehicle; and

iii. an amount of payment or a duration of time for the parking session; terminating the parking session when receiving from the mobile device the same code(s) used to initiate the parking session;

calculating, based on the time of initiating and the time of terminating, whether there is an excess of the amount of payment or an excess of the duration of time; and

refunding the excess, if any.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the code representing the parking zone captured by the mobile device or the code representing one of the multiple parking spaces captured by the mobile device comprises a QR code.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the indication within the parking zone is a signboard, and wherein either or both of the code representing the parking zone captured by the mobile device and the code representing one of the multiple parking spaces are presented on the signboard.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the signboard comprises multiple codes to represent multiple parking spaces, each code represents a different parking space within the parking zone.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the signboard comprises information in relation to a parking rate for the vehicle for assisting a decision on the amount of payment or the duration of time for the parking session prior to initiating the parking session.

17. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions to perform the method of claim 1.

18. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions to perform the method of claim 6.

Description:
SYSTEM AND METHODS THEREOF FOR MANAGING A PARKING SESSION

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to parking session management. BACKGROUND

[0002] Parking is an important part of travelling when travelling using a vehicle. Parking is also important when making a temporary stop when making a delivery using a vehicle. A vehicle can be a car, van, truck, bus, truck, bicycle, tricycle, scooter etc. Upon reaching a destination, the vehicle is stopped at a non-obstructive place or a designated place. In developed areas, often there will be one or more parking zones to allow parking of vehicles. Different vehicles may have different parking zones. Within a parking zone, there may be designated parking spaces for the vehicles. Often, the spaces are defined by markings on the ground.

[0003] On-street parking zones and spaces are important to provide parking to vehicles in cities. An on- street parking zone is a parking area at the side of a drive way defined by the parking authority of a city or municipal. A parking zone normally contains multiple parking spaces. However, it is possible to have a parking zone with only one parking space. Each parking space is with a marked border (for example, painted strips or lines), and vehicles are allowed to be parked within the space defined by the marked border. Usually, parking in a parking space is regulated regarding the parking fee and the permitted duration of the parking. A parking space can be identified by an allocated parking zone number or a parking space number, or by the combination of a space number and a zone number.

[0004] In order to reduce C0 2 emission through the reduction of traffic in cities and to improve user experience and the efficiency of parking management, the parking management technology and system have improved. One improvement is to use a mobile device to make payment for parking fee. However, in the existing solutions, the number representing a parking zone, the intended parking duration and an identification of a vehicle, for example, the license plate number, have to be input manually into a mobile device via a mobile parking application (which, for example, can be downloaded as an application through a link provided by the parking authority or management) for the two reasons:

a. The rate of the parking fee or charge is dependent on the parking zone and the parking duration; and b. The enforcement checking is based on the vehicle license plate number. [0005] In the case that the number representing a parking zone is input wrongly, once the parking session is initiated after the completion of the payment, there is no way to correct it, and the following results may happen:

a. If the parking rate of the input parking zone is higher than the zone a vehicle is parked in, then the amount paid is higher than the correct parking fee (i.e. the consequence of inputting wrong number representing the parking zone); and

b. If the parking rate of the input parking zone is lower than the zone a vehicle is parked in, then there is a risk that the owner of the vehicle will be fined by an enforcement officer for not paying the correct amount if one is not aware of the wrong input. Even if one is aware of the mistake, the person cannot reverse the transaction. Accordingly, the person can only move the vehicle, or forfeit the first payment and make another payment with the correct information. Further, if the person tries to move the vehicle to another parking space with the correct parking rate, the parking management system would not be able to track the vehicle as accordingly to the parking system the vehicle is parked at the parking zone with the wrongly entered number. This may complicate the enforcement and management process.

[0006] In addition with a person who parks a vehicle providing only the parking zone number, the parking management system is only able to know roughly the vehicle's parking location, but it is not able to know which parking space is occupied by the vehicle. In order to obtain a real-time status of occupancy, a common practice is to implement wireless magnetic space sensors at each parking space for detecting if there is a vehicle parking on the space. However, there are currently some weak points of using the space sensors: 1) the vehicle detection accuracy of the space sensors is limited at around 95%; 2) the costs of implementing the space sensors is high; and 3) the lifetime of the space sensors is normally about 5 years.

[0007] Further, once a parking session has started, the payment made cannot be refunded when the vehicle is removed before the end of the paid parking session.

[0008] This specification offers an alternative system and methods for managing a parking session. SUMMARY

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for managing a parking session of a vehicle in a parking zone with one or more parking spaces, the method comprising: initiating the parking session of the vehicle when receiving from a mobile device: i. (a) a code representing the parking zone captured by the mobile device or (b) a code representing one of the multiple parking spaces and the time of terminating, whether there is an excess of the amount of payment or an excess of the duration of time; and refunding the excess, if any.

In one form, the code representing the parking zone captured by the mobile device or the code representing one of the multiple parking spaces captured by the mobile device comprises a QR code. In one form, the code representing the parking zone captured by the mobile device or the code representing one of the multiple parking spaces is captured by the mobile device using a camera. In one form, the step of refunding comprises providing a credit to a user of the mobile device to be used for another parking session. In one form, the step of refunding comprises refunding to a nominated account.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for managing a parking session of a vehicle in a parking zone with one or more parking spaces, the method comprising: capturing using a mobile device (a) a code representing the parking zone or (b) a code representing one of the multiple parking spaces; sending to a server the captured code, an identification of the vehicle, and an amount of payment or a duration of time for the parking session to initiate the parking session of the vehicle; sending to the server the same code, used to initiate the parking session, to terminate the parking session; and receiving from the server a refund if, based on the time of initiating and the time of terminating, there is an excess of the amount of payment or an excess of the duration of time.

In one form, the code representing the parking zone captured by the mobile device or the code representing one of the multiple parking spaces captured by the mobile device comprises a QR code. In one form, the code representing the parking zone captured by the mobile device or the code representing one of the multiple parking spaces is captured by the mobile device using a camera. In one form, the step of refunding comprises providing a credit to a user of the mobile device to be used for another parking session. In one form, the step of sending to the server the same code comprises capturing the code for a second time. In one form, the step of receiving from the server a refund comprises receiving the refund through a nominated account.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for managing a parking zone with one or more parking spaces, the system comprising: an indication within the parking zone, the indication comprising at least either or both (a) a code representing the parking zone and (b) a code representing one of the one or more parking spaces; a processing unit for performing the steps of: initiating the parking session of a vehicle when receiving from a mobile device: i. (a) a code representing the parking zone captured by the mobile device or (b) a code representing one of the multiple parking spaces captured by the mobile device; ii. an identification of the vehicle; and iii. an amount of payment or initiating and the time of terminating, whether there is an excess of the amount of payment or an excess of the duration of time; and refunding the excess, if any.

In one form, the code representing the parking zone captured by the mobile device or the code representing one of the multiple parking spaces captured by the mobile device comprises a QR code. In one form, the indication within the parking zone is a signboard, and wherein either or both of the code representing the parking zone captured by the mobile device and the code representing one of the multiple parking spaces are presented on the signboard. In one form, the signboard comprises multiple codes to represent multiple parking spaces, each code represents a different parking space within the parking zone. In one form, the signboard comprises information in relation to a parking rate for the vehicle for assisting a decision on the amount of payment or the duration of time for the parking session prior to initiating the parking session.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0010] Figure 1 depicts the concept of a parking zone and parking spaces;

[0011 ] Figure 2 depicts steps involved in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] Figure 3 depicts a schematic diagram of a signboard according to one aspect of the present invention;

[0013] Figure 4 is a diagram of an embodiment of the present invention in a mobile parking management system;

[0014] Figure 5 shows an example of a signboard containing parking space QR codes ' ; and [0015] Figure 6 shows another example of a signboard containing parking space QR codes. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Figure 1 depicts, through one example, the concept of a parking zone and parking spaces. A parking zone is a location with one or more parking spaces for vehicles. In this example, parking zone 1 parking spaces may be defined to cater for bicycles, and larger parking spaces may be defined for trucks, buses etc.

[0017] Figure 2 depicts one embodiment of the present invention. In particular, Figure 2 shows steps involved in implementing this embodiment.

[0018] The first step 11 is about initiating a-parking session. A parking session generally means a time duration where one has obtained permission to park his/her vehicle. In this embodiment, the parking management system requires three pieces of information before a parking session is initiated, namely (each of them will be discussed in turn later) :

i. (a) a code representing the parking zone captured by the mobile device or (b) a code representing one of the multiple parking spaces captured by the mobile device;

ii. an identification of the vehicle; and

iii. an amount of payment or a duration of time for the parking session.

[0019] In other words, for a person who has parked his/her car at a parking space within a parking zone, he/she uses a mobile device (which can be a mobile phone, PDA, tablet and any other electronic devices which has Internet and/or "app" access capabilities) to provide three pieces of information to the parking management system wirelessly. The wireless connection can be 3G, Wifi etc.

[0020] A code representing the parking zone can be a barcode, QR code, or even a diagram, or symbol. In some embodiments, a clearly presented number can be used too. Similarly a code representing one of the multiple parking spaces zone can be a number, barcode, QR code, or even a diagram, or symbol.

[0021] In relation to the code representing a parking space, the code can be printed on ground near or in -the parking space. The code can also be provided on a signboard located within the parking zone. The signboard can be positioned a distance from the parking space, as long as the signboard includes guide to direct a user to the right code.

[0022] In relation to the code representing a parking zone, the code can be printed together with the code representing a parking space. In one embodiment, both codes can be encoded as a single code, for example, a QR code. In the existing mobile parking solutions, QR code is used only for linking to a URL where motorists can download mobile parking application software and can make on-line payment, but not for providing parking zone and space information.

Γ00231 The kev noint is that the codes are "caotured" bv the mobile device. The nhrase "caotured bv the much automatically, either through image capturing or through wireless sensing. Examples of image capturing include using a camera of or attached to the mobile device to capture the codes. Examples of wireless sensing include using a sensor such as a NFC sensor of the mobile device to detect a chip such as an RFBD representing a particular parking space. Thus, the risk of inputting the wrong code is reduced.

issued to a vehicle prior to the parking session. This piece of information can e entere ust parking session is initiated. Alternatively, this piece of information can be pre-recorded (for example, the identification of the vehicle can be linked to an account, and the account can be logged-in using the mobile device, thus there is no need to enter the identification of the vehicle). In another form, the identification of the vehicle can be selected from a list compiled by the user of the mobile device. This is useful especially when the user of the mobile device has more than one vehicle. In another form, the identification of vehicle can be obtained by taking a photo of the number plate of the vehicle using the mobile device.

[0025] The third piece of information is an amount of payment or a duration of time for the parking session. Which one is to be used can be decided by the owner of the vehicle or the operator of the parking zone. In the first form, which is an amount of payment, the person who parks a car will enter an amount, say $3.00. In the other form, the person who parks a car will enter a time duration, say 2 hours. The rate of parking is shown in the parking zone to assist the decision on how long or how much to be entered.

[0026] Once a parking session has been initiated through step 11, the person who parks the vehicle can leave the vehicle. Upon the return of the same person, step 13 can be performed to terminate the parking session. In particular, the code used to initiate the parking session is captured by the mobile device again to be sent to the parking management system to terminate the parking session. From the point of the parking management system, the system will terminate the initiated parking session when the system receives the same code used to initiate the parking session.

[0027] The parking management system will then calculate as next step 15, based on the time of initiating and the time of terminating, whether there is an excess of the amount of payment or an excess of the duration of time. If there is, the excess is refunded 17. The refunded excess can be credit to be used in the future, or can be a refund of money back to a nominated account.

[0028] Figure 3 depicts a schematic diagram of a signboard according to one aspect of the present and/or a code representing a parking space. Of course signboard 21 can include multiple parking space codes. Further, signboard 21 can include messages related to the operation conditions of the parking zone 27, and a guide 29 for acquiring the required software for the mobile device 31 to initiate a parking session using the codes on the signboard. The guide 29 can simply be a QR code to download the required software.

[0029] In one form, the messages related to operation conditions of the parking zone 27 include but are not limited to the following information: authorised parking day-time periods; parking charging rates corresponding to the day-time periods;

[0030] In one form, the guide 29 provides a URL link to the mobile parking application server allowing to download and install the mobile parking application into a mobile phone and to register the mobile phone for parking payment. The URL link may lead to a website with further instructions or help to install the appropriate version of the mobile parking application.

[0031] The Figure 4 is a diagram of an embodiment of the present invention in a mobile parking management system.

[0032] In this form, a mobile payment platform 43, a mobile device held by a person who parks a vehicle 45, parking management system 47 and mobile enforcement terminal 49 are linked through network 41.

[0033] In one embodiment, the mobile device is with QR code reading feature, and it is used for making parking payment via a mobile payment platform 43. It is also possible to use the same mobile device to request available parking space information from the mobile parking management system 47.

[0034] In one form, the mobile parking management system 47 performs but is not limited to the following functions: receiving and recording vehicles' parking location and payment data, monitoring and supervising vehicles' parking status, mforming motorists before the expiry of the purchased parking duration, providing parking situation and/or enforcement instruction to enforcement officers using mobile terminals, providing parking space availability to motorists' mobile phones, and etc. To explain further, the parking management system 47 knows when and where a parking session is initiated after receiving the information required for initiating a parking session. With such knowledge, the parking management system can advise anyone regarding availability of spaces, or the likelihood of a space becoming available (based on the remaining time or amount paid for a particular parking space).

Γ00351 Tn one form, the mobile enforcement terminal 49 is a handheld comnuter device with but not selected the parking zone, such as the license plate number of the vehicle occupied a parking space with a paid parking period from when to when, and etc.; input parking offence type and print parking offence notice; and etc.

[0036] The mobile network 41 provides communication channels among the mobile phone 45, payment platform 43, parking management system 47, and the mobile enforcement terminal 49. The channel can be based on Internet protocol.

[0037] In one embodiment using a signboard containing parking space QR codes, a typical mobile parking starting procedure can be described as below:

- After a motorist parked his/her vehicle in a parking space of number N in a parking zone, the motorist uses the mobile parking App installed in his/her mobile phone to scan the space QR code associated to the space number N on the signboard, then the zone number and space number will appear on the mobile parking App screen. The form in which this is done could be used to corifirm that the space and zone are the correct ones, i.e. by illustration/s of the parking space on the mobile device so the user can visually check the details and maybe even confirm them.

- By scanning the space QR code, there is no need to manually input the parking zone number, thus avoiding possible human mistakes. Further, precise parking location information may be provided to the parking management system.

- The motorist inputs (key-in or select) the vehicle license plate number and a parking duration to purchase parking permission. Then the mobile parking application shows the parking charge to be paid.

- As an alternative, the motorist inputs (key-in or select) the vehicle license plate number and an amount to purchase parking permission. Then the mobile parking application shows the parking duration corresponds to the amount input.

- As another alternative, after scanning the space QR code, the mobile parking App presents parking time/cost options for selections, taking consideration of current rate which may be dependent on time, date etc.

- After the payment or duration is confirmed and completed, the parking session (metering in the mobile phone) is started. The corresponding parking payment and starting information are recorded in the mobile parking management system.

[0038] In one embodiment using a signboard containing parking space QR codes, a typical mobile parking ending procedure can be described as below

Before a parked vehicle leaves the parking space, the motorist uses his/her mobile parking App to scan the QR code associated to the parking space number on the signboard. The App will request the time or in a predefined time block or amount can either be used for the future parking session or be refunded to motorist's mobile parking account.

Note that the motorist can choose not to end the parking session using the above way. However, doing so would not allow refund of an excess if any.

[0039] In one embodiment using a signboard containing parking space QR codes, a typical mobile parking enforcement procedure can be described as below

Once the mobile parking management system receives a parking starting information from a mobile device, it updates the corresponding parking payment data and parking session data including the vehicle license plate number, the space occupied, the parking period, and etc.

Once the mobile parking management system receives a parking ending information from a mobile device, it updates the corresponding parking space data (including resetting the parking space status to "Vacant") and the payment data (for example, including the unused parking time block and the amount corresponding to the unused parking time block if applicable).

[0040] In the case there is an expired parking session, or a reusable time block (or/refundable amount) applicable to a vehicle parked in a parking space, the management system will inform automatically an operation (or an enforcement) officer to make a verification remotely through CCTV (or to do an onsite checking).

[0041] When an enforcement officer arrives at a parking zone, he/she uses a mobile enforcement terminal to scan any one of the parking space QR codes on the signboard, the parking status and information (including space number, occupancy status, vehicle license plate, parking session, and etc.) of every parking space in the parking zone will appear on the mobile enforcement terrninal, the officer can easily check and compare the situation and then issue offence note(s) for the verified parking offence(s).

[0042] Figure 5 shows an example of a signboard containing parking space QR codes. In this example, the signboard 51 includes parking zone code 53, parking space code 55, assistance number 59, and guide to obtain the mobile application or software 57. The parking space QR code may contain one or more of the following information: the parking space number in a parking zone; the parking zone identity or number in a city; the city code (or name) in a country; and the country name or code.

[0043] As an alternative, parking zone code 53 can be in QR code too. The parking zone QR code may contain one or more following information: the parking zone identity and/or number in a city; the city name or code in a country; and the country name or code. parking zone code 61 but also additional information such as operational date-time periods and the corresponding parking charge rates and other regulation. In this example, each parking space QR code 63 on the signboard is associated to a corresponding space number printed below (or close to) the space QR code for visual identification. Since there is no need to enter the parking space number manually, risk of initiating a parking session on a wrong parking space is reduced.

[0045] Throughout the specification and the claims that follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the words "comprise" and "include" and variations such as "comprising" and "including" will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

[0046] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement of any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0047] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted in its use to the particular application described. Neither is the present invention restricted in its preferred embodiment with regard to the particular elements and/or features described or depicted herein. It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth and defined by the following claims.

[0048] Those of skill in the art would further appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software or instructions, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present invention.

[0049] The steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. For a hardware implementation, processing may be implemented within one or perform the functions described herein, or a combination thereof. Software modules, also known as computer programs, computer codes, or instructions, may contain a number of source code or object code segments or instructions, and may reside in any computer readable medium such as a RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a Blu-ray disc, or any other form of computer readable medium. In some aspects the computer readable media may comprise non-transitory computer readable media (e.g., tangible media). In addition, for other aspects computer readable media may comprise transitory computer readable media (e.g., a signal). Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer readable media. In another aspect, the computer readable medium may be integral to the processor. The processor and the computer readable medium may reside in an ASIC or related device. The software codes may be stored in a memory unit and the processor may be configured to execute them. The memory unit may be implemented within the processor or external to the processor, in which case it can be communicatively coupled to the processor via various means as is known in the art.

[0050] Further, it should be appreciated that modules and/or other appropriate means for performing the methods and techniques described herein can be downloaded and/or otherwise obtained by computing device. For example, such a device can be coupled to a server to facilitate the transfer of means for performing the methods described herein. Alternatively, various methods described herein can be provided via storage means (e.g., RAM, ROM, a physical storage medium such as a compact disc (CD) or floppy disk, etc.), such that a computing device can obtain the various methods upon coupling or providing the storage means to the device. Moreover, any other suitable technique for providing the methods and techniques described herein to a device can be utilized.

[0051] In one form the invention may comprise a computer program product for performing the method or operations presented herein. For example, such a computer program product may comprise a computer (or processor) readable medium having instructions stored (and/or encoded) thereon, the instructions being executable by one or more processors to perform the operations described herein. For certain aspectSj the computer program product may include packaging material.

[0052] The methods disclosed herein comprise one or more steps or actions for achieving the described method. The method steps and/or actions may be interchanged with one another without departing from the scope of the claims. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions is specified, the order and/or use of specific steps and/or actions may be modified without departing from the scope of the claims. standard computing device, such as a desktop computer, a portable computing device such as a laptop computer or tablet, or they may be included in a customised device or system. The computing device may be a unitary computing or programmable device, or a distributed device comprising several components operatively (or functionally) connected via wired or wireless connections. An embodiment of a computing device " may comprise a central processing unit (CPU), a memory, a display apparatus, and may include an input device such as keyboard, mouse, etc. The CPU comprises an Input/Output Interface, an Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU) and a Control Unit and Program Counter element which is in communication with input and output devices (eg input device and display apparatus) through the Input/Output Interface. The Input/Output Interface may comprise a network interface and/or communications module for communicating with an equivalent communications module in another device using a predefined communications protocol (e.g. Bluetooth, Zigbee, IEEE 802.15, IEEE 802.11, TCP/IP, UDP, etc). A graphical processing unit (GPU) may also be included. The display apparatus may comprise a flat screen display (e.g. LCD, LED, plasma, touch screen, etc), a projector, CRT, etc. The computing device may comprise a single CPU (core) or multiple CPU's (multiple core), or multiple processors. The computing device may use a parallel processor, a vector processor, or be a distributed computing device. The memory is operatively coupled to the processor(s) and may comprise RAM and ROM components, and may be provided within or external to the device. The memory may be used to store the operating system and additional software modules or instructions. The processors) may be configured to load and execute the software modules or instructions stored in the memory.