CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from US Provisional Patent Application No. 63/319,813, filed March 15, 2022, whose disclosure is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is directed to a method and device for measuring the length of hair and/or a guide to cutting hair.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cutting human hair often requires years of experience to enable a craftsman to produce a professional result. The field of hair cutting, also known as hair dressing, barbers, and other names, requires the consumer to go to a professional establishment, and pay a fee that covers the cost of the establishment, the wages of the hair cutter, and often a profit for the owner of the establishment. In addition, there may be incomplete or incorrect communication between the consumer and the barber, resulting in less than satisfactory results.

One possible solution is for the consumer to either cut their own hair, or have another consumer who is not a professional cut the hair. One of the drawbacks to this arrangement is the lack of skill of the non-professional in cutting hair, for example the ability to cut hair growing from different locations of the head so that the ends of the hair form a horizontal line. Another drawback may be the inability to accurately cut hair growing from different head locations to varied proscribed lengths to achieve professional styles, for example to create feathered effect, bangs, etc.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a solution to the abovementioned problems. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A hair styling device for assisting in cutting hair including a processing unit connected to a length sensor and an indicating unit, the length sensor adapted to output to at least one of the indicator unit and the processing unit a length parameter for a distance traveled when the length sensor is moved in proximity to or in contact with hair, the processing unit adapted to receive the length parameter, adapt the length parameter to length data adapted to be output by the indicator unit, and output to the indicating unit the length data, and the indicating unit adapted to receive at least one of the length data and the length parameter, and generate at least one alert to an operator.

The hair styling device processing unit is adapted to output to the indicating unit at least one of: instructions to cut hair in a specific style, instructions on cutting hair for a specific person, starting placement of the hair styling device relative to features of a head, and a distance to move the hair styling device along the hair.

The hair styling device indicating unit is adapted to output indicia in a medium selected from the group including: text, audio, video, light, tactile feedback, movement, and vibration.

The hair styling device length sensor includes at least one mechanism for measuring distance traveled in proximity to or touching hair, the at least one mechanism selected from a group including: optical sensors, pressure sensors, mechanical length measuring devices, inertial devices, lasers, ultrasonic devices, radars, inductive sensors, linear magnetic encoders, measuring wheels encoders, cable transducers, and sound sensors.

The hair styling device further includes at least one styling tool chosen from a group including combs, toothless combs, flat surfaces, non-flat surfaces, curling irons, detanglers, flat irons, hair straighteners, curling wands, steamers, laser devices, and brushes, wherein the length sensor is integrated with the styling tool.

The hair styling device further including an input-output unit adapted to receive data from at least one source chosen from a group including the processing unit, the length sensor, a wireless network, a wired data network, a mechanical device, an electro-mechanical device, sound sensors, light sensors, gravity sensors, level sensors, acceleration sensors, and location sensors, and further adapted to output the data to at least one device chosen from a group including the processing unit, the indicating unit, an electronic device, a wired data network, and a wireless network,

The hair styling device further including at least one input control connected to the processing unit, the input control adapted to enable an operator to select an action chosen from a plurality of sets of hair cutting instructions displayed on a display, and for the processing unit to output the hair cutting instructions to the indicating unit.

The hair styling device indicating unit is a display unit and the processing unit is further adapted to calculate the output to the indicating unit responsive to the data received from at least one of the length sensors and the input-output unit.

The hair styling device indicating unit includes at least one device chosen from a group of devices including an electronic screen, an audio device, a light emitter, and a vibrating device.

The hair styling device indicating unit is adapted to communicate the length data in at least one form chosen from a group including text, images, sound, light, and mechanical movement.

The hair styling device further including a level device adapted to measure a displacement of a lengthwise axis of the hair styling device relative to a horizontal axis, and to output the displacement measurement to at least one of a device chosen from a group of devices including the indicating unit, the processing unit, a dedicated indicator, a mechanical device, and a bubble level.

The hair styling device further including a mechanism adapted to allow an operator to input at least one set of operator instructions chosen from a group including to reset the indicating unit to a pre-set value after the length sensor is distanced from proximity to the hair, to initiate the length sensor measuring length, and to cease the length sensor measuring.

The assistance device further including a kit including at least one item from a list including an assistance device, scissors for hair cutting, scissors for thinning hair, a robe, hair cosmetic products, and a case.

A method for instructing an operator in cutting hair including the steps of selecting a starting point on hair of a head or body, placing a hair styling device in proximity to the starting point, moving the hair styling device along a length of the hair, the hair styling device relaying instructions indicating when a desired length has been reached, and using a surface of the hair styling device as a guide to cutting the hair. The method further including the hair styling device indicating an offset angle relative to horizontal, and orienting the hair styling device to the offset angle, and cutting the hair along the offset angle.

The method further including assigning a vertical level of an anatomical feature of the head as the starting point, and repeating the steps a plurality of iterations along a horizontal level corresponding to the anatomical feature, and for a plurality of the repetitions displaying instructions using the hair styling device to measure when an identical desired length has been reached for each iteration along the horizontal level.

The method further including repeating the steps, wherein for each iteration of the steps, an indicating unit of the hair styling device displays instructions for differing desired lengths.

The method further including repeating the steps, wherein for each iteration of the steps the indicating unit displays at least one instruction from a sequential set of instructions for styling hair.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the present invention are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of embodiments of the invention. In this regard, the description taken with the drawings makes apparent to those skilled in the art how embodiments of the invention may be practiced.

Attention is now directed to the drawings, where like reference numerals or characters indicate corresponding or like components. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a Friendly Comb, according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a side view of a Friendly Comb, according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a side view of a Friendly Comb, according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4a is a schematic illustration of a side view of a Friendly Comb, according to embodiments of the present invention; FIG. 4b is a schematic illustration of a side view of a Friendly Comb, according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a back side view of a Friendly Comb, according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 6a is a schematic illustration of a back side view of a Friendly Comb, according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 6b is a schematic illustration of a back side view of a Friendly Comb, according to embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a flow chart of a method for styling hair using a Friendly Comb, according to embodiments of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components and/or methods set forth in the following description and/or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the present invention may be embodied as a system, device, method and/or computer-controlled product. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a "circuit," “phase”, "module", “unit”, or "system." Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more non- transitory computer readable (storage) medium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a device, referred to herein as the Friendly Comb, hair styling device, or hair styling appliance, for guiding the cutting of hair, optionally including a length sensor, processing unit, an indicating unit, an input-output unit, and a level unit. In certain non-limiting embodiments, the Friendly Comb may further comprise a handle, a comb, and/or a brush. In certain non-limiting embodiments, the Friendly Comb may include a comb which may be inserted into hair of an animal, e.g., a dog, or hair of a head of a person, and as the hair is combed and the Friendly Comb travels along the hair, an indicating unit may show the person using the Friendly Comb, referred to herein as the operator, the length that the Friendly Comb has traveled. The display of length traveled may be used by the operator to know at what point the hair should be cut, and the operator may use the Friendly Comb as a guide to achieving a straight, level cut at the desired length.

Additionally, and/or alternatively, the Friendly Comb may be used to achieve a number of desired results in styling hair, for example cutting a section of hair to a uniform length, and/or performing a sequence of cuts at different lengths. Additionally and/or alternatively, the Friendly Comb may display the length traveled and/or instructions on how to perform a sequence of steps of cutting hair to achieve a hair style, for example a sequence of individualized instructions, for example for a specific person.

Additionally and/or alternatively, the Friendly Comb may record and/or store information about a sequence of cuts performed on a specific person, and may display the information at a later date to enable an operator to perform an identical hair style for the same person over time.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a Friendly Comb 100, according to embodiments of the present invention;

In embodiments, Friendly Comb 100 includes a processing unit 102, an indicating unit 103, and a length sensor 104. In embodiments, Friendly Comb 100 may include an input-output unit 101. In certain non-limiting embodiments, Friendly Comb 100 may further include a comb 105. In certain non-limiting embodiments, indicating unit 103 may be connected directly to length sensor 104, without intermediate connections to input-output unit 101 or processing unit 102.

In certain non-limiting embodiments, Friendly Comb 100 may further comprise a level unit 202 (not shown, see Fig. 2), an on/off control 320 (not shown, see Fig. 3), and/or a reset control 310 (not shown, see Fig. 3), some or all of which may be connected to and/or integrated within I/O 101 and/or processing unit 102.

In certain non-limiting embodiments, Friendly Comb 100 may comprise a power source, for a battery and/or AC plug, to provide power to any electrical and/or electronic units and/or components. PROCESSING UNIT 102

In certain non-limiting embodiments, processing unit 102 may include a computing device including at least one of a computer memory, a communications port, and a computer processor. Processing unit 102 may be connected to I/O 101, indicating unit 103, and/or length sensor 104. Processing unit 102 may comprise computer memory for storing sets of instructions that may be displayed on indicating unit 103. The instructions may be received from an external source, for example from a remote computer via I/O 101, and/or may be pre-loaded into the computer memory, and/or may be recorded from sequences of actions of friendly comb 100, for example a sequence of cuts at similar or varying lengths and/or offset from a horizontal axis.

INPUT-OUTPUT UNIT 101

In certain non-limiting embodiments the input-output unit 101, referred to herein as I/O 101, may comprise communications ports, for example a bar code reader, a QR reader, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular interface, data network interface, and/or any other device for inputting/outputting data. I/O 101 may be connected to Processing Unit 102, which may be connected to and provide input to indicating unit 103. Processing Unit 102 may control the operation of I/O 101, for example sending instruction to read a bar code, communicate with a wired and/or wireless network, and/or send or receive instructions from a local and/or remote device, for example an internet server and/or a local memory unit.

RO 101 USER CONTROLS

In certain non-limiting embodiments Input-output unit 101 may comprise operator controls, for example buttons, switches, knobs, and/or any other type of mechanical, electrical, electronic, and/or electro-mechanical control. For example, I/O 101 may comprise an on/off control 320, reset control 310 (see Fig. 3), and the like. I/O 101 may be configured to receive operator control input remotely, for example a Bluetooth mouse and/or keyboard, and/or instructions from a remote data source via a wired and/or wireless network.

In certain non-limiting embodiments I/O 101 may comprise a control to length sensor 104 to initiate measuring length and/or cease measuring length. For example, an operator may insert Friendly Comb 100 into hair, activate measuring length via an I/O 101 control, move Friendly Comb 100 a certain desired length/distance along the hair, and at the desired length cause length measurement to cease. Optionally, the length measurement at the time the measurement ceased may be stored, recorded, displayed, and/or available as data used in a set of instructions for styling hair, for example when cutting hair at an equal length.

INDICATING UNIT 103

In certain non-limiting embodiments Indicating unit 103 may be a visual display, for example LCD, LED, diode or other type of screen and/or display capable of displaying text and/or images, and/or may comprise a speaker or other manner of playing digital audio and/or speech, and/or a tactile feedback device, for example vibrator, click-button, click knob, and the like.

In certain non-limiting embodiments Indicating unit 103 may further comprise an alerting mechanism, for example an audible, visual, vibrating alert signals, and/or electronic signals, for example alerting by sending a message to an operator computing device via a Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, wireless, cellular, LAN, WAN, wired, wireless, and/or any other electronic communication service and/or any other type of indicator. For example, an audible alert may be activated when length sensor 104 has traveled a desired distance.

In certain non-limiting embodiments Indicating unit 103 may be adapted to receive the information to be displayed from multiple sources, for example I/O 101, Processing Unit 102, Eength sensor 104, and the like.

In certain non-limiting embodiments in some embodiments Indicating unit 103 may comprise more than one display, for example separate displays for instructions and for length traveled.

In certain non-limiting embodiments, indicating unit 103 may comprise one or more lights and/or audio device wherein a certain light may indicate to an operator pre-defined information, for example that a desired length has been achieved, a desired offset angle has been achieved, measurement has commenced, measurement has ceased, and the like. For example, when a desired length has been traveled by a Friendly Comb 100, a light of a specific color may appear and/or a specific sound may be generated. For example, a specific color light and/or sound may be associated with a specific event.

DISPEAY OF INTRUCTIONS

In certain non-limiting embodiments Friendly Comb 100 may comprise computer storage of information, for example instructions directed to an operator on steps to style hair, that may be shown on indicating unit 103. Alternatively and/or additionally, information and/or instructions may be received from a remote source, for example from a data server connected to I/O 101. The information may comprise information for the operation of friendly comb 100 for a specific person or group, for example graphical, audible, recorded speech, and/or text instructions on placement of friendly comb 100 on the person’s head and/or an indication of a length to cut hair, for example while combing the hair the display may show an indication when to stop combing and at that location cut the hair. Indicating unit 103 may be configured to display and/or play instructions and/or information to an operator of Friendly Comb 100.

In certain non-limiting embodiments, I/O 101 may transmit information to a remote location, for example a record of some or all measurements and/or cuts performed on a specific person may be transmitted to a remote server for retrieval at a later time.

In certain non-limiting embodiments the information may comprise instructions to begin combing from specific locations on the head and/or indication at what location and/or length to cut the hair.

For example, by instructions to cut hair from specific locations at different lengths, various styles of haircuts, for example feathering, bangs, and/or any other style of hair cutting.

In certain non-limiting embodiments, the instructions may include a length and an offset angle for cutting the hair. The offset angle from horizontal may be measured by level unit 202 and displayed by indicating unit 103. For example, when an operator tilts Friendly Comb 100 level unit 202 may generate, or cause to be generated by indicating unit 103, an alert and/or notification to let the operator know when the desired offset angle has been achieved. The level unit 202 may measure and/or output the offset angle of the lengthwise axis of Friendly Comb 100 compared to a horizontal axis and may for example cause indicating unit 103 to display the offset angle.

USER INPUT CONTROLS

In certain non-limiting embodiments Friendly Comb 100 may further comprise at least one operator input control, for example one or more buttons, switches, keyboards, pressure pads, motion sensors, inertial sensors, and/or any other type of sensor. The input device may be employed by the operator to store information, recall stored information, and/or other uses. In some embodiments, the input device may be integrated with I/O 101. In some embodiments, the input device may be a discrete device. Reset control 310 and on/off control 320 may be integrated with the operator input controls.

In certain non-limiting embodiments the input device may be used to save a desired length of hair, a sequence of lengths of hair, a location of hair to be cut, an angle at which to cut the hair at a desired length, and/or any other instructions related to hair cutting. For example, using I/O 101 an operator may activate a recording mode, whereby the length at which hair is cut is recorded, and sequential cuts are similarly recorded for later playback. For example, I/O 101 may allow input of information, for recording the length of hair to be cut, and/or for example measuring a length of hair using length sensor 104 and then using I/O 101 to indicate that a cut has been performed at that length location.

In certain non-limiting embodiments, I/O 101 may comprise reset control 310 (see Fig. 3), whereby activating reset control 310 causes length sensor 104 to reset to a starting state, for example to a zero length, thereby enabling initiating measurement of a new section of hair.

In certain non-limiting embodiments I/O 101 may comprise on/off control 320 (see Fig. 3), whereby activating on/off control 320 may cause Friendly Comb 100 to toggle between state of being on and being off.

In certain non-limiting embodiments, the operator input control may be used to save a desired length of hair, for example when an operator activates the input device, for example by pressing a button, that activates a mechanism that may cause friendly comb 100 to alert when the length of 30 cm is detected in subsequent combing passes. The input device may manually set a desired length, and may reset the desired length for a different person or different area on the same person.

COMB 105

In certain non-limiting embodiments Comb 105 may be any type of comb and/or brush for example a standard comb, a comb with wide gaps between teeth for curly or knotted hair, a comb with narrow gaps for example a lice comb, and/or any other type of comb. The comb may be without teeth, whereby measurement of length is accomplished by moving friendly comb 100 in contact with and/or adjacent to the hair.

Alternatively and/or additionally, Comb 105 may comprise at least one styling tool chosen from a group including combs, toothless combs, flat surfaces, non-flat surfaces, curling irons, detanglers, flat irons, hair straighteners, curling wands, steamers, laser devices, and brushes, wherein said length sensor is integrated with said styling tool.

LENGTH SENSOR 104

The length measurement device may output the length friendly comb 100 has traveled in a single pass of combing hair. The device may be an optical sensor, a pressure sensor, a mechanical length measuring device including for example optical sensors, pressure sensors, mechanical length measuring devices, inertial devices, lasers, ultrasonic devices, radars, inductive sensors, linear magnetic encoders, measuring wheels encoders, cable transducers, and sound sensors and/or any other device for measuring the length of movement of friendly comb 100 through hair. The device may measure for example from 0.1cm to 100cm, or for example 1cm to 50cm.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a side view of a Friendly Comb 100, according to embodiments of the present invention.

LEVEL UNIT 202

Level unit 202 may be a spirit, bubble, optical, laser, and/or any other type of level. The level unit 202 may be integrated with friendly comb 100, and/or detachable. Level unit 202 may be adapted to provide feedback to an operator, for example by connection to processing unit 102 and/or I/O 101, or as a visual display, for example a spirit or bubble level, when the lengthwise axis of Friendly Comb 100 has been tilted to a desired offset from a horizontal axis.

HANDLE 205

In certain non-limiting embodiments, friendly comb 100 may comprise handle 205, for example an extension from the comb for grasping by the operator. The handle may extend from the comb on either side and/or both sides of the comb, thereby enabling right-handed and/or lefthanded operation of friendly comb 100. For example, in the right-handed handle configuration indicating unit 103 may face the operator when held in the right hand.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a side view of a Friendly Comb 100, according to embodiments of the present invention.

RESET CONTROL 310 Friendly comb 100 may comprise a mechanism to reset the length measurement when the comb is removed from the person’s hair. For example, the reset may be activated by sensing the removal of hair from proximity to Friendly Comb 100, by moving Friendly Comb 100 upward, rotating Friendly Comb 100 on an axis, activating an I/O 101 control, shaking, agitating, and/or moving Friendly Comb 100 and/or any other method of inputting a signal to reset.

FIG. 4a is a schematic illustration of a side view of a Friendly Comb, according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4b is a schematic illustration of a side view of a Friendly Comb, according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a back side view of a Friendly Comb, according to embodiments of the present invention.

In certain non-limiting embodiments, length sensor 104 may be located on an opposite side of Friendly Comb 100 from indicating unit 103.

FIG. 6a is a schematic illustration of a back side view of a Friendly Comb, according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6b is a schematic illustration of a back side view of a Friendly Comb, according to embodiments of the present invention. In certain non-limiting embodiments, length sensor 104 may be located on an opposite side of Friendly Comb 100 from indicating unit 103.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a flow chart of a method for styling hair using a Friendly Comb, according to embodiments of the present invention.

In certain non-limiting embodiments, a method 700 of using a Friendly Comb may comprise the following steps. Some or all steps may be repeated, performed out of order, and/or omitted.

701: selecting a starting point on hair of a body or head;

702: placing a Friendly Comb in proximity to the starting point;

703: moving the Friendly Comb along a length of the hair, the hair styling device displaying instructions indicating when a desired length has been reached; and

704: using a surface of the hair styling device as a guide to cutting the hair.

In certain non-limiting embodiments, step 704 may further comprise the Friendly Comb indicating an offset angle relative to horizontal, and tilting and/or orienting the hair styling device to the offset angle, and using the Friendly Comb as a guide for cutting the hair along the offset angle. In certain non-limiting embodiments, the Friendly Comb may provide an indicator to the operator that the desired length and/or offset angle has been achieved.

In certain non-limiting embodiments, step 701 my further comprise assigning as a starting point a vertical level corresponding to an anatomical feature of the head, and repeating the steps a plurality of iterations starting along a horizontal level corresponding to the horizontal level of the anatomical feature. The anatomical feature may be for example the base of the skull, the bottom of ear lobes, and/or any other anatomical feature.

In certain non-limiting embodiments, step 701 may further comprise combing the head of hair so that there is a part in the middle of the head, running from front to back, and/or combing the hair to the back of the person.

In certain non-limiting embodiments, method 700 may further comprise repeating the above steps, and for each iteration of the above steps the Friendly Comb display unit displays instructions for differing desired lengths.

In certain non-limiting embodiments, method 700 may further comprise repeating the above steps, wherein for each iteration of the steps the Friendly Comb indication unit may display at least one instruction from a sequential set of instructions for styling a head of hair.

Implementation of the method and/or devices of embodiments of the invention can involve performing or completing selected tasks manually, automatically, or a combination thereof. Moreover, according to actual instrumentation and equipment of embodiments of the method and/or system of the invention, several selected tasks could be implemented by hardware, by software or by firmware or by a combination thereof using an operating system.

For example, hardware for performing selected tasks according to embodiments of the invention could be implemented as a chip or a circuit, or a virtual machine or virtual hardware. As software, selected tasks according to embodiments of the invention could be implemented as a plurality of software instructions being executed by a computer, with or without using any suitable operating system. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, one or more tasks according to exemplary embodiments of method and/or system as described herein are performed by a data processor, such as a computing platform for executing a plurality of instructions. In certain non-limiting embodiments, the data processor includes a volatile memory for storing instructions and/or data and/or a non-volatile storage, for example, non-transitory storage media such as a magnetic hard-disk and/or removable media, for storing instructions and/or data. In certain non-limiting embodiments, a network connection is provided as well. A screen, display and/or an operator input device such as a keyboard or mouse are in certain nonlimiting embodiments provided as well.

For example, any combination of one or more non-transitory computer readable (storage) medium(s) may be utilized in accordance with the above-listed embodiments of the present invention. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable storage medium would include the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable non-transitory storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

A “computer”, “processor”, “processing unit”, and/or any other term referring to a machine that executes coded instructions, includes machines, computers and computing or computer systems (for example, physically separate locations or devices), servers, computer and computerized devices, processors, processing systems, computing cores (for example, shared devices), and similar systems, workstations, modules and combinations of the aforementioned. The aforementioned “computer” may be in various types, such as a personal computer (e.g., laptop, desktop, tablet computer), or any type of computing device, including mobile devices that can be readily transported from one location to another location (e.g., smart phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), mobile telephone or cellular- telephone).

A “server” is typically a remote computer or remote computer system, or computer program therein, in accordance with the “computer” defined above, that is accessible over a communications medium, such as a communications network or other computer network, including the Internet. A “server” provides services to, or performs functions for, other computer programs (and their users), in the same or other computers. A server may also include a virtual machine, a software -based emulation of a computer.

Unless otherwise defined herein, all technical and/or scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein may be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the invention, exemplary methods and/or materials are described below. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be necessarily limiting.

As will be understood with reference to the paragraphs and the referenced drawings, provided above, various embodiments of computer-implemented methods are provided herein, some of which can be performed by various embodiments of apparatuses and systems described herein and some of which can be performed according to instructions stored in non-transitory computer-readable storage media described herein. Still, some embodiments of computer- implemented methods provided herein can be performed by other apparatuses or systems and can be performed according to instructions stored in computer-readable storage media other than that described herein, as will become apparent to those having skill in the art with reference to the embodiments described herein. Any reference to systems and computer-readable storage media with respect to the following computer-implemented methods is provided for explanatory purposes, and is not intended to limit any of such systems and any of such non-transitory computer-readable storage media with regard to embodiments of computer-implemented methods described above. Likewise, any reference to the following computer-implemented methods with respect to systems and computer-readable storage media is provided for explanatory purposes, and is not intended to limit any of such computer-implemented methods disclosed herein.

The flowcharts and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

The above-described processes including portions thereof can be performed by software, hardware and combinations thereof. These processes and portions thereof can be performed by computers, computer-type devices, workstations, processors, micro-processors, other electronic searching tools and memory and other non-transitory storage-type devices associated therewith. The processes and portions thereof can also be embodied in programmable non-transitory storage media, for example, compact discs (CDs) or other discs including magnetic, optical, etc., readable by a machine or the like, or other computer usable storage media, including magnetic, optical, or semiconductor storage, or other source of electronic signals.

The processes (methods) and devices, including components thereof, herein have been described with exemplary reference to specific hardware and software. The processes (methods) have been described as exemplary, whereby specific steps and their order can be omitted and/or changed by persons of ordinary skill in the art to reduce these embodiments to practice without undue experimentation. The processes (methods) and systems have been described in a manner sufficient to enable persons of ordinary skill in the art to readily adapt other hardware and software as may be needed to reduce any of the embodiments to practice without undue experimentation and using conventional techniques.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

As used herein, the singular form "a", "an" and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance or illustration”. Any embodiment described as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments and/or to exclude the incorporation of features from other embodiments. It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub combination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the invention. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments are not to be considered essential features of those embodiments, unless the embodiment is inoperative without those elements.

To the extent that the appended claims have been drafted without multiple dependencies, this has been done only to accommodate formal requirements in 30 jurisdictions which do not allow such multiple dependencies. It should be noted that all possible combinations of features which would be implied by rendering the claims multiply dependent are explicitly envisaged and should be considered part of the invention.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

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