METHODS, SYSTEMS, APPARATUSES, AND DEVICES FOR FACILITATING PERFORMING BATHING BY AN INDIVIDUAL

Abstract

The present invention is an apparatus for facilitating performing bathing by an individual. Throughout various embodiments, said apparatus comprises a shower stall and a chair assembly. The present invention may transport a bather while seated into its bath border, support them, then exit (by the use of a remote) back to the edge of a tub, accomplishing not stepping, merely approaching the bathtub sit-down swivels to forward position.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising: a shower stall; a chair assembly.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one lateral panel; and a base panel;

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said at least one lateral panel further comprises four side panels attached to each other along vertical edges; wherein said base panel may be attached to the at least one lateral panel.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said base panel provides a floor surface; and wherein said base panel provides a surface for movement of said chair assembly.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said chair assembly further comprises a chair; and a base support.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said chair further comprises a back panel; at least one arm rest; a seating panel; and a plurality of legs; wherein said at least one arm rest and said back panel are attached to said seating panel; wherein said plurality of legs are attached to a lower surface of said seating panel; and wherein said base support is attached to a lower end of said plurality of legs.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said base support further comprises a round support platform; and a swiveling mechanism.

8. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising: a propulsion assembly; wherein said propulsion assembly is connected to said chair; wherein said chair can move between a plurality of positions between a door section position and a bathing position;

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said propulsion assembly further comprises a conveyor belt; and a propulsion mechanism.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said propulsion mechanism further comprises a motor; and a power source; wherein said power source is electrically coupled to said motor;

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said power source further comprises a rechargeable battery.

12. An apparatus comprising: a shower stall; a chair assembly; at least one lateral panel; and a base panel; wherein said chair assembly further comprises a chair; and a base support.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said at least one lateral panel further comprises four side panels attached to each other along vertical edges; wherein said base panel may be attached to the at least one lateral panel.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said base panel provides a floor surface; and wherein said base panel provides a surface for movement of said chair assembly.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said chair further comprises a back panel; at least one arm rest; a seating panel; and a plurality of legs; wherein said at least one arm rest and said back panel are attached to said seating panel; wherein said plurality of legs are attached to a lower surface of said seating panel; and wherein said base support is attached to a lower end of said plurality of legs.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said base support further comprises a round support platform; and a swiveling mechanism.

17. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising: a propulsion assembly; wherein said propulsion assembly is connected to said chair; wherein said chair can move between a plurality of positions between a door section position and a bathing position;

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said propulsion assembly further comprises a conveyor belt; and a propulsion mechanism.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said propulsion mechanism further comprises a motor; and a power source; wherein said power source is electrically coupled to said motor; and wherein said power source further comprises a rechargeable battery.

20. An apparatus comprising: a shower stall; a chair assembly; at least one lateral panel; and a base panel; wherein said chair assembly further comprises a chair; and a base support. wherein said at least one lateral panel further comprises four side panels attached to each other along vertical edges; wherein said base panel may be attached to the at least one lateral panel; wherein said base panel provides a floor surface; wherein said base panel provides a surface for movement of said chair assembly.; wherein said chair further comprises a back panel; at least one arm rest; a seating panel; a plurality of legs; wherein said at least one arm rest and said back panel are attached to said seating panel; wherein said plurality of legs are attached to a lower surface of said seating panel; wherein said base support is attached to a lower end of said plurality of legs. wherein said base support further comprises a round support platform; a swiveling mechanism; and a propulsion assembly; wherein said propulsion assembly is connected to said chair; wherein said chair can move between a plurality of positions between a door section position and a bathing position; wherein said propulsion assembly further comprises a conveyor belt; and a propulsion mechanism. wherein said propulsion mechanism further comprises a motor; and a power source; wherein said power source is electrically coupled to said motor; and wherein said power source further comprises a rechargeable battery.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate various embodiments of the present disclosure. The drawings contain representations of various trademarks and copyrights owned by the Applicants. In addition, the drawings may contain other marks owned by third parties and are being used for illustrative purposes only. All rights to various trademarks and copyrights represented herein, except those belonging to their respective owners, are vested in and the property of the applicants. The applicants retain and reserve all rights in their trademarks and copyrights included herein, and grant permission to reproduce the material only in connection with reproduction of the granted patent and for no other purpose.

[0011] Furthermore, the drawings may contain text or captions that may explain certain embodiments of the present disclosure. This text is included for illustrative, non-limiting, explanatory purposes of certain embodiments detailed in the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 1 is an illustration of an online platform consistent with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates an apparatus for facilitating performing bathing by an individual, in accordance with some embodiment.

[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates the chair, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0015] FIG. 4 illustrates the plurality of legs of the chair, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates a leg rest comprised in the chair, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0017] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a system for facilitating performing bathing by an individual, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0018] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a computing device for implementing the methods disclosed herein, in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one having ordinary skill in the relevant art that the present disclosure has broad utility and application. As should be understood, any embodiment may incorporate only one or a plurality of the above-disclosed aspects of the disclosure and may further incorporate only one or a plurality of the above-disclosed features. Furthermore, any embodiment discussed and identified as being preferred is considered to be part of a best mode contemplated for carrying out the embodiments of the present disclosure. Other embodiments also may be discussed for additional illustrative purposes in providing a full and enabling disclosure. Moreover, many embodiments, such as adaptations, variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosed by the embodiments described herein and fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0020] Accordingly, while embodiments are described herein in detail in relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the present disclosure, and are made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure. The detailed disclosure herein of one or more embodiments is not intended, nor is to be construed, to limit the scope of patent protection afforded in any claim of a patent issuing here from, which scope is to be defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof. It is not intended that the scope of patent protection be defined by reading into any claim a limitation found herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.

[0021] Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps of various processes or methods that are described herein are illustrative and not restrictive.

[0022] Accordingly, it should be understood that, although steps of various processes or methods may be shown and described as being in a sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processes or methods are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence or order, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps in such processes or methods generally may be carried out in various different sequences and orders while still falling within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of patent protection is to be defined by the issued claim(s) rather than the description set forth herein.

[0023] Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refers to that which an ordinary artisan would understand such term to mean based on the contextual use of such term herein. To the extent that the meaning of a term used herein-as understood by the ordinary artisan based on the contextual use of such term-differs in any way from any particular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that the meaning of the term as understood by the ordinary artisan should prevail.

[0024] Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, a and an each generally denotes at least one, but does not exclude a plurality unless the contextual use dictates otherwise. When used herein to join a list of items, or denotes at least one of the items, but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Finally, when used herein to join a list of items, and denotes all of the items of the list.

[0025] The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the following description to refer to the same or similar elements. While many embodiments of the disclosure may be described, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible. For example, substitutions, additions, or modifications may be made to the elements illustrated in the drawings, and the methods described herein may be modified by substituting, reordering, or adding stages to the disclosed methods. Accordingly, the following detailed description does not limit the disclosure. Instead, the proper scope of the disclosure is defined by the appended claims. The present disclosure contains headers. It should be understood that these headers are used as references and are not to be construed as limiting upon the subjected matter disclosed under the header. The present disclosure includes many aspects and features. Moreover, while many aspects and features relate to, and are described in the context of methods, systems, apparatuses, and devices for facilitating performing bathing by an individual, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to use only in this context. Overview:

[0026] The present disclosure describes methods, systems, apparatuses, and devices for facilitating performing bathing by an individual. Further, Ultimate Bath Mate Device (UBMD), an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatus herein, may be designed to transport. Further, the disclosed apparatus may allow a bather to sit on a unique seat that swivels from 12 o'clock to 3 o'clock. Further, the disclosed apparatus may transport the bather while seated into its bath border, support them, then exit (by the use of a remote) back to the edge of a tub, accomplishing not stepping, merely approaching the bathtub sit-down swivels to forward position. Further, this may be the only action required, upon entering and exiting, eliminating the hazard of stumbling and stepping.

[0027] Further, the disclosed apparatus may work remotely. Further, the disclosed apparatus may be a mechanical device, The (UBMD) may include colored buttons on its arm signifying what color designates each prompt. The seat or chair may be propelled by a sort of conveyor belt installed & operating on a floor of a bath stall. Further, the apparatus may include one complete unit (bathtub platform) comprising the bath stall. Further, the seat moves across the bottom of the unit, it moves east & west, to a center tub, to the floor area. Further, the apparatus may include an integrated circuit, a battery, a capacitor, the chair, the conveyor belt, and an adjusted front frame on the tub operated by the remote. The (UBMD) may be designed again to eliminate as many hazards as possible around entering & exiting while ensuring that all aspects of what is experienced are comfortable.

[0028] The UBMD may be designed to address the risks individuals with mobility issues face in bath areas.

[0029] The UBMD may be built within the bathtub shower stall (or bath stall), because, of the issues around shower heads and their locations. Further, the UBMD may include a room for the apparatus to function at capacity. Further, the UBMD may include two arm rests that may lift up and down.

[0030] Because the UBMD is designed for people with disabilities, special attention is paid to how entering and exiting the area has to be. The water has to be turned on before entering the shower area so the turn on and off switch is placed in an appropriate place. Further, the chair appropriately may be placed to get the full force of the water jets. Further, the bath stall may include a place for essentials inlaid. The UBMD may convert to face any shower head direction, thus the reason for its own stall.

[0031] Further, the chair may be built to travel across the floor of the bath or shower area to the edge of the stall to then automatically swivel to 3 o'clock thereby placing or elevating or hoovering the unit on the outside of the bathing area to the floor area. Making it accessible to the user, once it has gathered the client, the chair may automatically swivel back into the home position, and retreat back into the base of the unit or stall. Further, the chair may be configured to turn to 3 o'clock inside the shower area to accommodate rinsing and allow for lathering, to 6 o'clock to rinse and enjoy the jet spray to the upper back and neck area, while then shampooing in a reclining position. Further, the individual may position himself back at 12 o'clock before exiting the shower area to an external floor area safely.

[0032] Further, the chair may include a neck rest along a top edge of a backrest panel of the chair. Further, the backrest panel may include a solid portion for back support in the middle, allowing for the upper & lower openings, (found on the back of the UBMD). Further, in some embodiments, the back rest panel may be reclined by operating using the remote. Further, in some embodiments, the chair may include neck pads configured for providing lateral stability to a neck of the individual.

[0033] FIG. 1 is an illustration of an online platform 100 consistent with various embodiments of the present disclosure. By way of non-limiting example, the online platform 100 for facilitating performing bathing by an individual may be hosted on a centralized server 102, such as, for example, a cloud computing service. The centralized server 102 may communicate with other network entities, such as, for example, a mobile device 106 (such as a smartphone, a laptop, a tablet computer, etc.), other electronic devices 110 (such as desktop computers, server computers, etc.), databases 114, sensors 116, actuators (not shown) and an apparatus 118 (such as the apparatus for facilitating performing bathing) over a communication network 104, such as, but not limited to, the Internet. Further, users of the online platform 100 may include relevant parties such as, but not limited to, end-users, service providers, service receivers, and administrators. Accordingly, in some instances, electronic devices operated by the one or more relevant parties may be in communication with the online platform 100.

[0034] A user 112, such as the one or more relevant parties, may access the online platform 100 through a web-based software application or browser. The web-based software application may be embodied as, for example, but not be limited to, a website, a web application, a desktop application, and a mobile application compatible with a computing device 700.

[0035] FIG. 2 illustrates an apparatus for facilitating performing bathing by an individual, in accordance with some embodiment. Accordingly, the apparatus may include a shower stall and a chair assembly. Further, the shower stall may include at least one lateral panel and a base panel. Further, in an instance, the at least one lateral panel may include four side panels attached to each other along vertical edges. Further, the base panel may be attached to the at least one lateral panel. Further, the base panel may provide a floor surface to allow the individual to take bath. Further, the base panel may include a surface for movement of the chair assembly. Further, the individual at a bathing position may be proximal to a bathing equipment such as a tap, shower, etc. Further, the chair assembly may include a chair and a base support. Further, the chair may include a back panel configured for providing support to a back body part of the individual, at least one arm rest to allow the individual to rest his arms upon, and a seating panel for providing a surface to the individual to sit. Further, in an instance, the apparatus may include two arm rests. Further, the two arms may lift up leaving the sides open, and brought back down. The chair assembly may be designed to sit while showering and maneuver around in an open space provided by an open area inside the shower stall.

[0036] Further, the at least one arm rest and the back panel may be attached to the seating panel. Further, the chair may include a plurality of legs attached to a lower surface of the seating panel. Further, the base support may be attached to a lower end of the plurality of legs. Further, the base support may include a round support platform for bearing a weight of the chair. Further, the base support may include a swiveling mechanism configured for rotating (swiveling) the chair about a vertical axis. Further, the apparatus may include a propulsion assembly configured for moving the chair between a plurality of positions between a door section and the bathing position. Further, the propulsion assembly may include a conveyor belt and a propulsion mechanism configured for moving the conveyor belt. Further, the propulsion mechanism may include a motor. Further, the apparatus may include a power source electrically coupled to the motor. Further, the power source may be configured for providing electrical power to the motor. Further, in some embodiments, the power source may include a rechargeable power source such as a battery. Further, the apparatus may include a lift section (in an instance, the lift section may be 2 inches in height) along a border of the shower stall. Further, the lift section may be disposed along a periphery of the base panel to stop water from pouring onto the surface.

[0037] Further, the controls may disposed on one of the two arm rests. Further, the at least one armrest may include a plurality of buttons configured to be transitioned between a depressed state and an embossed state based on a pressing action by the individual. Further, the plurality of buttons may include at least one back panel button, at least one conveyor button, and at least one chair swivel button. Further, the apparatus may include a plurality of sensors corresponding to the plurality of buttons.

[0038] Further, the apparatus may include a processing device communicatively coupled with the plurality of sensors configured for detecting a state of the plurality of buttons. Further, each of the plurality of sensors may be configured for generating at least one sensor data based on the detecting. Further, the processing device may be configured for processing the at least one sensor data. Further, the processing device may be configured for determining a state of the each of the plurality of buttons. Further, the processing device may be configured for generating a command corresponding to a button of the plurality of buttons based on the state. Further, the apparatus may include a back panel actuator, a conveyor actuator, and a swivel actuator communicatively coupled with the processing device. Further, the back panel may include a reclining mechanism configured for reclining the back panel to a degree. Further, the reclining mechanism may be mechanically coupled with the back panel actuator. Further, the back panel actuator may be configured for reclining the back panel based on the command. Further, the conveyor actuator may be mechanically coupled with the propulsion mechanism. Further, the conveyor actuator may be configured for moving the conveyor belt based on the command. Further, the swivel actuator may be mechanically coupled with the swiveling mechanism. Further, the swivel actuator may be configured for swiveling the chair based on the command. Further, the power source may be electrically coupled to the back panel actuator, the conveyor actuator, and the swivel actuator. Further, the power source may be configured for providing electrical power to the back panel actuator, the conveyor actuator, and the swivel actuator.

[0039] Further, in some embodiments, the apparatus may include a communication device configured for receiving a back inclination request from at least one user device associated with a user (such as the individual). Further, the back inclination request may include an angle to which the user may want to incline the back panel. Further, in some embodiments, the user may include a healthcare provider. Further, the processing device may be configured for generating the command corresponding to the back panel actuator based on the back inclination request. Further, the at least one user device may include a smartphone, a laptop, a mobile, etc.

[0040] Further, in some embodiments, the communication device may be configured for receiving a swiveling request from the at least one user device. Further, the swiveling request may include a measure or an angle to which the user may want to swivel or rotate the chair. Further, the processing device may be configured for generating the command corresponding to the swivel actuator based on the swiveling request.

[0041] FIG. 3 illustrates the chair, in accordance with some embodiments. Accordingly, the chair may include a back panel configured for providing support to a back body part of the individual, at least one arm rest to allow the individual to rest his arms upon, and a seating panel for providing a surface to the individual to sit.

[0042] FIG. 4 illustrates the plurality of legs of the chair, in accordance with some embodiments. Accordingly, the chair may include the legs on a round support platform for the chair to sit on top of, that may be built up from the floor. Further, the apparatus may include a support between the legs and the seat to stabilize the legs and allow for the seat to swivel.

[0043] Further, in some embodiments, the chair may include a leg rest. Further, the floor may be slightly lifted on an outside ledge to keep water back from the floor.

[0044] FIG. 5 illustrates a leg rest comprised in the chair, in accordance with some embodiments. Accordingly, the leg rest may provide a support to allow the individual to place his lower limbs or legs on the leg rest.

[0045] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a system for facilitating performing bathing by an individual, in accordance with some embodiments. Accordingly, the system may include a communicator (such as the communication device) communicatively coupled with a processor (such as the processing device). Further, the communicator may be communicatively coupled with the apparatus.

[0046] With reference to FIG. 7, a system consistent with an embodiment of the disclosure may include a computing device or cloud service, such as computing device 700. In a basic configuration, computing device 700 may include at least one processing unit 702 and a system memory 704. Depending on the configuration and type of computing device, system memory 704 may comprise, but is not limited to, volatile (e.g. random-access memory (RAM)), non-volatile (e.g. read-only memory (ROM)), flash memory, or any combination. System memory 704 may include operating system 705, one or more programming modules 706, and may include a program data 707. Operating system 705, for example, may be suitable for controlling computing device 700s operation. In one embodiment, programming modules 706 may include image-processing module, machine learning module and/or image classifying module. Furthermore, embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced in conjunction with a graphics library, other operating systems, or any other application program and is not limited to any particular application or system. This basic configuration is illustrated in FIG. 7 by those components within a dashed line 708.

[0047] Computing device 700 may have additional features or functionality. For example, computing device 700 may also include additional data storage devices (removable and/or non-removable) such as, for example, magnetic disks, optical disks, or tape. Such additional storage is illustrated in FIG. 7 by a removable storage 709 and a non-removable storage 710. Computer storage media may include volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information, such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. System memory 704, removable storage 709, and non-removable storage 710 are all computer storage media examples (i.e., memory storage.) Computer storage media may include, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, electrically erasable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store information and which can be accessed by computing device 700. Any such computer storage media may be part of device 700. Computing device 700 may also have input device(s) 712 such as a keyboard, a mouse, a pen, a sound input device, a touch input device, a location sensor, a camera, a biometric sensor, etc. Output device(s) 714 such as a display, speakers, a printer, etc. may also be included. The aforementioned devices are examples and others may be used.

[0048] Computing device 700 may also contain a communication connection 716 that may allow device 700 to communicate with other computing devices 718, such as over a network in a distributed computing environment, for example, an intranet or the Internet. Communication connection 716 is one example of communication media. Communication media may typically be embodied by computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal, such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism, and includes any information delivery media. The term modulated data signal may describe a signal that has one or more characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media may include wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, radio frequency (RF), infrared, and other wireless media. The term computer-readable media as used herein may include both storage media and communication media.

[0049] As stated above, a number of program modules and data files may be stored in system memory 704, including operating system 705. While executing on processing unit 702, programming modules 706 (e.g., application 720 such as a media player) may perform processes including, for example, one or more stages of methods, algorithms, systems, applications, servers, databases as described above. The aforementioned process is an example, and processing unit 702 may perform other processes. Other programming modules that may be used in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure may include sound encoding/decoding applications, machine learning application, acoustic classifiers, etc.

[0050] Generally, consistent with embodiments of the disclosure, program modules may include routines, programs, components, data structures, and other types of structures that may perform particular tasks or that may implement particular abstract data types. Moreover, embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced with other computer system configurations, including hand-held devices, general-purpose graphics processor-based systems, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, application-specific integrated circuit-based electronics, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like. Embodiments of the disclosure may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

[0051] Furthermore, embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced in an electrical circuit comprising discrete electronic elements, packaged or integrated electronic chips containing logic gates, a circuit utilizing a microprocessor, or on a single chip containing electronic elements or microprocessors. Embodiments of the disclosure may also be practiced using other technologies capable of performing logical operations such as, for example, AND, OR, and NOT, including but not limited to mechanical, optical, fluidic, and quantum technologies. In addition, embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced within a general-purpose computer or in any other circuits or systems.

[0052] Embodiments of the disclosure, for example, may be implemented as a computer process (method), a computing system, or as an article of manufacture, such as a computer program product or computer-readable media. The computer program product may be a computer storage media readable by a computer system and encoding a computer program of instructions for executing a computer process. The computer program product may also be a propagated signal on a carrier readable by a computing system and encoding a computer program of instructions for executing a computer process. Accordingly, the present disclosure may be embodied in hardware and/or in software (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.). In other words, embodiments of the present disclosure may take the form of a computer program product on a computer-usable or computer-readable storage medium having computer-usable or computer-readable program code embodied in the medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system. A computer-usable or computer-readable medium may be any medium that can contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0053] The computer-usable or computer-readable medium may be, for example but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, device, or propagation medium. More specific computer-readable medium examples (a non-exhaustive list), the computer-readable medium may include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a random-access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, and a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM). Note that the computer-usable or computer-readable medium could even be paper or another suitable medium upon which the program is printed, as the program can be electronically captured, via, for instance, optical scanning of the paper or other medium, then compiled, interpreted, or otherwise processed in a suitable manner, if necessary, and then stored in a computer memory. Embodiments of the present disclosure, for example, are described above with reference to block diagrams and/or operational illustrations of methods, systems, and computer program products according to embodiments of the disclosure. The functions/acts noted in the blocks may occur out of the order as shown in any flowchart. 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/acts involved.

[0054] While certain embodiments of the disclosure have been described, other embodiments may exist. Furthermore, although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described as being associated with data stored in memory and other storage mediums, data can also be stored on or read from other types of computer-readable media, such as secondary storage devices, like hard disks, solid-state storage (e.g., USB drive), or a CD-ROM, a carrier wave from the Internet, or other forms of RAM or ROM. Further, the disclosed methods' stages may be modified in any manner, including by reordering stages and/or inserting or deleting stages, without departing from the disclosure.

[0055] Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.