Patent Application
20220265888
Various embodiments described herein relate generally to devices and methods for the filtration of air, and more particularly to a self-contained apparatus for air purification capable of being adapted for use in any substantially enclosed environment.
Pollens, lung damaging dust, smoke, bacteria, viruses, dust mites, and a number of other irritants and microorganisms are commonly found in the ambient air of an enclosed area. It has long been recognized that filtration of air through some air purification means can combat some of the effects of airborne particulate contamination. There is a need for an air purifying device for removing airborne contaminate particles with an improved configuration which enhances the efficiency of removing airborne contaminate particles in an enclosed area.
The following presents a simplified summary of one or more embodiments of the present invention, in order to provide a basic understanding of such embodiments. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated embodiments and is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of all embodiments nor delineate the scope of any or all embodiments. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
An air purifying device is provided in one embodiment, the air purifying device comprising: a housing defining an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture; a primary filtration unit positioned within the housing, the primary filtration unit positioned proximate to the inlet aperture and configured to receive air through the inlet aperture for treatment; a secondary filtration unit positioned within the housing, the secondary filtration unit positioned proximate to the outlet aperture and configured to exhaust air through the outlet aperture; a particulate filtration unit positioned within the housing, the particulate filtration unit positioned between the primary filtration unit and the secondary filtration unit, the particulate filtration unit having an aperture that is capable of slidably receiving an ultra-low particle (ULPA) filter via an access opening; wherein an airflow pathway is provided for flow of air from the primary filtration unit to the secondary filtration unit through the particulate filtration unit.
In some embodiments, the air purifying device further comprises an inlet air distributor adapted to be detachably coupled to the housing proximate to the inlet aperture, wherein the inlet air distributor is configured to direct air into the inlet aperture for treatment.
In some embodiments, the air purifying device further comprises an outlet air distributor adapted to be detachably coupled to the housing proximate to the outlet aperture, wherein the outlet air distributor is configured to direct air received from the outlet aperture.
In some embodiments, the air purifying device further comprises an access terminal positioned on the housing, the access terminal being configured for controlling operation of the primary filtration unit, the secondary filtration unit, and the particulate filtration unit.
In some embodiments, the access terminal is configured to be in network communication with at least one of a user device and/or a central server, wherein the access terminal is configured to control the operation of the primary filtration unit, the secondary filtration unit, and the particulate filtration unit through the network communication with at least the user device and/or the central server.
In some embodiments, the particulate filtration unit comprises a plurality of stabilizing elements arranged on an interior wall of the aperture, the plurality of stabilizing elements is configured to slidably receive the ultra-low particle air (ULPA) filter such that when the ultra-low particle air (ULPA) filter is inserted into the particulate filtration unit through the access opening, the plurality of stabilizing elements form a secure seal with at least a top edge and a bottom edge of the ultra-low particle air (ULPA) filter.
In some embodiments, the primary filtration unit further comprises: a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, the high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter positioned proximate to the inlet aperture and configured to pre-filter airborne particulate matter from the air received from the inlet aperture; an inlet airflow sensor, the airflow sensor positioned proximate to the high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter and configured to receive air filtered by the high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter; an airflow regulation device; and a plurality of ultraviolet light sources, the plurality of ultraviolet light sources is adapted to be positioned longitudinally within the primary filtration unit, wherein the airflow regulation device is configured to regulate and direct the flow of air filtered by the high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter towards the plurality of ultraviolet light sources.
In some embodiments, the high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter is configured to pre-filter airborne particulate matter of a size equal to or greater than 0.3 micron from the air received from the inlet aperture.
In some embodiments, the inlet airflow sensor is configured to measure a flow rate of air filtered by the high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter.
In some embodiments, the airflow regulation device is configured to regulate and direct the flow of air filtered by the high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter towards the plurality of ultraviolet light sources based on at least the flow rate of air measured by the inlet airflow sensor.
In some embodiments, the plurality of ultraviolet light sources is configured to generate short wave ultraviolet radiation (UV-C) to treat the air filtered by the high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter and displaced by the airflow regulation device.
In some embodiments, the ultra-low particle air (ULPA) filter is configured to filter airborne particulate matter from the air passed through the plurality of ultraviolet light sources in the primary filtration unit, wherein the air is moved from the primary filtration unit to the particulate filtration unit via the airflow pathway.
In some embodiments, the ultra-low particle air (ULPA) filter is configured to filter airborne particulate matter of a size equal to or greater than 0.12 micron from the air received from the primary filtration unit.
In some embodiments, the secondary filtration unit further comprises: a plurality of ultraviolet light sources, the plurality of ultraviolet light sources is adapted to be positioned longitudinally within the secondary filtration unit; an airflow regulation device; and an outlet airflow sensor, the outlet airflow sensor positioned proximate to the outlet aperture and configured to receive air from the airflow regulation device, wherein the airflow regulation device is configured to regulate and direct the flow of air from the plurality of ultraviolet light sources towards the outlet airflow sensor and the outlet aperture.
In some embodiments, the outlet airflow sensor is configured to measure a flow rate of air received from the airflow regulation device.
In some embodiments, the airflow regulation device is configured to regulate and direct the flow of air from the plurality of ultraviolet light sources towards outlet aperture based on at least the flow rate of air measured by the outlet airflow sensor.
In some embodiments, the plurality of ultraviolet light sources is configured to generate short wave ultraviolet radiation (UV-C) to treat the air received via the airflow pathway from the particulate filtration unit.
In some embodiments, the air purifying device further comprises a humidifier unit positioned within the housing, the humidifier unit configured to infuse moisture into the air prior to exhausting the air through the outlet aperture, the humidifier unit further comprising: a plurality of water filters, the plurality of water filters configured to remove waterborne contaminate matter to produce filtered water; a water basin, the water basin configured to receive filtered water from the plurality of water filters; a float valve, the float value configured to measure a water level in the water basin; and a wick cartridge, the wick cartridge configured to absorb the filtered water from the water basin, and wherein the wick cartridge is configured to infuse moisture into the air when the air is passed through the wick cartridge.
In some embodiments, the housing is adapted to be mounted in line with or intermediate of a plurality of framing members of a wall in a concealed configuration.
In some embodiments, the housing is adapted to be mounted on the surface of the wall in an exposed configuration.
The features, functions, and advantages that have been discussed may be achieved independently in various embodiments of the present invention or may be combined with yet other embodiments, further details of which can be seen with reference to the following description and drawings.
Having thus described embodiments of the invention in general terms, reference will now be made the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all, embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.
It should be understood that “operatively coupled,” as used herein, means that the components may be formed integrally with each other, or may be formed separately and coupled together. Furthermore, “operatively coupled” means that the components may be formed directly to each other, or to each other with one or more components located between the components that are operatively coupled together. Furthermore, “operatively coupled” may mean that the components are detachably coupled with each other, or that they are permanently coupled together. In embodiments where the components are detachably coupled, it should be understood that the components are coupled using suitable engagement members, including but not limited to, screws, bolts, adhesive, snap fit, friction fit, magnets, welds, a tongue in groove arrangement, pin, and/or another suitable mechanism. Furthermore, operatively coupled components may mean that the components retain at least some freedom of movement in one or more directions or may be rotated about an axis (i.e., rotationally coupled, pivotally coupled). The engagement members may be made from a suitable material or a combination of materials such as metal, metal alloy, plastic, plastic composite, wood, and/or the like. Furthermore, “operatively coupled” may mean that components may be electronically connected and/or in fluid communication with one another.
It should also be understood that any component, unit, part, or formation described, may have various dimensions. Any dimensional values attributed to a component, unit, part, or formation is to be considered as a particular, non-limiting, embodiment of the invention. Each component, unit, part, or formation may have other values different than the discussed non-limiting embodiment. Those of skill in the art will recognize the various dimensions of any component, unit, part, or formation described herein within the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed.
Pollens, lung damaging dust, smoke, bacteria, viruses, dust mites, and a number of other irritants and microorganisms are commonly found in the ambient air of an enclosed area. It has long been recognized that purification of air can combat some of the effects of airborne particulate contamination. Embodiments of the invention are directed to an air purifying device for filtering airborne contaminate particles and for sterilizing the air by means of ultraviolet radiation. To this end, the invention provides an improved configuration and method which enhances the efficiency of filtering airborne contaminate particles in an enclosed area. Moreover, the self-contained construction of the air purifying device allows for relatively effortless installation and operation as a wall-mounted unit that may be powered using any conventional power source. In one embodiment, the air purifying device is powered by an alternating current (AC) power supply (e.g., connection to a wall outlet). In another embodiment, the air purifying device 100 may be alternatively or additionally powered through a direct current (DC) power supply by way of an internal battery that functions as an auxiliary or emergency power supply should a primary power supply fail (e.g., power outage).
Air Purifying Device Construction
As illustrated in
In some embodiments, a second end of the inlet air distributor may be configured to be operatively coupled to an existing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system installed to provide environmental comfort in the enclosed area. In one aspect, the inlet air distributor is configured to be operatively coupled to a supply air duct of the HVAC system. In another aspect, the inlet air distributor is configured to operatively be coupled to a return air duct of the HVAC system. In some other embodiments, the second end of the inlet air distributor may be configured to draw air from an enclosed area (e.g., room, hallway, corridor) rendering the air purifying device 100 to be truly stand-alone in its configuration. In this regard, the second end of the inlet air distributor 104 may be configured to draw air from the upper strata of the enclosed area (e.g., proximate to the ceiling). In its stand-alone configuration, the air purifying device 100 removes contaminated air from the enclosed area independently of the common air mass in circulation from the existing HVAC system via the inlet air distributor 104 by creating a negative pressure channel (as described in further detail below). In one aspect, the second end of the inlet air distributor 104 may be operatively coupled to a perforated cover, such as a grille, register, vent, and/or the like to draw air from the ambient air in the enclosed area into the inlet air distributor 104.
As illustrated in
In some embodiments, a second end of the outlet air distributor 106 may be configured to be operatively coupled to an existing HVAC system. In one aspect, the outlet air distributor is configured to be operatively coupled to a supply air duct of the HVAC system. In another aspect, the outlet air distributor is configured to operatively be coupled to a return air duct of the HVAC system. In some other embodiments, the second end of the outlet air distributor 106 may be configured to exhaust the filtered air directly into an enclosed area (e.g., room, hallway, corridor). In this regard, the second end of the outlet air distributor 106 may be configured to deliver filtered air into the lower strata of the enclosed area (e.g., proximate to the floor). In such a stand-alone configuration, the air purifying device 100 delivers filtered air from the enclosed area independently of the common air mass in circulation from the existing HVAC system via the outlet air distributor 106 by creating a positive pressure channel (as described in further detail below). In one aspect, the second end of the outlet air distributor 106 may be operatively coupled to a perforated cover, such as a grille, register, vent, and/or the like to exhaust the filtered air directly into the ambient air in the enclosed area.
In some embodiments, the inlet air distributor 104 and the outlet air distributor 106 may be operatively coupled to each other, as illustrated in
As illustrated in
In some embodiments, the access terminal 112 is configured to be in network communication with at least the user device and/or the central server. By way of this network communication, the user device and/or the central server may be used, in remote operation, to control the actuation of, operational functionality of, display operational status of, and/or display alerts related to the one or more units and its associated components (described in further detail herein).
As illustrated in
Air filters, such as the high efficiency particulate filter 202A, that are able to filter airborne particulate matters up to 0.3 micron in size tend to create resistance to air flow by design, causing a high differential pressure drop across the filter. In addition, over time, the air filters may collect particulate matter on the surface thereon, further restricting the flow of air thereacross. The airflow sensor 202B may be configured to sense the change in pressure (total pressure and static pressure) that is produced through the movement of air (or lack thereof). To compensate for any change in pressure that occurs due to the use of the high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter 202A, and to maintain a preset flow rate of air within the primary filtration unit 202, the airflow regulation device 202C is employed. In one embodiment, the airflow regulation device 202C may be configured to have sufficient capacity to maintain the flow rate of air at maximum differential pressure under which the air purifying device 100 could operate. To this end, the airflow regulation device 202C may be configured to be automatically actuated based on the preset flow rate of air and the flow rate of air measured by the airflow sensor 202B. In one embodiment, if the flow rate of air measured by the airflow sensor 202B is less than the preset flow rate of air, the airflow regulation device 202C may be automatically actuated causing negative air pressure, and forcing a larger volume of air to flow into the primary filtration unit 202 via the inlet aperture 108. This may be due to the natural design of the high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter 202A that creates air resistance, due to aggregate particulate matter collected and formed on the surface of the high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter 202A over time, and/or the like. When the flow rate of air measured by the airflow sensor 202B is equal to or greater than the preset flow rate of air indicating a steady air flow, the airflow regulation device 202C may be automatically turned off. In another embodiment, the airflow regulation device 202C may be configured to operate continuously, creating a continuous negative air pressure channel within the inlet air distributor 104, that results in extraction of air from the enclosed area, through the inlet air distributor 104, and into the primary filtration unit 202 via the inlet aperture 108. In instances where the flow rate of air measured by the airflow sensor 202B drops below a preset flow rate of air, the speed of the airflow regulation device 202C may be configured to automatically increase to allow for a larger volume of air to be drawn in through the inlet aperture 108 until the measured flow rate of air meets the preset flow rate. In some embodiments, the flow rate of air in the primary filtration unit 202 may be preset and monitored using the access terminal 112 (described in further detail herein).
The air displaced by the airflow regulation device 202C is then exposed to the plurality of ultraviolet light sources 202D and passed therethrough. The plurality of ultraviolet light sources 202D is configured to generate short wave ultraviolet radiation (UV-C) to treat the air filtered by the high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter 202A and displaced by the airflow regulation device 202C. By exposing the air to UV-C radiation, the plurality of ultraviolet light sources 202D are designed to change the DNA and RNA of bacteria and viruses (such as the sars-COV-2), destroying their ability to reproduce.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
Air filters, such as the ultra-low particle air (ULPA) filter 204A, that are able to filter out airborne particulate matters up to 0.12 micron in size have a filter media that are dense, reducing their capacity to move air through them. As a result, air circulation tends to be lower in enclosed areas where air is treated using ULPA filter-based air treatment devices as the air exhausting from such air treatment devices have a low flow rate. To address this issue, the outlet airflow sensor 206C may be configured to continuously measure the flow rate of air received from the airflow regulation device 206B, and similar to the primary filtration unit 202, automatically actuate the airflow regulation device 206B based on a preset flow rate of air. In one embodiment, when the flow rate of air measured by the outlet airflow sensor 206C is less than the preset flow rate of air, the airflow regulation device 206B may be automatically actuated to move a larger volume of air from the plurality of light sources 206A towards the outlet aperture 110 by creating a positive pressure differential across the airflow regulation device 206B. When the flow rate of air measured by the airflow sensor 206C is equal to the preset flow rate of air, the airflow regulation device 206B may be automatically turned off. This is done to ensure that the enclosed area is provided with a sufficient volume of filtered air. In another embodiment, the airflow regulation device 202C may be configured to operate continuously, creating a continuous positive air pressure channel within the inlet air distributor 104, that results in extraction of air from the enclosed area, through the inlet air distributor 104, and into the primary filtration unit 202 via the inlet aperture 108. In instances where the flow rate of air measured by the airflow sensor 202B drops below a preset flow rate of air, the speed of the airflow regulation device 202C may be configured to automatically increase to allow for a larger volume of air to be drawn in through the inlet aperture 108 until the measured flow rate of air meets the preset flow rate. In some embodiments, the flow rate of air in the secondary filtration unit 206 may be preset and monitored using the access terminal 112 (described in further detail herein).
In one embodiment, the secondary filtration unit 206 may include a high efficiency gas absorption (HEGA) filter. The high efficiency gas absorption (HEGA) filter may be positioned proximate to the outlet aperture 110 and configured to absorb polluting odors, gases, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air received from the airflow regulation device 206B. In one embodiment, the secondary filtration unit 206 may include a filter aperture formed therein and configured to have any suitable geometry to receive and house the high efficiency gas absorption (HEGA) filter. The high efficiency gas absorption (HEGA) may be received into the filter aperture in any suitable orientation, such as along vertical plane, along a horizontal plane, or at any angle relative to the vertical or horizontal plane.
As described herein, the air entering the air purifying device 100 for treatment is filtered and/or radiated to remove airborne particulates and pathogens at each of the primary filtration unit 202, the particulate filtration unit 204, and the secondary filtration unit 206. First, the air is filtered and treated by primary filtration unit 202. Then, the air, having gone through a first stage of treatment (at the primary filtration unit 202), is then pushed through the airflow pathway into the particulate filtration unit 204 where it is filtered further by the ultra-low particle air (ULPA) filter 204A. Then, the air, having gone through the first stage of treatment (at the primary filtration unit 202) and a second stage of treatment (at the particulate filtration unit 204), is then pushed through the airflow pathway into the secondary filtration unit 206 where it undergoes a last stage of treatment, before being delivered through the outlet aperture 110 to the outlet air distributor 106.
As illustrated in
The actuation of the humidifier unit 404 may be initiated based on the measured moisture content in the filtered air before being exhaust through the outlet aperture 110. Accordingly, the second filtration unit 206 may include a humidity and temperature sensor (not shown) to measure the moisture content in the filtered air before being dispersed through the outlet aperture 110. Should the moisture content drop below a preset moisture level, in one embodiment, the humidifier unit 400 is automatically actuated and the filtered air, before being dispersed through the outlet aperture 110, is treated by the humidifier unit 400 to increase the concentration of water vapor therein.
In one embodiment, to increase the concentration of water vapor in the air, the air received from the plurality of light sources 206A is passed through the water soaked wick cartridge 404 set in the water basin 408. To achieve this, in one aspect, when the humidifier unit 400 is actuated, the conduit between the secondary filtration unit 206 and the humidifier unit 400 may be configured to automatically open, to facilitate and direct the flow of filtered air from the secondary filtration unit 206 into the humidifier unit 400 and through the wick cartridge 404 positioned therein. In another aspect, to increase the concentration of water vapor in the air, the wick cartridge 404 having absorbed water from the water basin 408 may be adapted to move into the path of the filtered air in the secondary filtration unit 206, via the access openings, without requiring the filtered air to be redirected.
When the filtered air is passed through the wick cartridge 404, the wick cartridge 404 infuses moisture into the air. This process gradually desiccates the wick cartridge 404 causing the wick cartridge 404 to then absorb more filtered water from the water basin 408. To provide for this constant absorption, the float valve 406 is configured to measure the water level in the water basin 408. Each time the wick cartridge 404 absorbs more water from the water basin 408, the water level in the water basin 408 drops. This drop is measured by the float valve 406 which automatically actuates the water refilling process to refill the water basin 408 with filtered water received from the plurality of water filters 402. This process is repeated until the moisture content in the air meets the present moisture level. When this happens, the humidifier unit 400 is automatically turned off, the conduit and/or the access openings automatically revert(s) to its closed configuration, and the filtered air is exhausted through the outlet aperture 110 without being passed through the humidifier unit 400.
Once mounted, the air distributors 104 and 106 may be operatively coupled to dependent ducting to direct the flow of air to and from the air purifying device 100. In some embodiments, the air purifying device 100 may be adapted to operate in a stand-alone configuration in an environment with multiple enclosed areas where an existing HVAC system is employed to circulate common air mass. In such configurations, the inlet air distributor 104 may be operatively coupled to dependent ducting that may extend into each enclosed area. The dependent ducting may be operatively coupled to a perforated cover, such as a grille, register, vent, and/or the like adapted to draw air into the air purifying device 100, from the enclosed area, by creating a negative pressure differential. The outlet air distributor 106 may also be operatively coupled to dependent ducting that may extend into each enclosed area. Similarly, the dependent ducting may be operatively coupled to a perforated cover, such as a grille, register, vent, and/or the like adapted to direct filtered air, from the air purifying device 100, into the enclosed areas by creating a positive pressure differential. In one embodiment, the filtered air that is exhausted by the air purifying device 100 and distributed by the outlet air distributor 106 via dependent ducting into the enclosed areas may be drawn in by the existing HVAC system for heating and cooling purposes. The existing HVAC system uses the drawn in filtered air for processing and distributes the filtered and processed air into the enclosed areas via HVAC ducting. By continuously operating the air purifying device 100 with existing HVAC systems in this manner, the filtered air exhausted by the air purifying device 100 may gradually replace the common air mass circulated by the HVAC system, resulting in a series of “clean” enclosed areas.
In this regard, the dependent ducting coupled to the air distributors 104 and 106 may be configured for installation in an adjoining configuration extending adjacent to each other, as shown in
In one embodiment, each surface (e.g., interior surface) of the air purifying device 100, including the surfaces of the primary filtration unit 202, the particulate filtration unit 204, the secondary filtration unit 206, the humidifier unit 400, the inlet air distributors 104 and 106, and any dependent ducting may be deposited with antibacterial coating (e.g., passive bacteriostatic coating) to hinder bacterial attachment on surfaces and/or to kill bacteria upon contact with the surfaces.
It is to be understood that the air filters described herein, specifically the high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter and the ultra-low particle air (ULPA) filters are exemplary, and those of skill in the art will recognize that any air filters that may be used within the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed.
As used herein, a “processing device,” such as the processing devices 624, 644, and 664 (described with respect to
As described herein, a “user” may be an individual associated with the air purifying device. As such, in some embodiments, the user may be an operator of a user application (such as the air purifying device application 656) that is configured to control the operation of the air purifying device 100 and/or an operator of the access terminal 112 positioned on the air purifying device 100 that controls the operation of the air purifying device 100.
As used herein, “authentication credentials” may be any information that can be used to identify of a user allowing for authentication of a user requesting access to the air purifying device 100. For example, a system may prompt a user to enter authentication information such as a username, a password, a personal identification number (PIN), a passcode, biometric information (e.g., iris recognition, retina scans, fingerprints, finger veins, palm veins, palm prints, digital bone anatomy/structure and positioning (distal phalanges, intermediate phalanges, proximal phalanges, and the like), an answer to a security question, a unique intrinsic user activity, such as making a predefined motion with a user device. This authentication information may be used to authenticate the identity of the user (e.g., determine that the authentication information is associated with the account) and determine that the user has authority to operate the air purifying device.
As used herein, a “user interface,” such as the user interfaces 626, 646, and 666 (described with respect to
As used herein, a “memory device,” such as memory devices 628, 648, and 668 (described with respect to
As used herein, a “communication interface,” such as communication interfaces 622, 642, and 662 (described with respect to
The systems and devices communicate with one another over the network 602 via one or more communication channels and perform one or more of the various steps and/or methods according to embodiments of the disclosure discussed herein. The network 602 and the one or more communication channels may include a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), and/or a global area network (GAN). The network 602 may provide for wireline, wireless, or a combination of wireline and wireless communication between devices in the network. In one embodiment, the network 602 includes the Internet. In some embodiments, the network 602 includes wireless communication, such as near field communication. The one or more communication channels allow the various systems of the environment to transmit and receive data, control signals, and commands to and from one another.
Referring now to
As illustrated in
Referring now to
Referring now to
The user application 634, the air purifying device application 656, and the central server application 676 are configured for instructing the processing devices on their respective systems to perform various steps of the methods discussed herein, and/or other steps and/or similar steps. In various embodiments, one or more of the various applications discussed are included in the computer readable instructions stored in a memory device of one or more systems or devices other than their respective systems and/or devices. For example, in some embodiments, the air purifying device application 656 may be stored and configured for being accessed by a processing device of the central server system 660 connected to the network 602. In various embodiments, the user application 634, the air purifying device application 656, and the central server application 676 are stored and executed by different systems/devices. In some embodiments, the discussed applications may be similar and may be configured to communicate with one another. In some embodiments, the various applications may be considered to be working together as a singular application despite being stored and executed on different systems.
In various embodiments, one of the systems discussed above, such as the central server system 660 or the access terminal 112, is more than one system and the various components of the system are not collocated, and in various embodiments, there are multiple components performing the functions indicated herein as a single device. For example, in one embodiment, multiple processing devices perform the functions of the processing device 664 of the central server system 660 described herein. In some embodiments, the one or more systems and/or applications described herein may communicate with one another bi-directionally, wherein commands, signals, messages, or the like may be transmitted and received between two or more of the systems and/or applications.
In various embodiments, the user device 620, the access terminal 112, and/or the central server system 660 may perform all or part of one or more method or process steps discussed herein and/or other method steps in association with the method steps discussed herein. Furthermore, some or all the systems/devices discussed herein, in association with other systems or without association with other systems, in association with steps being performed manually or without steps being performed manually, may perform one or more of the steps of one or more of the method discussed herein, or other methods, processes or steps discussed herein or not discussed herein.
As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art in view of this disclosure, the present invention may include and/or be embodied as an apparatus (including, for example, a system, machine, device, computer program product, and/or the like), as a method (including, for example, a business method, computer-implemented process, and/or the like), or as any combination of the foregoing. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may take the form of an entirely business method embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, stored procedures in a database, or the like), an entirely hardware embodiment, or an embodiment combining business method, software, and hardware aspects that may generally be referred to herein as a “system.” Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention may take the form of a computer program product that includes a computer-readable storage medium having one or more computer-executable program code portions stored therein. As used herein, a processor, which may include one or more processors, may be “configured to” perform a certain function in a variety of ways, including, for example, by having one or more general-purpose circuits perform the function by executing one or more computer-executable program code portions embodied in a computer-readable medium, and/or by having one or more application-specific circuits perform the function.
It will be understood that any suitable computer-readable medium may be utilized. The computer-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as a tangible electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, and/or semiconductor system, device, and/or other apparatus. For example, in some embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable medium includes a tangible medium such as 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 compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), and/or some other tangible optical and/or magnetic storage device. In other embodiments of the present invention, however, the computer-readable medium may be transitory, such as, for example, a propagation signal including computer-executable program code portions embodied therein.
One or more computer-executable program code portions for carrying out operations of the present invention may include object-oriented, scripted, and/or unscripted programming languages, such as, for example, Java, Perl, Smalltalk, C++, SAS, SQL, Python, Objective C, JavaScript, and/or the like. In some embodiments, the one or more computer-executable program code portions for carrying out operations of embodiments of the present invention are written in conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming languages and/or similar programming languages. The computer program code may alternatively or additionally be written in one or more multi-paradigm programming languages, such as, for example, F #.
Some embodiments of the present invention are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of apparatus and/or methods. It will be understood that each block included in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and/or combinations of blocks included in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, may be implemented by one or more computer-executable program code portions. These one or more computer-executable program code portions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, and/or some other programmable data processing apparatus in order to produce a particular machine, such that the one or more computer-executable program code portions, which execute via the processor of the computer and/or other programmable data processing apparatus, create mechanisms for implementing the steps and/or functions represented by the flowchart(s) and/or block diagram block(s).
The one or more computer-executable program code portions may be stored in a transitory and/or non-transitory computer-readable medium (e.g. a memory) that can direct, instruct, and/or cause a computer and/or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the computer-executable program code portions stored in the computer-readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction mechanisms which implement the steps and/or functions specified in the flowchart(s) and/or block diagram block(s).
The one or more computer-executable program code portions may also be loaded onto a computer and/or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer and/or other programmable apparatus. In some embodiments, this produces a computer-implemented process such that the one or more computer-executable program code portions which execute on the computer and/or other programmable apparatus provide operational steps to implement the steps specified in the flowchart(s) and/or the functions specified in the block diagram block(s). Alternatively, computer-implemented steps may be combined with, and/or replaced with, operator- and/or human-implemented steps in order to carry out an embodiment of the present invention.
Although many embodiments of the present invention have just been described above, the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Also, it will be understood that, where possible, any of the advantages, features, functions, devices, and/or operational aspects of any of the embodiments of the present invention described and/or contemplated herein may be included in any of the other embodiments of the present invention described and/or contemplated herein, and/or vice versa. In addition, where possible, any terms expressed in the singular form herein are meant to also include the plural form and/or vice versa, unless explicitly stated otherwise. Accordingly, the terms “a” and/or “an” shall mean “one or more,” even though the phrase “one or more” is also used herein. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.
While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that this invention not be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other changes, combinations, omissions, modifications and substitutions, in addition to those set forth in the above paragraphs, are possible. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations, modifications, and combinations of the just described embodiments can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.
