Patent Application
20210183217
The disclosure relates generally to the field of notification systems, and more particularly to a system and a method for an emergency notification.
One of the issues with notification systems relates to notifying users or occupants of a building to use standard notification systems to indicate an emergency and occupants exiting through a standard predetermined path in case of an emergency.
Existing systems may indicate the presence of an emergency situation with synchronized strobe lights and/or sounds/horns. Yet, these alerts merely provide an occupant with notice of the emergency situation. Thus, improvements in notification systems are desired.
In view of the forgoing, a system and method are disclosed for communicating an emergency notification. The described system and method may, in some cases, indicate the location of the emergency exit and/or the path to the exit. Such as system may be helpful to occupants during emergency situations, helping the occupants to quickly locate exits before walking towards them. Additionally, the present solutions may be helpful in the presence of smoke and/or other environmental factors, which otherwise may make it difficult for an occupant to locate the emergency exit in an emergency situation. Also, the present solutions may provide assistance to occupants with visual or hearing impairment, who otherwise may have difficulty locating the emergency exit.
In an aspect, the system and method may allow a processor to receive, an alarm notification from a detection device, wherein the alarm notification corresponds to an alarm condition sensed by the detection device within a space. The system and method may detect an alarm condition location of the alarm condition based on a detection device location of the detection device. The system and method may determine an exit location of an exit to avoid the alarm condition that triggered the alarm notification. The system and method may determine an egress path within the space to avoid the alarm condition based on the exit location and the alarm condition location. The system and method may transmit a plurality of commands to a plurality of notification devices within the space to trigger output of an egress notification in a coordinated pattern to identify the egress path, wherein the plurality of commands trigger audible outputs by the plurality of notification devices.
In an additional or alternative aspect, the system and method may generate, by the plurality of notification devices, the audible outputs in the coordinated pattern in response to receiving the plurality of commands.
In an additional or alternative aspect, the system and method may have the alarm condition comprising a first alarm condition, and the egress path comprising a first set of egress paths based on a first alarm condition location of the first alarm condition. The system and method may receive a second alarm notification from a second detection device, wherein the second alarm notification corresponds to a second alarm condition sensed by the second detection device within the space. The system and method may detect a second alarm condition location of the second alarm condition based on a second detection device location of the second detection device, wherein the second alarm condition location is different from the first alarm condition location. The system and method may determine a second set of egress paths within the space to avoid both the first alarm condition and the second alarm condition location, wherein the second set of egress paths is different from the first set of egress paths. The system and method may transmit a plurality of second commands to a second plurality of notification devices within the space to trigger output of a second egress notification in a second coordinated pattern to identify the second set of egress paths, wherein the plurality of second commands trigger second audible outputs by the second plurality of notification devices.
In an additional or alternative aspect, the system and method may have the alarm condition comprising a first alarm condition, and the egress path comprising a first set of egress paths based on a first alarm condition location of the first alarm condition. The system and method may receive a second alarm notification from a second detection device, wherein the second alarm notification corresponds to a second alarm condition sensed by the second detection device within the space. The system and method may detect a second alarm condition location of the second alarm condition based on a second detection device location of the second detection device, wherein the second alarm condition location is different from the first alarm condition location. The system and method may determine unavailability of a second set of egress paths within the space to avoid both the first alarm condition and the second alarm condition location, wherein the second set of egress paths is different from the first set of egress paths. The system and method may transmit a plurality of second commands to the plurality of notification devices to output a second egress notification, wherein the second egress notification comprises a non-directional notification.
In an additional or alternative aspect, the system and method may detect the alarm condition location by determining the detection device location of the detection device, and determining the alarm condition location of the source of the alarm notification based on the detection device location and one or more categorized locations in a vicinity of the detection device.
In an additional or alternative aspect, the system and method may determine the exit location by determining candidate exit locations based on the alarm condition location, determining a nature of the alarm condition that triggered the alarm notification based on input from one or more detection devices in a vicinity of the alarm condition, determining that a first subset of candidate exit locations are ineffective locations based on the first subset of candidate exit locations and the nature of the alarm condition, determining that a second subset of candidate exit locations are effective locations based on the second subset of candidate exit locations and the nature of the alarm condition, and identifying at least one of the second subset of candidate exit locations as the exit location.
In an additional or alternative aspect, the system and method may determine the nature of the alarm condition that triggered the alarm notification by one or any combination of, determining that a heat value recorded by a heat sensor is above a threshold heat value, determining that a pressure value recorded by a pressure sensor is above a threshold pressure value, determining that a light intensity recorded by a light sensor is above a threshold light intensity, determining that a noise value recorded by a microphone is above a threshold noise value, determining that a smoke density recorded by a smoke sensor is above a threshold smoke density value.
In an additional or alternative aspect, the system and method may determine the egress path by determining a set of candidate egress paths between the alarm condition location and each of the candidate exit locations, determining a first subset of candidate egress paths from the set of candidate egress paths as being ineffective egress paths, wherein the ineffective egress paths include the alarm condition location or include an area in the vicinity of the alarm condition location, determining a second subset of candidate egress paths from the set of candidate egress paths as being effective egress paths, and identifying at least one of the second subset of candidate egress paths as the egress path.
In an additional or alternative aspect, the system and method may transmit the plurality of commands to the plurality of notification devices by transmitting a set of visual output commands to a set of visual notification devices to trigger a coordinated visual output that indicates the egress path, and transmitting a set of audible output commands to a set of audible notification devices to trigger the audible outputs.
In an additional or alternative aspect, the system and method may transmit the set of visual commands to the set of visual notification devices by transmitting to a set of building lighting devices different from the plurality of notification devices.
In an additional or alternative aspect, the system and method may transmit the plurality of commands to trigger output of the egress notification in the coordinated pattern with the coordinated pattern as a pattern that indicates directional information to identify the egress path.
In an additional or alternative aspect, the system and method may transmit the plurality of commands to trigger output of the egress notification in the coordinated pattern with the coordinated pattern as a pattern to simulate the Doppler effect to indicate directional information.
By way of example, specific embodiments of the disclosed system (computer device) and the method will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
As discussed above, improvements are desired in existing emergency notification systems. To this end, a system (computer device) and a method for emergency notifications in accordance with the present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. In some examples, the system and method may be used to provide directional emergency notifications to occupants with visual or hearing impairment who may have difficulty locating the proper exit. The emergency notification system of the present disclosure can overcome such issues by using audio/visual notification devices, which are coupled to a computer device.
In the event of an emergency, depending on the type of the emergency, a nearest exit to an occupant may not be the safest exit to escape for the emergency. For example, if there is a fire or explosion near an exit close to an office area, and due to smoke, the fire or explosion and the damage caused by the fire/explosion may not be visible to the occupants. In such a situation, the occupants may rush towards the exit close to the office area (which is also close to the fire/explosion). Such an action may be severely hazardous and life-threatening to the occupants.
The emergency notification system of the present disclosure takes into consideration that a nearest exit for occupants to escape may not be the safest exit. The emergency notification system determines an exit and indicates a path to the exit based on the available exits, the type of emergency event, the available paths to the exits, etc.
The emergency notification system of the present disclosure can also guide individuals towards the exit by using one or more audio/visual notifications to highlight the path to the exit, or the egress path. The emergency notification system may avoid the need for occupants to locate the exit, and a pattern indicated by one or more notification devices may guide the occupants through the egress path to the exit. The pattern indicated by the notification devices could be effective even with highly dense smoke or with an occupant suffering from visual or hearing impairment.
The system and method for communicating an emergency notification may be implemented for virtually any type of sound based notification systems (for example sirens, audio tones, automated (pre-recorded) announcements, manual (voice) announcements, etc.) and/or visual notification systems (strobes, Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs), etc.) The system and method may be utilized for different kinds of buildings (e.g., auditoriums, hospitals, office spaces, etc.). The system and method may also be used for one or more open areas or in combination of open spaces and closed buildings.
For the purpose of simplicity, the detection devices in
In one example, as illustrated in
Upon determining the alarm condition location, the egress path unit 136 may determine an exit location to avoid the alarm condition. For example, the egress path unit 136 may determine that candidate exit locations from the building 150 are the exits 104, 106 and 108. The egress path unit 136 may further determine the nature of the alarm condition. For example, based on determining that the detection device sending the alarm notification was a heat sensor, the egress path unit 136 may determine that the alarm condition is a fire. Similarly, based on determining that the detection device sending the alarm notification was a vibration meter, the egress path unit 136 may determine that the alarm condition was a collapse of building equipment. The egress path unit 136 may then determine the exit 104 as a first set of candidate exit locations which are ineffective locations as they are in the vicinity of the alarm condition location. The egress path unit 136 may also determine the exits 108 and 106 as a second set of candidate exit locations which are effective locations as they are sufficiently distant from the alarm condition location. The egress path unit 136 may then determine the exits 106 and 108 as the exit locations.
Further, the egress path unit 136 may determine a set of candidate egress paths 154, 156, 158 and 160 between the alarm condition location and each of the candidate exit locations. For example, the egress path unit 136 may determine the set of candidate egress paths 154, 156, 158 and 160 as the shortest distance egress paths between the alarm condition location and each of the candidate exit locations (i.e., the exits 104, 106 and 108). The egress path unit 136 may then determine a first subset of candidate egress paths from the set of candidate egress paths 154, 156, 158 and 160 as being ineffective egress paths. For example, the first subset of candidate egress paths may include the egress path 160 between the alarm condition location and the exit 104, since occupants in the vicinity of the alarm condition location would not be able to exit through the exit 104 without avoiding the alarm condition 142. The egress path unit 136 may determine a second subset of candidate egress paths from the set of candidate egress paths 154, 156, 158 and 160 as being effective egress paths. For example, the second subset of candidate egress paths may include the egress paths 154 and 156 between the alarm condition location and the exit 108, and the egress path 160 between the alarm condition location and the exit 106, since occupants in the vicinity of the alarm condition location can safely exit through the exits 106 and 108 while avoiding the alarm condition 142. The egress path unit 136 may then identify at least one of the second subset of candidate egress paths as the egress path (i.e., the egress paths 154, 156 and 160 as described in the example of
The egress path unit 136 may further determine the egress paths 154, 156 and 160 based on the distance of egress paths between the alarm condition location and the exits 106 and 108 in the building as well as the location of the alarm condition. For example, the egress path 158 to the exit 106 which includes the notification device 123 may be smaller than an egress path to the exit 106 which includes the notification devices 119 and 125 (not illustrated in
The egress path unit 136 may transmit the information about the respective egress paths 154, 156 and 158 to the processor 138. The processor 138 may send instructions to the notification device control unit 140 to trigger output of egress notifications 151, 153, 155, 157, 159, 161, 163, 165, 167 and 169 (as illustrated in
In one example, as illustrated in
Subsequently, the alarm condition 143 may occur in an area between the notification device 115 and the exit 108. The egress path unit 136 may determine a second alarm condition location at which the alarm condition 143 has occurred using a similar technique as used for determining the first alarm condition location. Upon determining the second alarm condition location, the egress path unit 136 may determine an exit location to avoid both the first and the second alarm conditions. For example, the egress path unit 136 may determine that only the exit 106 is an exit location that can be used by occupants of the building 150 to avoid both the first and the second alarm conditions. The egress path unit 136 may further determine a second set of egress paths 158, 199 and 170 between the first and second alarm condition locations and the exit 106 that include each of the notification devices 111, 113, 115, 117, 119, 121, 123 and 125, using a similar technique as used for determining the first set of egress paths as discussed above and in
The egress path unit 136 may then transmit the information about the second set of egress paths to the processor 138. The processor 138 may send instructions to the notification device control unit 140 to trigger output of egress notifications 181, 183, 185, 161, 163, 165, 167 and 169 (as illustrated in
For example, the notification device control unit 140 may trigger output of the egress notification 187 from the notification device 117, the egress notification 165 from the notification device 119 and the egress notification 167 from the notification device 125 in a coordinated pattern (as described above with reference to
In another example, alarm conditions may occur in vicinity of each of the exits 104, 106 and 108 (not labelled and described in
At block 302, the method 300 includes receiving an alarm notification from a detection device. For example, the egress path unit 136 receives alarm notifications from one or more detection devices in the building 150. In one implementation, the egress path unit 136 may receive the alarm notifications as one or a combination of a heat value recorded by a heat sensor being above a threshold heat value, a pressure value recorded by a pressure sensor being above a threshold pressure value, a light intensity recorded by a light sensor being above a threshold light intensity, a noise value recorded by a microphone being above a threshold noise value, a pressure value recorded by a pressure sensor being above a threshold pressure value, a smoke density recorded by a smoke sensor being above a threshold smoke density value etc.
At block 304, the method 300 includes detecting an alarm condition location of the alarm condition based on a detection device location of the detection device. In one implementation, the egress path unit 136 may determine the alarm condition location based on the location of the detection device(s) sending the alarm notification. For example, egress path unit 136 may read the location of the detection device(s) from a table (stored in a memory of the computer device 134) specifying location of each of the detection devices in the building 150. In another implementation, the detection device(s) sending the alarm notification may send their respective location(s) to the egress path unit, for e.g., coordinates of the respective detection device(s) sending the alarm notification may be included in the alarm notification.
At block 306, the method 300 includes determining an exit location of an exit to avoid the alarm condition that triggered the alarm notification. In one implementation, the egress path unit 136 may determine the exit location of an exit to avoid the alarm condition that triggered the alarm notification. For example, the egress path unit 136 may determine the exit locations of the exits 106 and 108 (using the technique as described above with reference to
In an alternate example, the method 300 may include performing the operations of blocks 303-311 after performing the operation at block 304 and before performing the operation at block 306, as described below.
At block, 303, the method 300 includes determining candidate exit locations exit locations based on the alarm condition location. In one implementation, the egress path unit 136 may determine the exits 104, 106 and 108 as the candidate exit locations based on the alarm condition location of the alarm condition 142 in the building 150. For example, the egress path unit 136 may determine that occupants in the area including exits 104, 106 and 108 may be at risk due to hazards posed by the alarm condition 142.
At block 305, the method 300 includes determining nature of the alarm condition that triggered the alarm notification based on input from one or more detection devices in vicinity of the alarm condition. In one implementation, the egress path unit 136 may determine the nature of the alarm condition 142 that triggered the alarm notification. For example, the egress path unit 136 may determine that the nature of the alarm condition 142 is a fire based on determining that a heat value recorded by heat sensors in the vicinity of the alarm condition location is above a threshold heat value. Similarly, the egress path unit 136 may determine that the nature of the alarm condition 142 is a collapse of building equipment based on determining that a pressure value recorded by pressure sensors in the vicinity of the alarm condition location is above a threshold pressure value, etc.
At block 307, the method 300 includes determining a first subset of candidate exit locations are ineffective locations based on the first subset of candidate exit locations and the nature of the alarm condition. In one implementation, the egress path unit 136 may determine that the first subset of candidate exit locations which includes the exit 104 are ineffective locations based on the first subset of candidate exit locations, and the nature of the alarm condition 142 as determined above at block 305. For example, the egress path unit 136 may determine the nature of the alarm condition 142 as a fire, and the first subset of candidate exit locations as ineffective locations, since the exit 104 is in vicinity of the fire and the flames of the fire pose hazards to the occupants exiting through the exit 104.
At block 309, the method 300 includes determining a second subset of candidate exit locations are effective locations based on the second subset of candidate exit locations and the nature of the alarm condition. In one implementation, the egress path unit 136 may determine that the second subset of candidate exit locations which includes the exits 106 and 108 are effective locations based on the second subset of candidate exit locations 106 and 108, and the nature of the alarm condition 142 as determined above at block 305. For example, the egress path unit 136 may determine the nature of the alarm condition 142 as a fire, and the second subset of candidate exit locations as effective locations, since the exits 106 and 108 are at a safe distance from the fire, and the flames of the fire do not pose hazards to the occupants exiting through the exits 106 and 108.
At block 311, the method 300 includes identifying at least one of the second subset of candidate exit locations as the exit location. In one implementation, the egress path unit 136 may identify at least one of the exits 106 and 108 as the exit location. For example, the egress path unit 136 may determine the exit 106, or the exit 108, or both as the exit locations based on the size, width, height, distance from the alarm condition location, etc., of the exits 106 and 108.
At block 308, the method 300 includes determining an egress path within the space to avoid the alarm condition based on the exit location and the alarm condition location. In one implementation, the egress path unit 136, may determine one or more egress paths to avoid the alarm condition 142 based on the exit location (as determined above at block 311 or 306), and the alarm condition location. For example, the egress path unit 136 may determine the nature of the alarm condition as a fire, and the egress path unit 136 may determine egress paths 154, 156 and 158 as described above with reference to
At block 310, the method 300 includes transmitting a plurality of commands to a plurality of notification devices within the space to trigger output of an egress notification in a coordinated pattern to identify the egress path and to trigger audible outputs by the plurality of notification devices. In one implementation, the processor 138 may send instructions to the notification device control unit 140 to transmit a plurality of commands to each of the notification devices 111, 113, 115, 117, 119, 121, 123 and 125. For example, the instructions sent by the processor 138 may instructions to trigger output of the egress notifications 151, 153, 155, 157, 159, 161, 163, 165, 167 and 169 as described above with reference to
In another implementation, the notification devices 121, 111, 113, 115 and 117 may signal to the occupants to exit through the exit 108 by triggering audible outputs for egress notifications in a coordinated pattern. For example, the notification devices 121, 111, 113, 115 and 117 may output beeps in a high volume and a low volume to indicate to the occupants, the direction the occupants should move in (e.g., to move in the direction from a low volume beep to a high volume beep). Such audible outputs for egress notifications having directional information may be especially useful for visually impaired occupants, as well as all occupants in special circumstances (e.g., the alarm condition being smoky environment). As described above, the output of the notification devices 121, 111, 113, 115 and 117 may be controlled to simulate a Doppler Effect for triggering audible outputs for egress notifications in a coordinated pattern to provide directional information to the occupants to exit through the exit 108. Similar techniques may be utilized by the notification devices 119, 123 and 125.
For the purpose of simplicity, the detection devices in
The egress path unit 136 may determine the egress paths 444 and 446 based on the nearest exit to the connecting exits 438 and 444. The egress path unit 136 may determine the exit 442 as the nearest exit to the connecting exit 438, and the egress path 446 may determine the exit 440 as the nearest exit to the connecting exit 444. The egress path unit 136 may transmit the information about the respective egress paths 444 and 446 to the processor 138. The processor 138 may send instructions to the notification device control unit 140 to trigger output of egress notifications 448, 450, 452, 454, 464, 466, 468 and 470 (as illustrated in
For the purpose of simplicity, the detection devices in
The egress path unit 136 may detect the alarm condition 560 and determine the location of the alarm condition 560 based on the location of the detection devices. For example, the egress path unit 136 may determine the location of the alarm condition 560 based on receiving an alarm notification from a detection device, and the location of the respective detection device stored in a memory of the computer device 134. The egress path unit 136 may determine one or more exit locations from one of the exits 540 and 542 to avoid the alarm condition 142. The egress path unit 136 may also determine egress paths 544 and 580 (as illustrated by dashed lines in
In one example, as illustrated in
Upon determining the alarm condition location, the egress path unit 136 may determine an exit location to avoid the alarm condition. For example, the egress path unit 136 may determine that candidate exit locations from the building 150 are the exits 540 and 542. The egress path unit 136 may further determine the nature of the alarm condition in a similar manner as described above with reference to
Further, the egress path unit 136 may determine a set of candidate egress paths 544, 546 and 580 between the alarm condition location and each of the candidate exit locations. For example, the egress path unit 136 may determine candidate egress paths as the egress paths between the alarm condition location and each of the candidate exit locations (i.e., the exits 540 and 542). The egress path unit 136 may then determine a first subset of candidate egress paths from the set of candidate egress paths 544, 546 and 580 as being ineffective egress paths. For example, the first subset of candidate egress paths may include the egress path 546 since occupants would not be able to exit through the exit 542 without avoiding the alarm condition 560. The egress path unit 136 may determine a second subset of candidate egress paths from the set of candidate egress paths 544, 546 and 580 as being effective egress paths. For example, the second subset of candidate egress paths may include the egress paths 544 and 580 between the alarm condition location and the exit 540, since occupants in the vicinity of the alarm condition location can safely exit through the exit 540 while avoiding the alarm condition 560. The egress path unit 136 may then identify at least one of the second subset of candidate egress paths as the egress path (i.e., the egress paths 544 and 580). The egress path unit 136 may further determine the egress paths 544 and 580 based on the distance of egress paths between the alarm condition location and the exit 540 as well as the location of the alarm condition, in a similar manner as described above with reference to
The egress path unit 136 may transmit the information about the respective egress path 544 and 580 to the processor 138. The processor 138 may send instructions to the notification device control unit 140 to trigger output of egress notifications 564, 566, 552, 548, 532, 568, 554 and 544 (as illustrated in
Referring to
Computer device 600 may include a display interface 602 that forwards graphics, text, and other data from the communication infrastructure 606 (or from a frame buffer not shown) for display on a display unit 630. Computer device 600 also includes a main memory 608, preferably random access memory (RAM), and may also include a secondary memory 610. The secondary memory 610 may include, for example, a hard disk drive 612, a flash memory 613, and/or a removable storage drive 614, representing a floppy disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, an optical disk drive, a universal serial bus (USB) flash drive, etc. The removable storage drive 614 reads from and/or writes to a removable storage unit 618 in a well-known manner. Removable storage unit 618 represents a floppy disk, magnetic tape, optical disk, USB flash drive etc., which is read by and written to removable storage drive 614. As will be appreciated, the removable storage unit 618 includes a computer usable storage medium having stored therein computer software and/or data.
The computer device 600 also includes the egress path unit 136 interfaced to the processor 604 of the computer device 600. The processor 604 may be coupled with the notification device control unit 140. The notification device control unit 140 and the egress path unit 136 have similar functions as described in
Alternative aspects of the present disclosure may include secondary memory 610 and may include other similar devices for allowing computer programs or other instructions to be loaded into computer device 600. Such devices may include, for example, a removable storage unit 622 and an interface 620. Examples of such may include a program cartridge and cartridge interface (such as that found in video game devices), a removable memory chip (such as an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), or programmable read only memory (PROM)) and associated socket, and other removable storage units 622 and interfaces 620, which allow software and data to be transferred from the removable storage unit 622 to computer device 600.
Computer device 600 may also include a communications interface 624. Communications interface 624 allows software and data to be transferred between computer device 600 and external devices. Examples of communications interface 624 may include a modem, a network interface (such as an Ethernet card), a communications port, a Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) slot and card, etc. Software and data transferred via communications interface 624 are in the form of signals 628, which may be electronic, electromagnetic, optical or other signals capable of being received by communications interface 624. These signals 628 are provided to communications interface 624 via a communications path (e.g., channel) 626. This path 626 carries signals 628 and may be implemented using wire or cable, fiber optics, a telephone line, a cellular link, a radio frequency (RF) link and/or other communications channels. In this document, the terms “computer program medium” and “computer usable medium” are used to refer generally to media such as a removable storage drive 618, a hard disk installed in hard disk drive 612, and signals 628. These computer program products provide software to the computer device 600. Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to such computer program products.
Computer programs (also referred to as computer control logic) are stored in main memory 608 and/or secondary memory 610. Computer programs may also be received via communications interface 624. Such computer programs, when executed, enable the computer device 600 to perform the features in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, as discussed herein. In particular, the computer programs, when executed, enable the processor 604 to perform the features in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, such computer programs represent controllers of the computer device 600.
In an aspect of the present disclosure where the disclosure is implemented using software, the software may be stored in a computer program product and loaded into computer device 600 using removable storage drive 614, hard drive 612, or communications interface 620. The control logic (software), when executed by the processor 604, causes the processor 604 to perform the functions described herein. In another aspect of the present disclosure, the system is implemented primarily in hardware using, for example, hardware components, such as application specific integrated circuits (ASICs). Implementation of the hardware state machine so as to perform the functions described herein will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s).
As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceeded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly recited. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features.
The various embodiments or components described above, for example, the notification device control unit, the egress path unit, the computing device, and the components or processors therein, may be implemented as part of one or more computer systems. Such a computer system may include a computer, an input device, a display unit and an interface, for example, for accessing the Internet. The computer may include a microprocessor. The microprocessor may be connected to a communication bus. The computer may also include memories. The memories may include Random Access Memory (RAM) and Read Only Memory (ROM). The computer system further may include a storage device, which may be a hard disk drive or a removable storage drive such as a floppy disk drive, optical disk drive, and the like. The storage device may also be other similar means for loading computer programs or other instructions into the computer system. As used herein, the term “software” includes any computer program stored in memory for execution by a computer, such memory including RAM memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, and non-volatile RAM (NVRAM) memory. The above memory types are exemplary only, and are thus not limiting as to the types of memory usable for storage of a computer program.
While certain embodiments of the disclosure have been described herein, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, as it is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.
