System and method of service product offer management

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

0001The present disclosure relates to a system and method of deploying television content related services.

BACKGROUND

0002For years, televisions have been a staple of consumer electronics sales. As such, a large majority of households in the United States owns at least one television. Providing content to those televisions is a lucrative business and there are numerous types of television content to choose from. For example, viewers can subscribe to digital broadband television networks and digital satellite television networks in order to receive standard digital television content or high definition television content.

0003In many cases, a set top box device is required at a customer location in order to receive television content from a content provider and decode the television content before transmitting the content to a television. Additionally, services can be ordered via the set top box device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0004<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a general block diagram that illustrates elements of an Internet protocol television (IPTV) system;

0005<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a block diagram that illustrates a service delivery platform subsystem;

0006<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a block diagram that illustrates a service product ordering subsystem, a service delivery platform subsystem, and an IPTV deployment subsystem;

0007<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a flow chart that illustrates of a method of service product offer management; and

0008<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a ladder diagram that illustrates operation of a system and a method of service product offer management; and

0009<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a diagram of a general computer system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0010The disclosure is generally directed to a system and method of managing and deploying Internet protocol television (IPTV) services. In a particular embodiment, the method includes a service product offer management and deployment system. The method further includes a service product ordering subsystem to receive and process a service product order in response to service product offer. The service product order identifies a particular communication service subscriber, a service area, a service control group, a service product attribute, a facility deployment component, and a set of permitted end user device types. The method also includes a service delivery platform subsystem coupled to the service product ordering subsystem. Further, the method includes an Internet protocol television deployment subsystem coupled to the service delivery platform. The Internet protocol television deployment subsystem includes a plurality of video content packages. One of the plurality of content packages is selected for permitted transmission and is granted access to protected content for a particular subscriber based on the service product order for the particular communication service subscriber.

0011Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, elements of an IPTV system that is generally designated <b>100</b> are shown. As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, the system <b>100</b> includes a service product ordering subsystem <b>102</b> that is coupled to a service delivery platform subsystem <b>106</b> via an integration bus <b>104</b>. In a particular embodiment, the service product ordering subsystem <b>102</b> and the service delivery platform subsystem <b>106</b> communicate using java messaging service (JMS), hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), enterprise java beans (EJB), java remote method invocation (RMI), common object request broker architecture (CORBA), or other similar mechanisms.

0012<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> indicates that a billing subsystem <b>108</b>, a Internet protocol television (IPTV) deployment subsystem <b>110</b>, a voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) subsystem <b>112</b>, and a data subsystem <b>114</b> can be coupled to the service delivery platform subsystem <b>106</b>. As indicated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, the billing subsystem <b>108</b> is also coupled to the IPTV deployment subsystem <b>110</b>.

0013As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, a representative customer home <b>120</b> is coupled to the IPTV deployment subsystem <b>110</b>. Specifically, a gateway device <b>160</b> is coupled to the IPTV deployment subsystem <b>110</b> via a communication link <b>150</b>. A first customer premises equipment (CPE) <b>162</b>, a second CPE <b>164</b>, and a third CPE <b>166</b> are coupled to the gateway device <b>160</b>.

0014In a particular embodiment, the service product ordering subsystem <b>102</b> includes an ordering management system (OMS) <b>130</b> that can include one or more product catalogs, product definitions, and a workflow. Further, the SDP subsystem <b>106</b> includes a subscription management module <b>170</b>, a service broker module <b>171</b>, a content management module <b>172</b>, and one or more adapters. Additionally, as depicted in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, the IPTV deployment subsystem <b>110</b> includes a subscriber management system <b>180</b> that includes an IPTV platform.

0015<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> also indicates that the billing subsystem <b>108</b> can include an invoicing module <b>132</b>. The billing subsystem <b>108</b> can also include a rating module <b>134</b> and a mediation module <b>138</b>.

0016In a particular embodiment, during operation the service product ordering subsystem <b>102</b> can receive and process a service product order that identifies a particular communication service subscriber, a service area, a service control group, a service product attribute, a facility deployment component, and a set of permitted end user device types. The service product attribute can identify a product offer, e.g., video; video and data; video, data and VoIP; or video, data, VoIP, and wireless service. Also, the service product attribute can include a video service attribute that identifies a level of content available, where the level of content is selected from a list that at least includes a premium level and a standard level. The level of content can also be selected from a list that includes: a standard level, a silver level, and a gold level. Further, the level can include a genre pack. In an illustrative embodiment, the gold level, but not the silver level or the standard level, can include selected premium content, such as HBO's Signature package. Also, in an illustrative embodiment, the silver level, but not the standard level, can include other premium content, such as include HBO's Family package.

0017In a particular embodiment, the facility deployment component identified by the service product order can be implemented as fiber to the premises (FTTP), fiber to the node (FTTN), or digital subscriber line (DSL) technology. Moreover, the set of permitted end user devices can include a residential gateway (RGW) device, a set top box, a digital video recorder, an integrated access device (IAD), and a session initiation protocol (SIP) telephone device.

0018Further, in another particular embodiment, the IPTV deployment subsystem <b>110</b> can include a broadcast channel map that is stored within a computer readable medium within the IPTV deployment subsystem <b>110</b>. In a particular embodiment, the standard level includes the channels in the broadcast channel map and the premium level includes the channels in the broadcast channel map and at least one additional channel.

0019In yet another particular embodiment, the SDP subsystem <b>106</b> receives the service product offer information from the service product offer ordering subsystem <b>102</b> and provides one or more data items that identify a subscriber class, a subscriber subclass, and an item category as an input to the IPTV deployment subsystem <b>110</b>. Further, the IPTV deployment subsystem <b>110</b> can map the subscriber class to a subscriber group and determine a content access grant level based on the subscriber group. In particular, one of a set of content packages can be selected based on the content access grant level and a selected content package can be communicated to a subscriber device, e.g., the gateway <b>160</b>, that has access to the IPTV deployment subsystem <b>110</b>. The IPTV deployment subsystem <b>110</b> can receive data that identifies a set of devices that are associated with a particular subscriber. The set of devices can be evaluated with respect to a particular end user device to receive a selected content package.

0020Additionally, in a particular embodiment, the IPTV deployment subsystem includes a plurality of video content packages. At least one of the plurality of video content packages can be selected for permitted transmission and can be granted access to protected content for a particular subscriber based on the service product order for the particular communication service subscriber identified.

0021Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, details concerning the service product ordering subsystem <b>130</b> and the SDP subsystem <b>106</b> are illustrated. As shown, the SDP subsystem <b>106</b> includes a first interface <b>208</b>, such as a Web Services (WS) interface. In a particular embodiment, the service product ordering subsystem <b>130</b> is coupled to the first interface <b>208</b> via an account management interface <b>204</b> and a service order interface <b>206</b>. The subscription management module <b>170</b> and the content manager <b>172</b> within the SDP subsystem <b>106</b> are also coupled to the first interface <b>208</b>. As shown, the subscription management module <b>170</b> receives provisioning data <b>212</b> from the service product ordering subsystem <b>102</b> via the first interface <b>208</b> and transmits updated coordination data <b>214</b> to the service product ordering subsystem <b>130</b> via the first interface <b>208</b>. In a particular embodiment, the content manager <b>172</b> is coupled to the first interface <b>208</b> via a WS-CM adapter <b>218</b>.

0022<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> also shows a service broker <b>210</b> that is coupled to the first interface <b>208</b> via a WS-SB adapter <b>216</b>. The service broker <b>210</b> can transmit a publish orderable product indication <b>202</b> to the service product ordering subsystem <b>102</b> via the first interface <b>208</b>. As indicated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, the service broker <b>210</b> can communicate with the content manager <b>172</b>. The content manager <b>172</b> can transmit a publish content service indication <b>260</b> to the service broker <b>210</b>. Moreover, the service broker <b>210</b> can transmit content and device provisioning data <b>262</b> to the content manager <b>172</b>.

0023As depicted in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, the service broker <b>210</b> and the content manager <b>172</b> can be coupled to the IPTV delivery platform <b>110</b> via a second interface <b>230</b>. In a particular embodiment, the second interface <b>230</b> can also be a WS interface. In a particular embodiment, the service broker <b>210</b> can transmit IPTV service account and device provisioning data <b>224</b> to the second interface <b>230</b> and, in turn, the second interface <b>230</b> can transmit IPTV service account and device provisioning data <b>224</b> to the IPTV delivery platform <b>110</b>. Further, the content manager <b>172</b> can transmit IPTV service package assignment data <b>226</b> to the second interface <b>230</b> and the second interface <b>230</b>, in turn, can transmit IPTV service package assignment data <b>234</b> to the IPTV delivery platform <b>110</b>. Moreover, the content manager <b>172</b> and the IPTV delivery platform <b>110</b> can exchange package creation and management data <b>228</b> directly.

0024<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> also shows that the subscription management module <b>170</b> is coupled to one or more lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP) databases <b>240</b> and a radius server <b>250</b>. Further, the subscription management module <b>170</b> exchanges data synchronization information <b>220</b>, <b>222</b> with the LDAP databases <b>240</b> and the radius server <b>250</b>.

0025Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, further details of the service product ordering subsystem <b>130</b>, the SDP subsystem <b>106</b>, and the IPTV delivery subsystem <b>110</b> are shown. As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, the service product ordering subsystem <b>130</b> includes subscriber data <b>302</b>, service area data <b>304</b>, product offer data <b>306</b>, product data <b>308</b>, component data <b>310</b>, and component property data <b>312</b>.

0026Further, as depicted in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, the SDP subsystem <b>106</b> includes service control group data <b>320</b>, services data <b>322</b>, service area data <b>324</b>, subscriber data <b>326</b>, subscriber class data <b>330</b>, sub class item/item catalog association data <b>332</b>, item category data <b>334</b>, association table data <b>336</b>, item data <b>338</b>, and device data <b>340</b>.

0027<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> indicates that the IPTV deployment subsystem <b>110</b> can include subscriber group data <b>370</b>, a first set of grant data <b>372</b>, content package data <b>374</b>, subscriber data <b>376</b>, a second set of grant data <b>378</b>, and device data <b>380</b>. Additionally, the IPTV deployment subsystem <b>110</b> can include a channel map <b>382</b> that includes a set of channels associated with a particular service area. The IPTV deployment subsystem <b>110</b> can also include a set of call letters <b>384</b> associated with the channel map <b>382</b>. The set of call letters <b>384</b> can include the call letters associated with a group of standard channels and the call letters associated with one or more premium channels or groups of premium channels. In an illustrative embodiment, the premium channels can include HBO signature service and HBO family service.

0028As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, the IPTV deployment subsystem <b>110</b> can also include a first set of services <b>386</b> associated with one or more customer accounts and a second set of services <b>388</b> associated with one or more customer accounts.

0029<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> depicts a method of service product offer management. Commencing at block <b>402</b>, an order management system receives a service product package that defines a new service product offering from a service delivery platform. At block <b>404</b>, the order management system receives a new order request for the service product package with respect to a subscriber having a subscriber account. Moving to block <b>406</b>, the order management system associates a subscriber identity with the service product package and communicates a data item that provides such association to the service delivery platform. At block <b>408</b>, a video device object that corresponds to the service product package is added at an IPTV deployment subsystem via the service delivery platform to activate access by the subscriber that has the subscriber account. Proceeding to block <b>410</b>, the internet protocol television deployment subsystem communicates a billing activation event to a billing system. The billing system can create or modify a bill that corresponds to the subscriber account.

0030In a particular embodiment, the service product package identifies a service area, a service control group, a service product attribute, a facility deployment component, and a set of permitted end user device types. Further, in a particular embodiment, the service product attribute identifies a product offer that is selected from the group consisting of: video only; video and data; video, data and voice over internet protocol; and video, data, voice over internet protocol and wireless. Additionally, in a particular embodiment, the service product attribute includes a video service attribute that identifies a level of available content, the level of available content selected from a premium level and a standard level. Additionally, the service product package can include a video on demand selection or a pay-per-view selection.

0031Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, a ladder diagram illustrating a particular method of authorizing content at an end user set top box device is shown superimposed over an Internet protocol television (IPTV) system that is generally designated <b>500</b>. As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, the system <b>500</b> includes a customer location <b>502</b> that is coupled to an OSS/BSS server <b>504</b>. The OSS/BSS server <b>504</b> is coupled to an SDP server <b>506</b> and an IPTV server <b>508</b>.

0032<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> indicates that the customer location <b>502</b> includes a customer <b>510</b>. Also, the OSS/BSS <b>504</b> includes a CSR actor module <b>512</b>, an order management system (OMS) <b>514</b>, and a billing subsystem <b>516</b>. The SDP server <b>506</b> includes an SDP subsystem <b>520</b> and the IPTV server <b>508</b> includes a subscriber management system (SMS) <b>522</b>. In a particular embodiment, the customer location <b>502</b> can include one of the CPE <b>162</b>, <b>164</b>, <b>166</b> depicted in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>. Further, in a particular embodiment, the OMS <b>514</b> can include one or more of the components of the OMS <b>130</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 through 3</figref>. Also, in a particular embodiment, the billing subsystem <b>516</b> can include one or more of the elements of the billing subsystem <b>108</b> illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>. Additionally, the SDP subsystem <b>520</b> can include one or more components of the SDP subsystem <b>106</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 through 3</figref>.

0033The method shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> commences at step <b>524</b> and the SDP subsystem <b>520</b> transmits a get all packages request to the SMS subsystem <b>522</b> within the IPTV server <b>508</b>. In a particular embodiment, the get all packages request includes a package name. At step <b>526</b>, the SDP subsystem <b>520</b> transmits a create package request to the SMS subsystem. The create package request can include a package name and an included package list. In a particular embodiment, the SDP subsystem <b>520</b> can create a graphical user interface (GUI) that can enable higher level package definition and publication of the defined package to the IPTV deployment subsystem.

0034Moving to step <b>530</b>, the SDP subsystem <b>520</b> transmits an indication to the OMS subsystem <b>514</b> that identifies that the new package, or product, is available. At step <b>532</b>, the CSR actor <b>512</b> creates a new order that includes a subscriber and product association and sends the new order to the OMS subsystem <b>514</b>. In a particular embodiment, the CSR actor can develop a product catalog for a single play. Further, the CSR actor <b>512</b> can create a screen and workflow to capture and initiate an order, e.g., received from the customer. An example of a product catalog can include a single play gold package, a silver package, a bronze package, and a plurality of “a la carte” packages. In a particular embodiment, each order request can include a unique customer identification and a unique order identification.

0035Continuing to step <b>534</b>, the OMS subsystem <b>514</b> can add subscriber data to the new order received from the CSR actor <b>512</b>. In a particular embodiment, the subscriber data can be added based on a customer identification and a serving area code. At step <b>536</b>, the OMS subsystem <b>514</b> can associate a new product with the customer. This association can be based on an order identification, a customer identification, one or more product offering identifications, and a product attribute value list. In an illustrative embodiment, this association can be made using extensible markup language (XML).

0036At step <b>538</b>, the SDP subsystem <b>520</b> adds an account identification, e.g., a native identification, to the order. Further, at step <b>540</b>, the SDP subsystem <b>520</b> assigns a service package to the account. Moving to step <b>542</b>, the SDP subsystem <b>520</b> adds a device to the order. The device can be added by adding a device identification and a native identification. In a particular embodiment the device is added by the SDP subsystem and sent to an IPTV platform via an application programming interface (API) call.

0037Proceeding to step <b>544</b>, the OMS subsystem <b>514</b> adds one or more video products to a billing account, e.g., a billing account. At step <b>546</b>, the SDP subsystem <b>520</b> transmits an indication to the OMS subsystem <b>514</b> that a video service device is online. At step <b>548</b>, the OMS subsystem <b>514</b> instructs the billing subsystem <b>516</b> to begin billing the customer for the service. Thereafter, at step <b>550</b>, the OMS subsystem <b>514</b> transmits an order completion notice to the CSR actor subsystem <b>512</b>. At step <b>560</b>, the CSR actor subsystem <b>512</b> transmits an order completion notification to the customer <b>510</b> and the method then ends. In a particular embodiment, the package identification that is available from an IPTV platform is established within the SDP subsystem <b>520</b>. Further, the configuration of the available packages into orderable products can be mapped by the SDP subsystem <b>520</b>.

0038Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>, an illustrative embodiment of a general computer system is shown and is designated <b>600</b>. The computer system <b>600</b> can include a set of instructions that can be executed to cause the computer system <b>600</b> to perform any one or more of the methods or computer based functions disclosed herein. The computer system <b>600</b> may operate as a standalone device or may be connected, e.g., using a network, to other computer systems or peripheral devices. In a particular embodiment, one or more of the system or subsystem components illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 through 4</figref> can include one or more of the elements described in conjunction with the computer system <b>600</b> depicted in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>.

0039In a networked deployment, the computer system may operate in the capacity of a server or as a client user computer in a server-client user network environment, or as a peer computer system in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. The computer system <b>600</b> can also be implemented as or incorporated into various devices, such as a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box (STB), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile device, a palmtop computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a communications device, a wireless telephone, a land-line telephone, a control system, a camera, a scanner, a facsimile machine, a printer, a pager, a personal trusted device, a web appliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any other machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. In a particular embodiment, the computer system <b>600</b> can be implemented using electronic devices that provide voice, video or data communication. Further, while a single computer system <b>600</b> is illustrated, the term “system” shall also be taken to include any collection of systems or sub-systems that individually or jointly execute a set, or multiple sets, of instructions to perform one or more computer functions.

0040As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>, the computer system <b>600</b> may include a processor <b>602</b>, e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or both. Moreover, the computer system <b>600</b> can include a main memory <b>604</b> and a static memory <b>606</b> that can communicate with each other via a bus <b>608</b>. As shown, the computer system <b>600</b> may further include a video display unit <b>610</b>, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a flat panel display, a solid state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT). Additionally, the computer system <b>600</b> may include an input device <b>612</b>, such as a keyboard, and a cursor control device <b>614</b>, such as a mouse. Further, the computer system <b>600</b> can include a wireless input device <b>615</b>, e.g., a remote control device. The computer system <b>600</b> can also include a disk drive unit <b>616</b>, a signal generation device <b>618</b>, such as a speaker or remote control, and a network interface device <b>620</b>.

0041In a particular embodiment, as depicted in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>, the disk drive unit <b>616</b> may include a computer-readable medium <b>622</b> in which one or more sets of instructions <b>624</b>, e.g. software, can be embedded. Further, the instructions <b>624</b> may embody one or more of the methods or logic as described herein. In a particular embodiment, the instructions <b>624</b> may reside completely, or at least partially, within the main memory <b>604</b>, the static memory <b>606</b>, and/or within the processor <b>602</b> during execution by the computer system <b>600</b>. The main memory <b>604</b> and the processor <b>602</b> also may include computer-readable media.

0042In an alternative embodiment, dedicated hardware implementations, such as application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays and other hardware devices, can be constructed to implement one or more of the methods described herein. Applications that may include the apparatus and systems of various embodiments can broadly include a variety of electronic and computer systems. One or more embodiments described herein may implement functions using two or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and data signals that can be communicated between and through the modules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Accordingly, the present system encompasses software, firmware, and hardware implementations.

0043In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, the methods described herein may be implemented by software programs executable by a computer system. Further, in an exemplary, non-limited embodiment, implementations can include distributed processing, component/object distributed processing, and parallel processing. Alternatively, virtual computer system processing can be constructed to implement one or more of the methods or functionality as described herein.

0044The present disclosure contemplates a computer-readable medium that includes instructions <b>624</b> or receives and executes instructions <b>624</b> responsive to a propagated signal, so that a device connected to a network <b>626</b> can communicate voice, video or data over the network <b>626</b>. Further, the instructions <b>624</b> may be transmitted or received over the network <b>626</b> via the network interface device <b>620</b>.

0045While the computer-readable medium is shown to be a single medium, the term “computer-readable medium” includes a single medium or multiple media, such as a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers that store one or more sets of instructions. The term “computer-readable medium” shall also include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by a processor or that cause a computer system to perform any one or more of the methods or operations disclosed herein.

0046In a particular non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, the computer-readable medium can include a solid-state memory such as a memory card or other package that houses one or more non-volatile read-only memories. Further, the computer-readable medium can be a random access memory or other volatile re-writable memory. Additionally, the computer-readable medium can include a magneto-optical or optical medium, such as a disk or tapes or other storage device to capture carrier wave signals such as a signal communicated over a transmission medium. A digital file attachment to an e-mail or other self-contained information archive or set of archives may be considered a distribution medium that is equivalent to a tangible storage medium. Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one or more of a computer-readable medium or a distribution medium and other equivalents and successor media, in which data or instructions may be stored.

0047Although the present specification describes components and functions that may be implemented in particular embodiments with reference to particular standards and protocols, the invention is not limited to such standards and protocols. For example, standards for Internet and other packet switched network transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) represent examples of the state of the art. Such standards are periodically superseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentially the same functions. Accordingly, replacement standards and protocols having the same or similar functions as those disclosed herein are considered equivalents thereof.

0048The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of the various embodiments. The illustrations are not intended to serve as a complete description of all of the devices and features of apparatus and systems that utilize the structures or methods described herein. Many other embodiments may be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the disclosure. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived from the disclosure, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Additionally, the illustrations are merely representational and may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions within the illustrations may be exaggerated, while other proportions may be minimized. Accordingly, the disclosure and the figures are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.

0049One or more embodiments of the disclosure may be referred to herein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any particular invention or inventive concept. Moreover, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any subsequent arrangement designed to achieve the same or similar purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all subsequent adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the description.

0050The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b) and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, various features may be grouped together or described in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter may be directed to less than all of the features of any of the disclosed embodiments. Thus, the following claims are incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as defining separately claimed subject matter.

0051The above disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments, which fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the present invention is to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description.