SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING MEDICAL AND CONTACT INFORMATION DURING AN EMERGENCY CALL

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of emergency communications. More specifically, the present invention relates to a communication network and associated method for quickly and easily storing, retrieving and providing information related to the subject of an emergency communication.

[0002] This section is intended to provide a background or context to the invention that is recited in the claims. The description herein may include concepts that could be pursued, but are not necessarily ones that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated herein, what is described in this section is not prior art to the description and claims in this application and is not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.

[0003] Emergency notification systems have been in use for many years, routing emergency calls to proper response authorities such as the local police, fire department, ambulance service, etc., where dialing 9-1-1 denotes that a call is an emergency call. In approximately over 93% of locations in the United States and Canada, dialing 9-1-1 from any telephone will connect a caller to an emergency dispatch center called a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP), which can send emergency response personnel to the caller's location in an emergency. FIG. 4 shows a typical communications network in which basic 911 service is implemented. A user makes a 911 call using telephone 400 indicating that the user is in some sort of distress. The call is routed to a local exchange carrier (LEC) switch 405 and forwarded to a 911 tandem switch 410. Upon receipt of the 911 call, the 911 tandem switch 410 routes the 911 call to one of a plurality of PSAPs 415a, 415b, or 415c. Alternatively, the LEC switch 405 can route the 911 call directly to one of the PSAPs 415a, 415b, 415c. It should be noted that a PSAP is a designation used to describe a location where the 911 call is terminated, answered, processed, and the nature of the distress or emergency is determined and assessed. An automatic call distributor (ACD), a call center, or a private branch exchange (PBX) switch can function as a PSAP, or PSAP equipment can include an ACD, call center, or PBX switch. An operator (not shown) of PSAP 415b processes the 911 call and forwards it to an appropriate response center or agency, e.g., an ambulance service 420, a local fire department 425, or a local police department 430.

[0004] In some areas and through some wireless carriers, Enhanced 911 (E911 and E112 (EU)) is available through third party companies, which automatically gives the PSAP the caller's location, even on cellular devices. FIG. 5 is an example of a communications network in which E911 service is implemented. The network operates as described with reference to FIG. 4. However, instead of only voice data being sent from telephone 400, Automatic Number Identification (ANI) information is also sent through the communication network. Originally, ANI information was utilized to assist a telephony company in accessing toll charges for long distance calls. Advances in technology, however, allowed ANI information to be used in relaying needed information to a PSAP for 911 response as well. Therefore, upon receipt of a 911 call at the 911 tandem switch 410, the ANI information associated with telephone 400 is read, thereby allowing 911 tandem switch 410 to send the callback number of telephone 400 to the display of a workstation at the appropriate PSAP 415a, 415b, or 415c. With this callback number information, the appropriate PSAP is able to access a 911/Automatic Location Identifier (ALI) database 540 and retrieve the caller's physical address or ALI.

[0005] However, when regular 911 calls are made from mobile telephones, the call may not be routed to the closest PSAP, and the call taker does not receive a callback phone number or the location of the caller. This presents life threatening problems due to lost response time if callers are unable to speak or don't know where they are, or if they don't know their mobile telephone callback number and the call is dropped. The National Emergency Number Association (NENA) is an organization that was created to foster technological advancements, availability, and implementation of a universal emergency telephone number system. To address the problems present in wireless 911, a three phase plan was enacted.

[0006] The most basic of these phases, sometimes called Wireless Phase 0, simply provides that when a caller dials 9-1-1 from a wireless telephone, an operator at a PSAP answers. The operator may be at a state highway patrol PSAP, at a city or county PSAP up to hundreds of miles away, or at a local PSAP, depending on how the wireless 911 call is routed.

[0007] Wireless Phase I is the first step in providing better emergency response service to wireless 911 callers. When Wireless Phase I has been implemented, a wireless 911 call will come into a PSAP with the mobile telephone callback number. This is important in the event the call is dropped, and may even allow PSAP operators to work with a wireless company to identify the wireless subscriber. However, Wireless Phase I still does not help call takers locate emergency victims or callers.

[0008] To locate wireless 911 callers, Wireless Phase II may be implemented in an area by local 911 systems and wireless carriers. Wireless Phase II will allow operators to receive both the caller's mobile telephone number and their location information. This is accomplished by requiring new mobile telephones to provide their latitude and longitude to PSAP emergency response operators in the event of a 911 call. Carriers may choose whether to implement this via GPS chips in each phone, or via triangulation between cell towers. In addition, Wireless Phase II requires carriers to connect 911 calls from any mobile telephone, regardless of whether that phone is currently active. Due to limitations in technology (of the mobile telephone, cell towers, and PSAP equipment), a mobile callers' geographical information may not always be available to the local PSAP.

[0009] However, companies have recently developed technologies to overcome this problem and better utilize the triangulation techniques in order to locate the caller's proximity to a tower. Signal strength, as intercepted by the nearest cellular towers can at least narrow the location to a specific area, which may allow for emergency response teams to respond more quickly. Companies have developed technologies exceeding the FCC Phase II regulations for location accuracy, even developing technology to handle rural locations. However, these technologies still do not provide all pertinent information to the nearest PSAP.

[0010] The networks described above remain very limited in functionality. For example, medical information relating to a caller must still be gleaned by a PSAP operator conversing with the caller. If the caller has become incapacitated or is otherwise unable to speak, the PSAP operator has no way of knowing how best to aid the caller. It is left to emergency response personnel to determine this and act upon arriving at the caller's location. Therefore, it would be helpful to know any pertinent medical information beforehand as well as the proximate location of the caller. It would also be helpful to inform interested parties, such as parents of a child, if the child has initiated a 911 call. There have been attempts to provide medical history information and wireless location to PSAP operators and systems have been developed to notify third parties of 911 calls. However, these systems and methods require additional infrastructure equipment that are not easy to integrate into existing communication networks. Moreover, these systems and methods still require extra steps of a PSAP operator and extra time, for example, manually accessing and retrieving medical data regarding a 911 caller as well as attempting to retrieve the location of the caller from the caller themselves or from a third party network database. Therefore, an improvement is needed to overcome the extra time, steps, and hassle to quickly locate a caller, retrieve their medical information and provide this to the nearest PSAP.

[0011] Various embodiments of the present invention comprise a system and method for providing medical, contact and location information associated with a subscriber, to the nearest response personnel, such as PSAP operators, local fire and police departments, and the like. The medical and contact information can include, but is not limited to a subscriber's name, blood type, date of birth, language(s) spoken, and emergency contact(s). As well, the location information may provide a proximate location to a cellular tower, structure or exact latitude and longitude coordinates. When a subscriber initiates an emergency 911 call, an agent in the telephone sends an identifier through the communication network to a central server. The identifier allows the subscriber's associated medical and contact information to be retrieved from the central server, As well, the identifier may be routed through a third party database, in order to locate the caller location through GPS, triangulation, or signal angle and time of arrival at one tower. After receiving the location information at the central server, this information along with the subscriber's associated medical information is relayed to a response personnel, or PSAP, within closest proximity to the subscriber. In another embodiment, the location information may be processed and retrieved through the central server at the first call center, not requiring communication with a third party. In addition, a message can be sent to any contact(s) retrieved in the subscriber's associated medical and contact information at substantially the same time the 911 call is initiated, alerting that contact(s) that a 911 call has been made.

[0012] In further embodiments, a method is provided for providing subscriber information from a call on a wireless network by receiving the caller's identifier information and then forwarding it to a first communication network and forwarding it to a database in order to provide it to the nearest PSAP location.

[0013] Various embodiments of the present invention allow for better and easier implementation of emergency 911 services. The nearest PSAP operators can receive all the necessary information for aiding a subscriber in an emergency situation immediately without having to manually access outside data sources. As well, in one embodiment, this information may be relayed to the most proximate PSAP by a person other than the caller, who may be distressed and unable to properly communicate in an emergency situation. Existing service providers do not have to invest in additional infrastructure, nor do service providers have to modify their respective system architectures. However, one embodiment provides that the existing service provider may be the third party to aid in locating the most proximate PSAP through their databases.

[0014] These and other advantages and features of the invention, together with the organization and manner of operation thereof, will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements have like numerals throughout the several drawings described below.

[0026] FIG. 1 shows a system 10 in which the present invention can be implemented and utilized, comprising multiple communication devices that can communicate through a network. The system 10 may comprise any combination of wired or wireless networks including, but not limited to, a mobile telephone network, a wireless Local Area Network (LAN), a Bluetooth personal area network, an Ethernet LAN, a token ring LAN, a wide area network, the Internet, i.e., voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP), etc. The system 10 may include both wired and wireless communication devices.

[0027] For exemplification, the system 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a mobile telephone network 11 and the Internet 28. Connectivity to the Internet 28 may include, but is not limited to, long range wireless connections, short range wireless connections, and various wired connections including, but not limited to, telephone lines, cable lines, power lines, and the like.

[0028] The exemplary communication devices of the system 10 may include, but are not limited to, a mobile telephone 12, a combination PDA and mobile telephone 14, a PDA 16, an integrated messaging device (IMD) 18, a desktop computer 20, and a notebook computer 22. The communication devices may be stationary or mobile as when carried by an individual who is moving. The communication devices may also be located in a mode of transportation including, but not limited to, an automobile, a truck, a taxi, a bus, a boat, an airplane, a bicycle, a motorcycle, etc. Some or all of the communication devices may send and receive calls and messages and communicate with service providers through a wireless connection 25 to a base station 24. The base station 24 may be connected to a network server 26 that allows communication between the mobile telephone network 11 and the Internet 28. The system 10 may include additional communication devices and communication devices of different types.

[0029] The communication devices may communicate using various transmission technologies including, but not limited to, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), Short Messaging Service (SMS), Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), e-mail, Instant Messaging Service (IMS), Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11, etc. A communication device may communicate using various media including, but not limited to, radio, infrared, laser, cable connection, and the like.

[0030] FIGS. 2 and 3 show one representative mobile telephone 12 within which the present invention may be implemented. It should be understood, however, that the present invention is not intended to be limited to one particular type of mobile telephone 12 or other electronic device. The mobile telephone 12 of FIGS. 2 and 3 includes a housing 30, a display 32 in the form of a liquid crystal display, a keypad 34, a microphone 36, an ear-piece 38, a battery 40, an infrared port 42, an antenna 44, a smart card 46 in the form of a UICC according to one embodiment of the invention, a card reader 48, radio interface circuitry 52, codec circuitry 54, a controller 56 and a memory 58. Individual circuits and elements are all of a type well known in the art.

[0031] A typical wireless emergency 911 network is shown in FIG. 6. A caller using mobile telephone 600 initiates a wireless 911 call. The nearest serving cell tower 610 picks up the wireless 911 call and relays it to a mobile switching center (MSC) 620. The MSC 620 operates much like a landline LEC switch and forwards the wireless 911 call to 911 tandem switch 410. It should be noted that the MSC 620 is usually a part of or operated by one of a plurality of local wireless service providers. The wireless 911 call is then received at the PSAP 415b, along with wireless ANI data that indicates the wireless telephone callback number of mobile telephone 600. The PSAP 415b can relay the relevant information to the appropriate response center or agency 420, 425, and/or 430. In addition, there are known methods of sending additional ANI-related data with the wireless 911 call, such as information regarding the cell face of the cell tower 610 that received the wireless 911 call, or the cell tower 610 itself. This information can be used to approximate within several hundred square meters, where the wireless 911 call was made from.

[0032] As mentioned above, Wireless Phase II promulgated by NENA requires determination of the location of mobile telephones making 911 calls. One method of accomplishing this is through base station or cell tower triangulation. Each base station or cell tower, for example, cell tower 610, measures the amount of time it takes to receive a mobile telephone's signal when it makes a wireless 911 call. This time data is translated into distance data, which can be used for estimating how far the mobile telephone is from the base station or cell tower. This distance data is then cross-referenced with distance data from at least one other base stations or cell towers that received the mobile telephone's signal to arrive at longitudinal and latitudinal coordinates for that mobile telephone. Alternatively, the mobile telephone itself can triangulate its location by cross-referencing time-synchronized signals sent from multiple base stations or cell towers. The angle at which a mobile telephone's signal arrives at a base station or cell tower can also be determined using antenna arrays. This angle data can also be cross-referenced with angle data from other base stations or cell towers, and the mobile telephone's location can be triangulated. In addition, many mobile devices are now equipped with global positioning system (GPS) receivers that can receive GPS signals from GPS satellites to determine location.

[0033] FIG. 7 shows one embodiment of the present invention for providing medical and contact information services to subscribers. The elements of the wireless emergency 911 network of FIG. 6 are utilized in the system architecture of the present invention, with the exception of the 911 tandem switch 410. Replacing the 911 tandem switch 410 is a central server 700. The central server 700 implements and manages all application modules for effecting the medical information service. It should be noted that such an implementation of the present invention requires no infrastructure investment from service providers. Existing wireless networks and service providers, e.g., Verizon, Cingular, T-Mobile, Sprint/Nextel, USCellular, etc. need only install an agent on mobile telephones operating on their respective networks. The agent can be optimized for each service provider or can be coded as a universal application or module, capable of being utilized on any service provider equipment.

[0034] The agent for the mobile telephones can be added after being locked to a specific carrier by that service provider, or can be installed by the mobile telephone manufacturer, e.g., Nokia Corporation. Furthermore, the agent can be implemented directly in the mobile telephone itself or on a SIM card/microchip that can be removably installed/inserted into the mobile telephone. The agent is responsible for detecting dual tone multifrequency (DTMF) signals or a dedicated telephone keypad button/softkey representing 9-1-1. If logic in the mobile telephone is not present, the agent can also detect and distinguish between the actual dialing of a 911 call and when the digits 9-1-1 are merely a part of another telephone number or key-pressing sequence. The agent can even be coded to allow a 911 caller to input a unique identifier to identify him or herself in the event he/she must initiate a 911 call from a telephone other than their own, or if a person is initiating the 911 call on behalf of the person in distress. Additionally, a cancellation function can be provided by the agent to prevent false 911 calls from being routed.

[0035] Coding the agent can be done using, but not limited to, the Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless (BREW) platform, which is an air-interface independent platform originally used for downloading and running small mobile applications, Java Platform, Micro Edition (J2ME), a collection of Java application programming interfaces (APIs), or another OEM software platform.

[0036] In the one embodiment of the present invention, the central server 700 stores and maintains important medical and contact information for subscribers, including, but not limited to, a subscriber's name, date of birth, language(s) spoken, emergency contact(s), blood type, medications, allergies, weight, eye color, driver's license number, living will information, and organ donor information. The medical information services provided by the various embodiments of the present invention can be divided into subscription levels or packages, where all or some subset of the above medical information is stored and maintained for a subscriber. For example, a basic medical information services package can include storing and maintaining a subscriber's name, date of birth, language(s) spoken, emergency contact(s), and blood type. A premium medical information services package can include that information found in the basic service, plus the subscriber's medications, allergies, weight, eye color, driver's license number, living will information, and organ donor information.

[0037] In order to store and maintain subscribers' medical and contact information, a management console is provided through which a subscriber can create an emergency health profile. The management console can be a Web-based application/administration tool accessible to subscribers over the Internet or other data network. A subscriber logs onto a website using a terminal 720 or 730 and enters the appropriate medical and contact information into a webpage, after which, the information is loaded into and stored in the central server 700. Alternatively, the website or some other type of user interface, such as an interactive voice recognition (IVR) interface or a simple human operator interface can provide direct access to the central server 700. After creating an emergency health profile, a subscriber can revisit the profile and update or make changes to the information stored therein at his or her discretion. This can be performed using the website or using the subscriber's mobile telephone via the agent resident thereon. This allows a subscriber's relevant medical and contact information to be as up-to-date as possible. Additionally, having personal access to one's medical information promotes consumer-driven healthcare and makes accessing one's medical information an easy task. Third parties, such as insurance companies and hospitals can also be given the authority to access and view or update a subscriber's medical and contact information, or even link their own databases and servers with the central server 700.

[0038] When a subscriber initiates a 911 call on his or her mobile telephone 600, the 911 call is routed through the cell tower 610, the MSC 620, and to the central server 700. A service set identifier (SSID), or other identifier capable of identifying the subscriber or the mobile telephone 600, is also sent from the mobile telephone 600 at the same time the 911 call is initiated. Once the subscriber and/or mobile telephone 600 is authenticated using the SSID or other identifier, the central server 700 retrieves the emergency health profile of the calling subscriber. The central server 700 substantially simultaneously instructs the service provider that is operating MSC 620 to send a short message service (SMS) message containing the emergency health profile of the calling subscriber to PSAP 415b, and to send an SMS, text, email, voice, or other type of message(s) to alert any designated contact person 710 stored in the subscriber's emergency health profile to the fact that a 911 call was initiated on the subscriber's behalf.

[0039] In addition, the subscriber may be able to receive updates and notifications via an SMS message in case of catastrophic situations. These messages may be sent from the database of subscribers located on a central server 700 and routed through service provider that is operating the MSC 620 to all subscribers, or just a designated group of subscribers. For instance, if a catastrophe occurs in a specific region, the subscriber located in that region would be selected to receive an emergency notification. As well, the designated contact persons of the subscribers would also be able to receive updates or emergency notifications.

[0040] It should be noted that prior to routing the 911 call to the PSAP 415b, the methods discussed above regarding how to determine a mobile telephone's location can be used to choose the nearest PSAP. Alternatively, the agent discussed above, can be further adapted to determine the PSAP nearest to the mobile telephone 600, to which the 911 call should be routed. Geographic areas can be divided into any one of a number of regions, based on various criteria. For example, a specified area of coverage for a PSAP may include an area within the borders of a town or county, whereas in an urban area, the specified area of coverage may be comprised of a predetermined number of blocks. This process of gleaning the relevant medical and contact information before the 911 call reaches a PSAP allows a PSAP operator to have all the necessary information to aid and direct emergency response personnel to the subscriber. In addition, the infrastructure and messaging functionality of existing service providers is better, and more efficiently utilized than in past emergency 911 call systems and architectures.

[0041] In one embodiment FIG. 8 provides a system in which a third party is used to retrieve both wireless location information (ALI) and PSAP location information in order to locate the nearest PSAP to the subscriber. The subscriber places a call in an emergency situation on their wireless communication device 600, which is routed through one or more cellular towers 610, a mobile switching center (MSC) 620 and directed to a call center 900. The call center 900 may be human or database operated. The subscriber's ANI information is then forwarded to a central database 700 which can perform at least two functions of retrieving ALI information from a third party database 540 and implementing and managing all application modules for effecting the medical information service. Again, the subscriber may input and update this information through any terminal 720, 730, interfaced with the Internet.

[0042] After retrieving both the ALI and medical information through the central server 700, the information is provided to the call center 900. In this embodiment, the call center connects to a third party database 950 in order to find the nearest PSAP 800 to the location where the subscriber is making the call and connect to that PSAP 800. The call center may then provide the location and medical information to the nearest PSAP 800. In the instance where the call center is database operated, the medical and location information as well as the call would be immediately directed to the nearest PSAP through a VOIP or similar Internet type protocol. The call center may either maintain the connection with both the PSAP 800 and the subscriber. Alternatively, the call center may end the connection, allowing only the subscriber and the PSAP 800 to maintain their connection. The PSAP 800 may then perform its normal function of providing emergency assistance 420, 425, 430 to the subscriber as needed. This system improves upon previous systems, as it allows the PSAP centers to perform more efficiently because they have all the information necessary to provide a better emergency response. As well, it may allow for the PSAP to have lower call volume do to emergency being handled primarily by the call center and less time spent on emergency calls because more information regarding the subscriber is initially provided.

[0043] In another embodiment, FIG. 9 provides a system where the call center 900 and central server 700 provide the information necessary to locate the nearest PSAP 800 to the MSC 620. For example, a call is made from a wireless device 600 and directed through a wireless tower 610 and an MSC 620 to the call center 900. The ANI is then directed to the central server 700, where the ALI information is retrieved. In this embodiment, a third party database 540 is utilized to retrieve the ALI information. Alternatively, the database 540 could be in connection with the centralized server, making the third party unnecessary. The information is routed through a centralized database, and back to the call center 900. In this embodiment, the medical information and ALI are then sent to the MSC where the ALI is compared to a database of PSAPs. The nearest PSAP location is retrieved and the call is forwarded along with the subscriber's medical information, to the nearest PSAP 800 found through the MSC 620. The MSC 620 may be in connection with its own database of PSAP's or utilize another party in order to retrieve this information. The call center may then maintain a connection with the subscriber and nearest PSAP operator, or end the connection, leaving only the subscriber and PSAP operator on the line. Again, the PSAP may then perform its usual functions of providing assistance, but in a more efficient manner.

[0044] FIG. 10 provides an embodiment of the system in which the call is directed through the wireless tower 610 and the MSC 620 to the call center 900. In this embodiment, the ANI information is then sent to the central server 700, which connects to a third party database 540 in order to retrieve ALI information in order to locate the nearest PSAP 800 to the subscriber. In another embodiment, the database 540 may be in connection with the central server and call center, requiring no third party to be necessary. Once, the ALI information is retrieved by the central server 700, it is compared with a database of PSAP in order to locate the nearest one to the location of the subscriber. The call center then receives the nearest PSAP 800 information along with the subscriber's medical information from the central server, the call center connects to that PSAP 800 through use of the MSC 620 and tower 610. Again, the call center may remain connected to the caller and PSAP if desired, or end the connection after all information is forwarded to the PSAP. In another embodiment, the location of the PSAP may be retrieved through the third party database utilized to retrieve the ALI information. As disclosed above, the location of the nearest PSAP may also be retrieved through a database in connection with the MSC 620.

[0045] In a further embodiment, FIG. 11 provides a system where the call center 900 performs all the functions necessary to locate and direct the subscriber's call and medical information to the nearest PSAP 800. In this embodiment, the nearest PSAP may be located through a database in connection with the central server 700. The call and the subscriber's medical information may then be directed to the nearest PSAP by the call center, bypassing a need for any outside party. In this embodiment, the central server 700 utilizes the ANI in order to retrieve the ALI information associated with the caller and compare it to a database of PSAP's. The call center may then connect the nearest PSAP 800 found through the central server 700, to the subscriber and either stay on the line with the subscriber and PSAP operator, or end the connection, leaving only the subscriber and PSAP operator on the line. In the instance where the call center is database operated, the medical and location information as well as the call would be immediately directed to the nearest PSAP through a VOIP or similar type protocol. Again, the PSAP may then perform its usual functions of providing assistance, but in a more efficient manner.

[0046] In another embodiment of the present invention, the agent or the mobile telephone itself can be coded with a subscriber's medical and contact information, bypassing the need to access the central server 700 during the processing of a 911 call. The medical and contact information can be encrypted and password protected as well. This further speeds the process of responding to the 911 call. Additionally, a subscriber can travel anywhere in the world and have access to his or her medical and contact information via his or her mobile telephone. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the central server 700 as well as routing the emergency 911 call through the MSC 620 or other conventional service provider equipment can be bypassed. This is possible with networks that utilize advanced cell towers that have call routing functionality.

[0047] It should be noted that although embodiments of the present invention discussed above are implemented in wireless emergency 911 networks, the present invention is also easily adaptable to landline emergency 911 networks. In addition, various embodiments of the present invention can be utilized on basic as well as E911 networks. The agent can also be installed in other mobile devices, as well as personal computers and voice over IP-based devices, allowing the same functionality discussed above to provided to non-mobile telephone subscribers. In fact, information other than or in addition to medical and contact information can be stored, maintained, and accessed for purposes such as Homeland Security.

[0048] The present invention is described in the general context of method steps, which may be implemented in one embodiment by a program product including computer-executable instructions, such as program code, executed by computers in networked environments. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Computer-executable instructions, associated data structures, and program modules represent examples of program code for executing steps of the methods disclosed herein. The particular sequence of such executable instructions or associated data structures represents examples of corresponding acts for implementing the functions described in such steps.

[0049] Software and web implementations of the present invention could be accomplished with standard programming techniques with rule based logic and other logic to accomplish the various database searching steps, correlation steps, comparison steps and decision steps. It should also be noted that the words “component” and “module,” as used herein and in the claims, is intended to encompass implementations using one or more lines of software code, and/or hardware implementations, and/or equipment for receiving manual inputs.

[0050] The foregoing description of embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the present invention. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the present invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.