Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02836622 2013-12-13
A METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TRANSFERRING PERSONAL
MEMORIES AND DIRECTIVES INTO DIGITAL REPRESENTATIONS
TO BE ACCESSIBLE BY BENEFICIARIES
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a computer method and system for
distributing memories to beneficiaries using the Internet.
BACKGROUND
Modern Internet communications networks connect many computers
and computer networks. Electronic mail and the World Wide Web ("WWW" or "Web")
are connected through communications links and allow remote user computer
systems to send information to a Web page of the WWW that is uniquely
identifiable
by a Uniform Resource Locator ("URL"). Users view a specific Web page by
sending
a Hyper Text Transfer Protocol ("HTTP") request to the URL of the Web site.
The
Web server supporting the unique Web site receives the request and sends the
Web
page to the user's computer. A special-purpose application in the user's
computer
called a browser, receives the information from the Web site and displays it
on the
user's screen. Hypertext Markup Language ("HTML") elements are the building
blocks
of all Web sites that allow information to be contained on the site to define
its structure
and other items that make up the text, lists, links and other contents of the
Web page.
Computers store information in digital format on internal hard drives,
external drives and on removable storage devices like a USB flash drives (data
storage devices that include flash memory with an integrated Universal Serial
Bus
(USB) interface). Many social networking sites also provide remote computing
and
storage capacity as a service to a community of users. These storage systems,
often
referred to as "cloud" computing, are efficient and inexpensive but require
that a
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user's information be stored along with information from many other users.
Since
communications often contain sensitive information (e.g.: bank account and
credit
card numbers), users want to ensure security of their information. Security is
of
concern because information transmitted over the Internet may progress through
several computers and servers and be susceptible to interception by
unscrupulous
individuals. Even encryption techniques are not a guarantee against hacking.
Similarly, when information is stored in the cloud, it is vulnerable to attack
because
there is so much data available that sophisticated hacking techniques have a
higher
probability of being successful.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a computer
implemented system for storing digital memories of a subscriber using an
Internet
enabled subscriber computing device for access by a beneficiary using an
intemet
enabled beneficiary computing device, the system comprising:
a proprietary server comprising a subscriber zone associated with the
subscriber and which includes subscriber authorization criteria associated
therewith
and at least one beneficiary zone associated with said subscriber zone which
includes
beneficiary authorization criteria relating to a beneficiary associated
therewith;
a communication interface arranged to provide sole communication
between the proprietary server and the internet, the communication interface
comprising:
a subscriber authentication component arranged to authorize a
subscriber to upload digital memories over the Internet to the subscriber zone
of the
proprietary server and to transfer digital memories from the subscriber zone
to one
beneficiary zone of the proprietary server associated with said subscriber
zone using
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the subscriber computing device in response to the subscriber authorization
criteria
being met; and
a beneficiary authentication component arranged to authorize a
beneficiary to access digital memories only from the beneficiary zone
associated
therewith using the beneficiary computing device in response to the
beneficiary
authorization criteria being met.
Modern communication systems according to the present invention
provided an altemative method to the traditional way for an individual to
share
information with beneficiaries by a last will and testament. A subscriber's
memories in
the form of voice, video or data are stored in digital form and are encrypted
with a
unique random number (salt) and a number of hash iterations to be sent to a
highly-
secure proprietary server. The Web site provides authentication for both the
subscriber for storing the encrypted memories and for designated beneficiaries
to
retrieve the digital memories after appropriate conditions have been met as
described
in further detail herein.
Preferably the beneficiary authentication component is arranged to be
activated only in response to a prescribed subscriber condition criteria being
met.
The prescribed subscriber condition criteria preferably comprises a
confirmed death of the subscriber, or altematively an incapacitation of the
subscriber
as confirmed by a preselected group of incapacitation contacts.
Preferably the subscriber authentication component of the
communication interface comprises a website server system.
The beneficiary authentication component of the communication
interface may also comprise a website server system.
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The subscriber authorization criteria preferably includes an identity of
the subscriber encrypted with a unique random number and a number of hash
iterations.
The subscriber authorization criteria may include a machine
identification corresponding to the subscriber computing device.
The subscriber zone preferably comprises a storage zone arranged to
receive digital memories from the subscriber computing device and a secure
zone
arranged to receive digital memories from the storage zone prior to transfer
to the
beneficiary zone in which each of the storage zone and the secure zone have
respective subscriber authorization criteria associated therewith.
The subscriber zone may further comprise a data transfer component
arranged to transfer digital memories only from the storage zone to the secure
zone if
the subscriber authorization criteria associated with the storage zone has
been met
but the subscriber authorization criteria associated with the secure zone has
not been
met.
The subscriber authorization criteria associated with the secure zone
preferably require a higher degree of authorization than the subscriber
authorization
criteria associated with the storage zone.
The subscriber authorization criteria associated with the secure zone
may include biometric rhythm criteria associated with the subscriber.
Preferably the subscriber authorization criteria associated with the
secure zone includes a one-time access code which is valid for a single use.
In this
instance the subscriber authorization component may be arranged to generate
the
one-time access code and transmit the one-time access code to the subscriber
independently of the communication interface.
CA 02836622 2013-12-13
When used with a plurality of beneficiaries using respective beneficiary
computing devices, preferably the proprietary server includes a plurality of
beneficiary
zones associated with said subscriber zone in which the plurality of
beneficiary zones
have different beneficiary authorization criteria associated therewith
corresponding to
5 different ones of the beneficiaries being authorized to access the digital
memories
stored therein.
The beneficiary authorization criteria may include challenge questions
prescribed by the subscriber which are personalized to the respective
beneficiary.
The beneficiary authorization criteria may also include a one-time
access code which is valid for a single use. In this instance, the beneficiary
authorization component may be arranged to generate the one-time access code
and
transmit the one-time access code to the beneficiary independently of the
communication interface.
The proprietary server preferably further comprises a time capsule
component associated with said subscriber zone which is arranged to receive
digital
memories from the subscriber zone and store the digital memories in encrypted
form
therein. Preferably the time capsule component is arranged to provide an
authorized
beneficiary access to the information upon expiry of a prescribed duration.
The system may further include a subscriber storage tool arranged to be
executed on the subscriber computing device in which the subscriber storage
tool is
arranged to automatically transfer digital memories in encrypted form from the
subscriber computing device to the subscriber zone in response to subscriber
interactions with the subscriber computing device.
When the subscriber zone comprises a storage zone arranged to
receive digital memories from the subscriber storage tool and a secure zone
arranged
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to receive digital memories from the storage zone prior to transfer to the
beneficiary
zone, the subscriber storage tool may be the only authorized to transfer
digital
memories to the storage zone.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided
a method for storing digital memories of a subscriber for access by a
beneficiary using
an Internet enabled beneficiary computing device, the method comprising:
providing an intemet enabled subscriber computing device;
providing a proprietary server comprising a subscriber zone associated
with the subscriber and which includes subscriber authorization criteria
associated
therewith and at least one beneficiary zone associated with said subscriber
zone
which includes beneficiary authorization criteria relating to the beneficiary
associated
therewith;
providing a communication interface arranged to provide sole
communication between the proprietary server and the intemet, the
communications
interface comprising a subscriber authentication component and a beneficiary
authentication component;
receiving digital memories uploaded over the internet to the subscriber
zone of the proprietary server from a subscriber using the subscriber
computing
device and being authorized by the subscriber authentication component in
response
to subscriber authorization criteria being met;
transferring the digital memories from the subscriber zone to at least
one beneficiary zone associated with said subscriber zone in response to
instructions
from the subscriber using the subscriber computing device and being authorized
by
the subscriber authentication component in response to subscriber
authorization
criteria being met;
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arranging only the digital memories from the beneficiary zone
associated the beneficiary to be accessed by the beneficiary authorized by the
beneficiary authentication component in response to beneficiary authorization
criteria
being met.
According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a
method in a subscribers computer system for converting memories into digital
representations accessible by designated beneficiaries, the method comprising:
providing a Web site server system with an identifier of the subscriber
encrypted with a unique random number (salt) and a number of hash iterations
and
identification of the subscriber's computer system and mobile devices;
providing sufficient data input to allow biometric authentication;
converting voice, video and data memories into digital format accessible
by designated beneficiaries;
recording a subscriber's selected memories in a contiguous location on
proprietary servers; and
allowing access to the subscribers memories by previously-designated
beneficiaries after successful completion of a security challenge process
designed by
the subscriber.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a
method in a server system for providing access to a subscriber's memories by
designated beneficiaries, the method comprising:
a component that receives from a subscriber's system a subscriber
identifier encrypted with a unique salt (random bits) and a number of hash
iterations;
a component that receives machine identification numbers of the
subscriber's computer equipment;
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a component that receives subscriber's memories in voice, video and
typewritten form;
a component that converts the memories to digital format and places
them in secure memory capsules on proprietary servers; and
a component that permits a designated beneficiary to share in specific
memories after passing challenge testing.
One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a schematic representation of the system according to the
present invention for storing digital memories for subsequent access by
beneficiaries;
Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the process for initially
subscribing to the system;
Figure 3 is a schematic representation of the process for storing digital
memories on the proprietary servers of the system; and
Figure 4 is a schematic representation of the process for retrieval of
digital memories by designated beneficiaries.
In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts
in the different figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The traditional way for an individual to share information with
beneficiaries is through a last will and testament. Modem communication
systems
present an alternative method. A subscriber's memories are captured in voice,
video
or data; are encrypted with a unique random number (salt) and a number of hash
iterations and sent to a highly-secure proprietary server. The Web site
authenticates
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the subscriber through the username and password and through the biometric
rhythm
of the data input as compared to the user profile stored on the Web site
server. The
encrypted memories are stored in segregated locked capsules that are
impenetrable
to anyone but the subscriber and designated beneficiaries. Beneficiaries are
required
to answer a series of questions posed by the subscriber with the answers being
common knowledge to the user and the beneficiary, and presumably, only to the
subscriber and beneficiary.
In the subscription process, the subscriber decides which beneficiaries
will have access to the Web site, the specific memories the beneficiaries will
be able
to access and how strong the security needs to be for the beneficiary to
access the
specific memory. The Web site provides the subscriber with a menu of choices
and
pre-set questions with recommendations on how to create subscriber-specific
queries.
The user controls the strength of security for access to information stored in
capsules
in the virtual safety deposit box. Some subscribers will be extremely security-
conscious and will set very stringent access rules; others will be more
relaxed and will
set simpler security access questions. An additional option allows creation of
time
capsules for specific memories. The subscriber pays-forward to a specific
future date
when the capsule automatically opens and distributes a notification and an
encrypted
access code to inform registered beneficiaries of the secured memories
available to
them at the Web site.
An individual wishing to become a subscriber will sign up by completing
an application and paying a fee. Once payment is processed, the subscriber's
mouse
and keystroke dynamics are monitored and processed to provide a continuous
authentication profile. The process does not need to know the letters and
characters
submitted thus preserving the integrity and security of the subscriber's
encrypted
CA 02836622 2013-12-13
password. A one-time access code is transmitted to a pre-designated email
address
established in the subscription process. During initiation, the Internet
address and
machine identifier for a main computer and frequently-used mobile or portable
devices
of a subscriber are captured by the Web site server. This process allows the
Web site
5 program to instantly recognize the subscriber during log in and providing
the fastest
most secure encrypted access. In the event that a subscriber logs in from a
new
device, a secure question and answer challenge process will allow access to
accredited users.
The Web site platform contains a subscriber's zone to provide easy,
10 fast, secure, encrypted access for day-to-day activity, a secure zone for
permanent
memory message capsule storage and a zone to identify designated beneficiaries
who will be allowed to share a subscriber's memories.
The subscriber's zone contains files where the subscriber can scan and
post important documents like passports, driver's licence, account and credit
card
numbers, user names and passwords, etc. The subscriber's zone also includes
files
with fill-in forms for listing user names, passwords, account numbers, PINs,
etc. There
is a mobile version and access through apps for iPhone, iPad, Android and
tablet
devices. Personal and business calendars, notes and memos, files, voice clips
and
videos can all be included. For individuals with less-than-perfect memories,
the Web
site provides the capability to create verbal memories and reminders
throughout the
day.
Cell phones and other mobile devices are likely to be the predominant
access to the iMemorized portal. The easy-access diary feature is an important
productivity tool. Voice memos, photographs, video clips and scans are
automatically
encrypted, time-stamped and posted to the secure daily diary. This
productivity
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enhancing system makes a chronological record of dictated reminders,
photographs
of job sites to document work progress, scans of receipts for tax purposes,
etc. Mobile
devices can record meetings or notes dictated after the meeting as reminders
or
action lists. The daily diary automatically encrypts the information and
displays an
icon showing the type of activity in a particular time slot.
The daily diary can also be used to make a permanent encrypted
chronological record of personal thoughts and activities. All diary items are
automatically backed-up in the virtual safety deposit box. The current month,
previous
month and next month (for appointments) are maintained on the mobile device
with
full access to attachments. Diary photos and videos are archived separately
from the
device register. This allows general photographs to be shared while special or
confidential photos can be encrypted and stored in a secure personal diary and
deleted from the photo album on the device. Stored items can be listed and
searched
from chronological albums of attachments or can be accessed by clicking on the
icon
displayed on date the item was created.
Most permanent data entry, including scans, audio and video, are
processed through the subscriber daily activity zone. Each memory can be
selected
for upload to permanent secure storage and decisions can be made about
retaining a
copy of the memory in the subscriber's daily work zone to be available for
access
from mobile devices. If secure storage is selected for a memory, it passes
trough a
'one-way' valve into the secure memory vault but not into a secure memory
capsule.
Memories can only be placed in a secure memory message capsule after the
subscriber has entered the highest security zone by successfully challenging
the pre-
established security barriers. These security barriers typically include
biometric
authentication and one-time access codes sent to a separate second
communications
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channel (i.e.: if the subscriber is using the main computer, the one-time
access code
is dispatched through the subscriber's mobile device).
The permanent memory message capsule zone maintains a
subscriber's memories in an encrypted secure state for themselves and for any
individuals designated as beneficiaries. Memory messages and other information
a
subscriber wants to secure are uploaded from the daily work zone as directed
by the
subscriber. During the initialization process, the subscriber has set the
security level
desired to protect the memory message capsules and has designated the specific
memory capsules accessible by individual beneficiaries. The memory message
capsules are segregated within the proprietary servers and are not accessible
unless
the security protection set up in the initialization process is successfully
challenged by
the subscriber or a designated beneficiary. There are three levels of security
available: mild, strong and extreme with the subscriber setting the level
desired
depending on perceived need for security. The 'mild' security setting is
comparable to
the secure processes used by banks and other financial institutions.
The initialization process for subscribers includes designating individuals
as registered beneficiaries allowed to share in the subscriber's memories.
Beneficiaries are anyone the subscriber wants to leave a message to or share
memories with, and would usually include life partners and children, other
family
members, executor, power of attorney, designate under an advanced health care
directive (living will), etc. Business partners, close friends and
acquaintances can also
be beneficiaries. The subscriber selects the memory message capsules relevant
to
each beneficiary and the level of security that will protect the specific
memory
capsule. The subscriber specifies a user name and email address for each
beneficiary. Challenge procedures allow for authentication of beneficiaries
even if
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email addresses or computer identification has changed over time and not been
updated.
An inherent security feature is that information is only stored on
proprietary servers and never released to the 'cloud'. There will be online
backup
servers in secure locations with multiple fibre sources, generator backup,
earthquake
protection, etc. When a memory is to be deleted, the physically contiguous
section of
the server containing the memory is reformatted or overwritten so no trace of
the
memory remains, even under forensic investigation.
The Web site is essentially an electronic version of selected portions of
a subscriber's memory. On confirmation of death or incapacity of a subscriber,
beneficiaries may receive email notification from the Web site of their
registered
status, a specific id card may be located with the subscriber's personal
effects or the
beneficiaries may have been notified by the subscriber at some earlier time.
Beneficiaries receive a one-time access code automatically from the Web site
server
or request a one-time access code from the Web site by submitting an
authenticated
death certificate number and, after authentication, receive the security
challenge test
previously set by the subscriber for the specific beneficiary. Successful
completion of
the security challenge provides access to the specific memories previously
authorized
by the subscriber.
Beneficiary access may also be achieved when a subscriber is
incapacitated through disappearance or illness like stroke or dementia. A
preselected
group of incapacitation contacts designated by the subscriber would confirm
that the
subscriber is unable to act. At least one arms-length independent party is
required in
each incapacity challenge group.
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Security requirements are tailored to meet the subscriber's perception of
the strength of security required. Suggested beneficiary challenge questions
are
multiple choice style to avoid failure based on non-identical answers.
Security levels
are made stronger by increasing the number of questions.
Turning now more particularly to the Figures, a schematic
representation of the computer implemented system for storing digital memories
of a
subscriber for subsequent access by a beneficiary is shown in Figure 1. The
system
generally comprises a proprietary website server 12 having a communication
interface
which provides the sole communication between the information stored on the
servers
and the Internet.
The server 12 communicates over the internet 14 with various
subscriber computing devices which may include a primary subscriber device 16,
for
example a personal home computer, and a secondary subscriber device 18, for
example a mobile phone with appropriate application software thereon. The
subscriber devices are Internet enabled and include appropriate software
components
executable thereon by the system for encrypting various forms of information
such as
voice, photos, videos, or various text documents into digital memories
transferred in a
secure manner over the intemet to the proprietary website server 12. At least
one of
the subscriber devices, preferably a mobile device, includes a diarizing tool
20 which
can automatically update various information from emails and calendars and the
like
over the internet to the subscriber's respective zone within the website
server as
described in further detail below.
Digital memories belonging to the subscriber are stored on the website
server through communication with the subscriber devices for subsequent
retrieval by
one or more beneficiaries having their own respective beneficiary computing
devices
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22 which are internet enabled for communication over the internet to the
website
server 12 also. The communication interface of the website server includes a
subscriber authentication component 24 and a beneficiary authorization
component
26 to authorize various communications of the subscriber and the respective
5 beneficiaries as described in further detail below.
Typically a subscriber initially subscribes to the service of the server 12
by submitting an application with the appropriate fee. The system then sets up
a
profile for the subscriber and collects various information such as an intemet
address
and machine identifier for each of the subscriber's computing devices 16 and
18, as
10 well as monitoring inputs by the subscriber to determine a biometric
rhythm profile to
be compared to in future for authenticating the subscriber at various levels.
Identity of
the subscriber can be further accomplished and confirmed at initial setup and
subscription by sending a single use set up password code to the subscriber
through
a pre-arranged separate mode of communication such an email to a pre-arranged
15 address which the subscriber then enters into the website server to confirm
their
identity when recording machine identifiers of authorized computing devices
for
example.
Further steps in the setup process may include various selections made
by the subscriber with regard to the diarizing tool to determine what sources
of
information are automatically diarized such as emails, specific folders of
photos or
other data, and calendar entries for example.
In addition to selecting what content is uploaded from the subscriber
devices to the website server, the subscriber also sets up one or more
beneficiary
capsules 28. Each beneficiary capsule comprises a segregated zone for storage
of
information to be shared with one or more beneficiaries designated to be
authorized
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to view the content of that capsule. The subscriber also sets various
beneficiary
authorization criteria 30 to be associated with each beneficiary capsule with
which the
beneficiary is to be associated. The beneficiary authorization criteria 30
typically
comprises personalized information which is specific to the particular
designated
beneficiary.
When logged in to the website server 12, the subscriber typically
communicates with a subscriber zone 32 within the server which is segregated
from
other zones and is only authorized for access by the associated subscriber.
Within
the subscriber zone, there is provided a storage zone 34 which is accessed
with a first
level of subscriber authorization criteria 36. The storage zone 34 receives
various
digital memories chosen by the subscriber for upload when logged in to the
website
server and is intended for more frequent day-to-day interactions so that daily
work
files 38 can be stored therein and readily accessed with a first level of
authorization.
The storage zone is also the destination for any content which is
automatically uploaded by the diarizing tool 20 so that the automatically
diarized
content 40 can also be readily accessed with only the first level subscriber
authorization criteria 36 being met.
Once access is provided to the storage zone, the subscriber can select
different portions of data to be sent to a secure zone 42 having a higher
level security.
A data transfer tool 44 permits data to be transferred in a single direction
from the
storage zone to the secure zone without requiring a second level subscriber
authorization criteria 46 being met. If the user wishes to access data which
has
already been transferred to the secure zone however, the content in the secure
zone
can only be accessed once the second level subscriber authorization criteria
46 has
been met.
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Typically the second level subscriber authorization criteria are more
strict than the first level. For example, the second level subscriber
authorization
criteria may include comparing biometric rhythm profiles of the subscriber or
a single
access code sent separately to the subscriber. The second level criteria may
also
require matching a specific internet address and/or machine identifier
relating to one
specific subscriber device 16 or 18. By
contrast the first level subscriber
authorization may only comprise a single criteria being met or may involve
more
general passwords for example as compared to the second level authorization
criteria.
Once the subscriber has accessed the secure zone, the subscriber can
make selections as to what portion of the content is transferred to the
different
beneficiary capsules 28 which have already been set up. Alternatively the
subscriber
can add new beneficiary capsules as desired simply by specifying the
associated
beneficiaries and the respective beneficiary criteria 30 to be associated
therewith.
Within the secure zone the subscriber may also create a personal
capsule 48 which is segregated from the other capsules and remains private to
the
subscriber.
The subscriber may also designate a time capsule 50 in the form of a
further segregated zone for storage of data, but with different criteria for
access being
prescribed. In particular, the time capsule is designated for release to one
or more
beneficiaries at a designated time in the future once the prescribed duration
has
elapsed. Access to the content of the designated beneficiaries may be similar
to the
beneficiary capsules described above.
The content left in the beneficiary capsules typically becomes available
to the respective designated beneficiaries only upon one of two conditions
being met.
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The conditions include either the death of the subscriber being confirmed or
the
incapacitation of the subscriber being confirmed. Confirmation of
incapacitation can
only occur if a group of incapacitation contacts preselected by the subscriber
can
confirm the incapacitation.
Once the above conditions have been met, all beneficiaries designated
by the subscriber are notified of the respective beneficiary capsules. To
access the
content, the beneficiaries must, submit a death certificate number for the
subscriber
and receive, after authentication, a single use code from the website server
12 which
is then transmitted to the beneficiary through a separate communication means
which
is prearranged by the subscriber. The single use code can then be entered by
the
respective beneficiary into the website server to grant access to the
respective
beneficiary authorization criteria 30. The criteria typically comprise a
series of
challenge questions which are intended to be personalized to the beneficiary.
Once
the challenge questions have been met, the beneficiary then gains access to
the
digital memory stored within the respective capsule 28 within the beneficiary
zone of
the proprietary server.
Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein
above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made
within the spirit and scope of the claims without department from such spirit
and
scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying
specification shall
be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.
