Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
DYNAMIC DISTRIBUTED SMART CONTRACTING FOR PRODUCT TRANSPORT
WITHIN A SUPPLY CHAIN
Vassileios Karakostas
Yash Chadha
Ioanna Fergadiotou
Patrick J. O'Sullivan
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
100011 Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to the field of product transport
in a supply chain
and more particularly to smart contracting for product transport within a
supply chain.
[0003] Description of the Related Art
[0004] A supply chain is a network between a company and its suppliers
to produce
and distribute a specific product, and the supply chain represents the steps
it takes to get
the product or service to the customer. Supply chain management is a crucial
process
because an optimized supply chain results in lower costs and a faster
production cycle.
Business logistics management refers to the production and distribution
process within
the company, while supply chain management includes suppliers, manufacturers,
logistics and transportation companies and retailers that distribute the
product to the end
customer. Supply chains include every business that comes in contact with a
particular
product, including companies that assemble and deliver parts to the
manufacturer.
[0005] Because the traditional supply chain involves many different
actors utilizing
many different disparate information systems, information sharing amongst the
different
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actors can be challenging. Transparency into the state of affairs of a given
transaction
depends largely upon the willingness and diligence of each actor in the supply
chain of
the transaction to provide accurate and timely information to one another. In
a single
transaction, so much seems not so daunting, but in a supply chain ecosystem of
hundreds
if not thousands of transactions are ongoing at any given time and much of the
resources
available within the ecosystem--particularly in respect to transportation and
logistics--
remain dependent upon the state of multiple different transactions.
[0006] A supply chain information sharing system aims to provide some
transparency
into the state of affairs of different transactions in a corresponding supply
chain. As part
of the transparency, the supply chain information system ingests data from
different
actors in the supply chain, processes the ingested data in order to produce a
result
reflective of a state of the supply chain, and exposes the produced result to
one or more of
the actors in order to improve the flow of goods in industrial processes. In a
supply chain
spanning a single jurisdiction amongst only a handful of actors, so much is
not of
tremendous consequence, but in a supply chain that spans different
jurisdictional
boundaries and involves many different actors with different policies
regarding the
privacy of data, maintaining both transparency of transactions in the supply
chain while
not running afoul of the data privacy policies of both the private actors in
the supply
chain and the public governmental interests in which the actors reside can be
challenging.
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BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the
art in respect
to contracting for product transit in a supply chain and provide a novel and
non-obvious
computer-implemented method, computer system and computer program product for
dynamic distributed smart contracting in the transport of product within a
supply chain to
thereby improve the flow of goods in industrial processes. In an embodiment of
the
invention, a smart contracting method includes receiving in an intermediate
way station
disposed on a route between an originator of shipment of an item and a
destination
indicated for the item, digital terms of shipment for the transport of the
item, and a digital
contract of transport of the item from the originator to the destination. The
method also
includes matching the terms of the shipment to pre-stored data indicating an
ability of the
way station to meet the terms of the shipment. Optionally, the digital terms
may be
verified by decrypting the digital contract with a public key of the
originator and
comparing the decrypted digital contract with a hash of the digital terms.
[0008] Thereafter, portions of the contract are identified that
correspond to the way
station and requirements of the identified portions are then matched to pre-
stored rules
indicating a willingness of the intermediate way station to agree to
particular contract
terms. Finally, a digital signature for the intermediate way station is
affixed to the digital
contract. In one aspect of the embodiment, the digital signature is a hash of
the digital
contract encrypted with a private key of the intermediate way station. On
condition that
the terms and requirements match, a next way station on the route selected,
and
transmission of the digital contract and terms of shipment directed to the
selected next
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way station. To the extent that the pre-stored rules do not indicate a
willingness of the
intermediate way station to agree to particular terms, though, a message is
transmitted to
the originator rejecting the digital contract.
[0009] In yet another aspect of the embodiment, the next way station is
selected by
retrieving from a cache, different capabilities of a multiplicity of different
way stations,
comparing the different capabilities with the terms of the shipment, and
selecting one of
the multiplicity of the different way stations that has capabilities which
match a greatest
number of the terms of the shipment. In even yet another aspect of the
embodiment, the
next way station is selected by querying each of a multiplicity of different
way stations
for a list of corresponding capabilities, comparing each list received from
the multiplicity
of different way stations, and selecting one of the multiplicity of the
different way
stations that has capabilities which match a greatest number of the terms of
the shipment.
In even yet another aspect of the embodiment, the next way station is selected
by
retrieving from a cache, different capabilities of a multiplicity of different
way stations,
comparing the different capabilities with the terms of the shipment, filtering
the
multiplicity of different way stations to a subset, querying each way station
in the subset
for a list of updated capabilities, and selecting one of the way stations in
the subset that
has capabilities which match a greatest number of the terms of the shipment.
100101 In another embodiment of the invention, a data processing system
is
configured for dynamic distributed smart contracting. The system includes a
host
computing platform of one or more computers, each with memory and at least one
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processor. The host computing platform includes a communicative coupling over
a
computer communications network to different remote computing systems. Each of
the
different remote computing systems corresponds to a different way station on a
route
between an originator of a shipment of an item and a destination indicated for
the item.
Of note, the host computing platform corresponds to an intermediate way
station
disposed on the route.
[0011] The system also includes a smart contracting module. The module
includes
computer program instructions executing in the memory of the host computing
platform
and enabled to perform receiving in the intermediate way station digital terms
of
shipment for the transport of the item, and a digital contract of transport of
the item from
the originator to the destination and matching the terms of the shipment to
pre-stored data
indicating an ability of the way station to meet the terms of the shipment.
The
instructions also are enabled to perform identifying portions of the contract
corresponding to the way station and matching requirements of the identified
portions to
pre-stored rules indicating a willingness of the intermediate way station to
agree to
particular contract term(s). Finally, the instructions are enabled to perform
affixing a
digital signature for the intermediate way station to the digital contract on
condition that
the terms and requirements match and then selecting a next way station on the
route and,
directing transmission of the digital contract and terms of shipment to the
selected next
way station, but otherwise transmitting a message to the originator rejecting
the digital
contract.
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. .
[0012] Additional aspects of the invention will be set forth in part in
the description
which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be
learned by
practice of the invention. The aspects of the invention will be realized and
attained by
means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the
appended claims.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the
following
detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not
restrictive of the
invention, as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute part of
this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with
the
description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The embodiments
illustrated
herein are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the
invention is not
limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown, wherein:
[0014] Figure 1 is a pictorial illustration of a process for dynamic
distributed smart
contracting;
[0015] Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a data processing system
configured for
dynamic distributed smart contracting;
[0016] Figure 3 is a flow chart illustrating a process for dynamic
distributed smart
contracting;
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. .
[0017] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing an exemplary computer system
in respect
of which aspects of the present technology may be implemented; and
[0018] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing an exemplary smartphone in
respect of
which aspects of the present technology may be implemented.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Embodiments of the invention provide for dynamic distributed
smart
contracting for product transport within a supply chain. In accordance with an
embodiment of the invention, a smart contract includes one or more digital
terms of
shipment for the transport of an item, and one or more digital signatures
indicating
acquiescence to the digital terms by each party to the transport of the item.
The smart
contract is propagated from a source way station disposed on a route between
an
originator of shipment of the item and a destination indicated for the item,
to each
intermediate way station on the route. At each way station, the terms of the
shipment are
matched to pre-stored data indicating an ability of the way station to meet
the terms of the
shipment. To that end, each way station identifies portions of the contract
corresponding
to the way station and matches requirements of the identified portions to pre-
stored rules
indicating a willingness of the way station to agree to particular contract
terms. If
agreeable, then a digital signature for the way station is affixed to the
digital contract and
a next way station on the route selected. Finally, the digital contract and
terms of
shipment are transmitted to the selected next way station. The flow of goods
in industrial
processes is thereby improved. Importantly, in reading the present
specification it is to be
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understood that the invention does not envision, encompass or embody
implementation
by pencil/pen and paper or a mere series of mental steps. The nature of the
present
invention is such that as a practical matter it cannot be implemented within
realistic
timeframes without the use of computer technology. As such, the person skilled
in the art
will understand that the use of a computer to implement the embodiments
described
herein is essential.
[0020] In further illustration, Figure 1 pictorially shows a process for
dynamic
distributed smart contracting. As shown in Figure 1, different way stations
130A, 130B,
130N are provided in sequence so as to define a transportation route of a
shipping
container from an origin way station 130A to a destination way station 130N
with one or
more intermediate way stations 130B disposed therebetween. Each of the way
stations
130A, 130B, 130N include a digital hub 140, and are associated with one or
more
prospective modes of transport 150, such as rail, truck, ship and airplane
such that
containers received in a corresponding one of the different way stations 130A,
130B,
130N may be received in one of the modes of transport 150 and forwarded to a
next one
of the different way stations 130A, 130B, 130N by a same or different one of
the modes
of transport 150. Each of the way stations 130A, 130B, 130N includes a set of
rules 170
defining parameters within which a corresponding one of the way stations 130A,
130B,
130N is able to agree to transport an item. Those parameters may range from
minimum
pricing to transport an item, to minimum transport times in transporting an
item, to
geographic range parameters within which an item may be transported, to a
specified
mode of transport 150, and so forth.
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100211 In operation, a smart contract 110 is received in a first one of
the way stations
130A. The smart contract 110 includes a set of digital terms 120, with
portions of the
digital terms 120 being assigned to different ones of the way stations 130A,
130B, 130N.
The digital terms 120 specify conditions on the transport of an item, such as
a minimum
time permitted to transport the item, a price of transport, a required mode of
transport,
and the like. The digital hub 140 of the way station 130A receives the smart
contract 110
and parses the digital terms 120 in order to identify a portion of the digital
terms 120
directed to the way station 130A. The digital hub 140 then applies the terms
of the
identified portion to the way station term rules 170 in order to determine if
all of the
terms of the identified portion are able to be supported by the way station
130A. If so,
the digital hub 140 signs the smart contract 110 by encrypting the identified
portion of
the digital terms 120 with a private key 160A of the way station 130A making
the agreed
upon terms of the identified portion, immutable.
[0022] Thereafter, the way station 130A selects a next way station 130B
to receive the
smart contract 110. In this regard, the next way station 130B is selected, for
instance, by
querying each of a selection of prospective next way stations 130B to
determine which is
able to acquiesce to the most number of the digital terms 120. Alternatively,
a cache of
known capabilities of a selection of prospective next way stations 130B may be
queried
to determine which is able to acquiesce to the most number of the digital
terms 120. As
yet another alternative, a cache of known capabilities of a selection of
prospective next
way stations 130B may be queried to determine which is able to acquiesce to
the most
number of the digital terms 120 in order to produce a subset of the way
stations 130B and
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the way stations 130B in the subset may then be queried to determine which is
able to
acquiesce to the most number of the digital terms 120. In any event, once a
next way
station 130B is selected, the smart contract 110 is transmitted to the next
way station
130B in the transport route and the process continues. When the smart contract
110 has
been processed and signed by the destination way station 130N, the smart
contract 110 is
then returned to the originator with the knowledge that every term of the
digital terms
120 has been agreed to by each one of the way stations 130A, 130B, 130N in the
transportation route.
100231 The process described in connection with Figure 1 can be
implemented in a
data processing system. In further illustration, Figure 2 schematically shows
a data
processing system configured for dynamic distributed smart contracting. The
system
includes a host computing platform that includes one or more computers, each
with
memory and at least one processor and corresponding to a specific way station
in a route
for transportation of an item, for an origin way station to a destination way
station. The
host computing platform 210 supports the operation of a smart contracting
module 300.
As well, the host computing platform 210 is communicatively coupled to
different remote
server computers 230, each supporting a corresponding smart contracting module
300
and each corresponding to another way station in the route.
[0024] Each smart contracting module 300 includes computer program
instructions
operable upon execution in memory of a corresponding computer, to receive a
smart
contract 250 and to extract digital terms from the smart contract 250. The
program
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instructions additionally are operable to apply pre-stored rules 240 to the
extracted digital
terms in order to identify any terms not acceptable to a corresponding one of
the way
stations. The program instructions are further operable to sign the smart
contract 250
with a private key 270 of the corresponding one of the way stations to the
extent that all
of the digital terms are deemed acceptable by the pre-stored rules. Finally,
the program
instructions are operable to select a next one of the way stations on the
route and to
forward the signed smart contract to the selected next one of the way
stations. In this
regard, the program instructions are enabled to retrieve from cache 260, known
capabilities of a selection of prospective next way stations to determine
which is able to
acquiesce to the most number of the terms of the smart contract 250 so as to
select the
way station to receive the smart contract 250 most likely to be able to
acquiesce to the
terms of the smart contract 250.
[0025] In even yet further illustration of the operation of the smart
contracting module
300, Figure 3 is a flow chart illustrating a process for dynamic distributed
smart
contracting. Beginning in block 310, a smart contract is received in a digital
hub of a
recipient way station in the route from origin way station to destination way
station. In
block 320, the digital terms of the smart contract are extracted and the smart
contract is
verified by decrypting the smart contract with the public key of the
originator of the
smart contract and comparing the decrypted smart contract with a hash of the
digital
terms accompanying the smart contract. In block 330, pre-stored rules for the
recipient
way station are retrieved and applied to those of the digital terms of the
smart contract
pertaining to the recipient way station in order to identify any terms
unacceptable to the
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recipient way station. In decision block 340, if all terms are acceptable
based upon the
application of the rules, the process continues through block 350. Otherwise,
the smart
contract is rejected in block 400.
[0026] In block 350, to the extent that the pre-stored rules when
applied to the digital
terms fails to identify any unacceptable terms, the smart contract is signed
by the
recipient way station by encrypting the digital terms of the smart contract
pertaining to
the recipient way station with a private key of the recipient way station.
Thereafter, in
block 360 a list of next potential way stations in the route is determined and
in block 370,
each of the way stations in the list is queried for respective capabilities in
transporting the
item to the destination way station. In block 380, one of the way stations
best matching
the digital terms of the smart contract is selected and in block 390, the
smart contract is
forwarded to the selected way station.
[0027] As can be seen from the above description, the dynamically
distributed smart
contracting for product transport within a supply chain, as described herein,
represents
significantly more than merely using categories to organize, store and
transmit
information and organizing information through mathematical correlations. The
technology for dynamically distributed smart contracting for product transport
within a
supply chain is in fact an improvement to the technology of supply chain
management, as
it facilitates improved transportation and logistics to effectively and
optimally bring
products from source to sink in order to improve the flow of goods in
industrial
processes. As such, the technology for dynamically distributed smart
contracting for
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product transport within a supply chain is not merely a business method, but
an
improvement to an aspect of the industrial processing of goods. The presently
described
dynamically distributed smart contracting for product transport within a
supply chain
manifests a physical effect by controlling the physical path traversed by
goods (e.g. a
package or a container such as an ISO container) from origin through one or
more way
stations to an ultimate destination. Moreover, the dynamically distributed
smart
contracting for product transport within a supply chain described in the
present
specification is a solution in the field of computer technology, as it
implements digital
smart contracts in a particular technical context, namely product transport
within a supply
chain, to achieve the specific result of improved transport of physical
objects.
[0028] The present technology may be embodied within a system, a method,
a
computer program product or any combination thereof. The computer program
product
may include a computer readable storage medium or media having computer
readable
program instructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of
the present
technology. The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that
can
retain and store instructions for use by an instruction execution device. The
computer
readable storage medium may be, for example, but is not limited to, an
electronic storage
device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an
electromagnetic storage
device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of the
foregoing.
[0029] A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of the computer
readable
storage medium includes the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard
disk, a
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random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable
read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static random access memory
(SRAM),
a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk
(DVD), a
memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such as punch-cards
or
raised structures in a groove having instructions recorded thereon, and any
suitable
combination of the foregoing. A computer readable storage medium, as used
herein, is
not to be construed as being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or
other freely
propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a
waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulses passing through a
fiber-optic
cable), or electrical signals transmitted through a wire.
[0030] Computer readable program instructions described herein can be
downloaded
to respective computing/processing devices from a computer readable storage
medium or
to an external computer or external storage device via a network, for example,
the
Internet, a local area network, a wide area network and/or a wireless network.
The
network may comprise copper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers,
wireless
transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/or edge
servers. A
network adapter card or network interface in each computing/processing device
receives
computer readable program instructions from the network and forwards the
computer
readable program instructions for storage in a computer readable storage
medium within
the respective computing/processing device.
[0031] Computer readable program instructions for carrying out
operations of the
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present technology may be assembler instructions, instruction-set-architecture
(ISA)
instructions, machine instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode,
firmware
instructions, state-setting data, or either source code or object code written
in any
combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented
programming language or a conventional procedural programming language. The
computer readable program instructions may execute entirely on the user's
computer,
partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on
the user's
computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or
server.
In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's
computer
through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide
area
network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for
example,
through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider). In some embodiments,
electronic circuitry including, for example, programmable logic circuitry,
field-
programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may
execute the
computer readable program instructions by utilizing state information of the
computer
readable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in
order to
implement aspects of the present technology.
100321 Aspects of the present technology have been described above with
reference to
flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems)
and
computer program products according to various embodiments. In this regard,
the
flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture,
functionality, and
operation of possible implementations of systems, methods and computer program
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products according to various embodiments of the present technology. For
instance, each
block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or
portion of
instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions for
implementing the
specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in some
alternative
implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order
noted in the
Figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed
substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the
reverse order,
depending upon the functionality involved. Some specific examples of the
foregoing
may have been noted above but any such noted examples are not necessarily the
only
such examples. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams
and/or
flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams
and/or flowchart
illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems
that perform
the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware
and
computer instructions.
[0033] It also will be understood that each block of the flowchart
illustrations and/or
block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations
and/or block
diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer
readable program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general
purpose
computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing
apparatus to
produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor
of the
computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for
implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block
diagram block or
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blocks.
[0034] These computer readable program instructions may also be stored
in a
computer readable storage medium that can direct a computer, other
programmable data
processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particular manner,
such that the
instructions stored in the computer readable storage medium produce an article
of
manufacture including instructions which implement aspects of the
functions/acts
specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. The computer
readable
program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable
data
processing apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operational steps
to be
performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to
produce a
computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the
computer
or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the
functions/acts
specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
[0035] An illustrative computer system in respect of which the
technology herein
described may be implemented is presented as a block diagram in Figure 4. The
illustrative computer system is denoted generally by reference numeral 400 and
includes
a display 402, input devices in the form of keyboard 404A and pointing device
404B,
computer 406 and external devices 408. While pointing device 404B is depicted
as a
mouse, it will be appreciated that other types of pointing device, or a touch
screen, may
also be used.
[0036] The computer 406 may contain one or more processors or
microprocessors,
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such as a central processing unit (CPU) 410. The CPU 410 performs arithmetic
calculations and control functions to execute software stored in an internal
memory 412,
preferably random access memory (RAM) and/or read only memory (ROM), and
possibly additional memory 414. The additional memory 414 may include, for
example,
mass memory storage, hard disk drives, optical disk drives (including CD and
DVD
drives), magnetic disk drives, magnetic tape drives (including LTO, DLT, DAT
and
DCC), flash drives, program cartridges and cartridge interfaces such as those
found in
video game devices, removable memory chips such as EPROM or PROM, emerging
storage media, such as holographic storage, or similar storage media as known
in the art.
This additional memory 414 may be physically internal to the computer 406, or
external
as shown in Figure 4, or both.
100371 The computer system 400 may also include other similar means for
allowing
computer programs or other instructions to be loaded. Such means can include,
for
example, a communications interface 416 which allows software and data to be
transferred between the computer system 400 and external systems and networks.
Examples of communications interface 416 can include a modem, a network
interface
such as an Ethernet card, a wireless communication interface, or a serial or
parallel
communications port. Software and data transferred via communications
interface 416
are in the form of signals which can be electronic, acoustic, electromagnetic,
optical or
other signals capable of being received by communications interface 416.
Multiple
interfaces, of course, can be provided on a single computer system 400.
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[0038] Input and output to and from the computer 406 is administered by
the
input/output (I/O) interface 418. This I/O interface 418 administers control
of the display
402, keyboard 404A, external devices 408 and other such components of the
computer
system 400. The computer 406 also includes a graphical processing unit (GPU)
420. The
latter may also be used for computational purposes as an adjunct to, or
instead of, the
(CPU) 410, for mathematical calculations.
[0039] The various components of the computer system 400 are coupled to
one
another either directly or by coupling to suitable buses.
[0040] Figure 5 shows an illustrative networked mobile wireless
telecommunication
computing device in the form of a smartphone 500. The smartphone 500 includes
a
display 502, an input device in the form of keyboard 504 and an onboard
computer
system 506. The display 502 may be a touchscreen display and thereby serve as
an
additional input device, or as an alternative to the keyboard 504. The onboard
computer
system 506 comprises a central processing unit (CPU) 510 having one or more
processors
or microprocessors for performing arithmetic calculations and control
functions to
execute software stored in an internal memory 512, preferably random access
memory
(RAM) and/or read only memory (ROM) is coupled to additional memory 514 which
will
typically comprise flash memory, which may be integrated into the smartphone
500 or
may comprise a removable flash card, or both. The smartphone 500 also includes
a
communications interface 516 which allows software and data to be transferred
between
the smartphone 500 and external systems and networks. The communications
interface
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516 is coupled to one or more wireless communication modules 524, which will
typically
comprise a wireless radio for connecting to one or more of a cellular network,
a wireless
digital network or a Wi-Fi network. The communications interface 516 will also
typically enable a wired connection of the smartphone 500 to an external
computer
system. A microphone 526 and speaker 528 are coupled to the onboard computer
system
506 to support the telephone functions managed by the onboard computer system
506,
and a location processor 522 (e.g. including GPS receiver hardware) may also
be coupled
to the communications interface 516 to support navigation operations by the
onboard
computer system 506. One or more cameras 530 (e.g. front-facing and/or rear
facing
cameras) may also be coupled to the onboard computer system 506, as may be one
or
more of a magnetometer 532, accelerometer 534, gyroscope 536 and light sensor
538.
Input and output to and from the onboard computer system 506 is administered
by the
input/output (I/O) interface 518, which administers control of the display
502, keyboard
504, microphone 526, speaker 528, camera 530, magnetometer 532, accelerometer
534,
gyroscope 536 and light sensor 538. The onboard computer system 506 may also
include
a separate graphical processing unit (GPU) 520. The various components are
coupled to
one another either directly or by coupling to suitable buses.
[0041] The terms "computer system", "data processing system" and related
terms, as
used herein, is not limited to any particular type of computer system and
encompasses
servers, desktop computers, laptop computers, networked mobile wireless
telecommunication computing devices such as smartphones, tablet computers, as
well as
other types of computer systems.
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[0042] Thus, computer readable program code for implementing aspects of
the
technology described herein may be contained or stored in the memory 512 of
the
onboard computer system 506 of the smartphone 500 or the memory 412 of the
computer
406, or on a computer usable or computer readable medium external to the
onboard
computer system 506 of the smartphone 500 or the computer 406, or on any
combination
thereof.
[0043] Finally, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of
describing particular
embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the
singular forms
"a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless
the context
clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms
"includes",
"including", "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification,
specify
the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or
components,
but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,
integers, steps,
operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
100441 The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of
all means or
step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any
structure,
material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed
elements
as specifically claimed. The description has been presented for purposes of
illustration
and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the form
disclosed.
Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill
in the art
without departing from the scope of the claims. The embodiment was chosen and
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described in order to best explain the principles of the technology and the
practical
application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand
the technology
for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the
particular use
contemplated.
[0045] One or more currently preferred embodiments have been described
by way of
example. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that a number of
variations and
modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the claims. In
construing
the claims, it is to be understood that the use of a computer to implement the
embodiments described herein is essential.
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